Historic Preservation Assistant

About the role

Come join an exciting and collaborative team at the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)! Our mission is to identify, protect, and preserve South Dakota's historic and cultural resources. The Historic Preservation Assistant is an integral part of our team and provides support across nearly every program area of the SHPO.

Responsibilities

• Prepare press releases and update the SHPO website.
• Assist with coordination of annual Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month activities, including the Student Essay Contest and Archaeology Camp.
• Assist with the Certified Local Government program and SHPO year-end reporting for the Historic Preservation Fund.
• Provide administrative and program support for National Register of Historic Places and survey activities, historic and cultural resource project reviews, financial incentive programs, special projects, and other historic preservation activities.
• Assist Review & Compliance staff with administrative management of incoming projects, including assigning projects within the Electronic Review and Compliance (ERC) system.
• Create, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, public information materials, and other documents to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Establish, update, and maintain program information, records, and files in various systems.
• Develop familiarity with and assist staff in administering policies, procedures, and processes related to federal and state historic preservation programs.
• Assist Historic Preservation Specialists with administration of federal and state financial incentive programs for historic properties and provide appropriate program information to property owners and the public.
• Assist SHPO staff with special projects, including projects involving contracts with private vendors and partner organizations.
• Provide appropriate administrative and technical assistance, in coordination with SHPO professional staff, to government agencies, organizations, property owners, consultants, and members of the general public.
• Assist with development and dissemination of information about historic preservation programs, funding opportunities, laws, regulations, and preservation activities; help prepare presentations, press releases, website content, educational materials, and public programs.
• Assist with planning and coordination of Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month, the Student Essay Contest, Archaeology Camp, and other SHPO outreach activities and events.
• Obtain and maintain a South Dakota Notary Public commission, if requested, and provide notarial services in support of appropriate office activities.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation, Historic Architecture, Architectural History, History, Public History, Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Relevant education, work, volunteer, or other equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Willing and able to become a commissioned South Dakota Notary Public, if requested.

Skills

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Correspondence – Creates, proofreads, and edits correspondence, reports, public information materials, and other documents to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Databases, Records, and Files – Establishes, updates, and maintains program information, records, and files in various systems. Assists Review