Assistant Historic Preservation Officer

This position is responsible for professional and technical work assisting the Historic Preservation Officer in overseeing the City’s historic preservation and museum activities, including operations and programming endeavors. Responsibilities include reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations to the Historic Preservation Officer for consideration by the Historic Preservation Board. Work involves administrative support in coordinating the activities of the Historic Preservation Board, Pinewood Cemetery Advisory Board, and Coral Gables Merrick House Governing Board or other related boards or committees. Exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment under the general direction of the Historic Preservation Officer. 

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  

Assists in the preparation of the department’s annual budget and in the supervision of staff. Assists in the development of programs, prioritizing assignments and ensuring completion of departmental goals. 

Assists in identifying current and developing issues impacting the preservation of historic resources and recommends to the Historic Preservation Officer measures to enforce the provisions of the historic preservation regulations as related to the historical resources of the City.  

Provides administrative support to the Historic Preservation Board including schedules, agendas, and proper notifications.  

Under the direction of the Historic Preservation Officer, provides educational material and instruction to members of the Historic Preservation Board, general public, students, and other municipalities.  

Prepares designation reports, which establish and define the historic significance and character of the proposed designated historic landmarks and historic landmark districts and all other items as described in the preservation ordinance, under the direction of the Historic Preservation Officer.  

Assists in the preparation of the National Register of Historic Places nomination proposals.  

Provides applicable advice, standards, guidelines, and procedures to prospective applicants for Certificates of Appropriateness for historic landmarks or historic landmark districts.  

Reviews applications for Certificates of Appropriateness, which may include a field check of the site and referral to other departments or agencies as necessary, to determine any adverse effect upon the public welfare; and makes recommendations to the Historic Preservation Officer to approve or deny standard Certificates of Appropriateness.  

Maintains a survey and record of unique historically or architecturally significant sites, districts, or zones within the City.  

Maintains and updates an official inventory delineating historic landmarks and photographic documentation of all officially designated historic landmarks and historic landmark districts.  

Prepares summary reports of all decisions on applications for all Certificates of Appropriateness for designated historic landmarks and historic landmark districts including criteria and conditions for approval or denial.  

Reviews final development plans for designated historic landmarks or historic landmark districts, for compliance with terms and conditions of applicable Certificates of Appropriateness, prior to consideration for approval by the Historic Preservation Officer.  

Works with state, county, other local governments, other City departments, public agencies, and private groups as required providing a continuing effort to protect and preserve significant elements of the manmade and the natural environment through public education and encouragement of sound conservation policies.   

Conducts research and evaluates the historical significance of properties.  

Assists in the preparation of articles for publication and coordination of television programs about Coral Gables history.  

Maintains the City’s archives, including the photographic collection.  

Assists in the preparation of grant proposals; monitors compliance with awarded grants.  

Performs other related duties as assigned.