SENIOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION SPECIALIST (RIHPHC) HISTORIAN/PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage
Commission (RIHPHC), to perform difficult and complex professional historic preservation planning work
within the area of specialization indicated in the title of the class of position; to be responsible for the
preparation of studies, plans, and reports, as well as phases of major projects; and/or to be responsible for
the review of projects undertaken by other state or federal agencies, including the assessment of impacts on
historic resources; and/or to be responsible for agency public information, events, programs; and to do
related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a superior with some degree of
latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent professional judgement; work assignments are
received in outline form as to objectives and the utilization of appropriate methods and processes; work is
reviewed upon completion for results attained, professional and technical adequacy to desired objectives
and goals.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: As required, collaborates with and reviews the activities of consultants
and professional, technical and clerical personnel assigned to assist.Within the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), to perform
difficult and complex professional historic preservation planning work within the area of specialization
indicated in the title of the class of position; to be responsible for the preparation of studies, plans, and
reports, as well as phases of major projects; and/or to be responsible for the review of projects undertaken
by other state or federal agencies, including the assessment of impacts on historic resources; and/or to be
responsible for agency public information, events, programs; and to do related work as required.
To coordinate the work of one of the agency’s main program areas: survey and National Register of
Historic Places; archeology; environmental review; or public information.
To perform studies encompassing a complete phase of a major project, a survey or site report, a
National Register of Historic Places nomination; a special project or an implementation program in the areas
of archeology, architectural history, history, historical architecture and other topics which involve the
physical development, management, or protection of historical resources.
To obtain and analyze data from fieldwork and primary and secondary sources, detail action
programs, and identify legislative and other implementation requirements.
To work closely with cooperating agencies, committees, and interest groups in carrying out various
activities associated with historic preservation programs, projects, and services.
To obtain input from such sources and to include this input in various studies.
To present completed studies to governmental bodies and the public.
To review materials such as permit and grant applications, technical reports, and environmental
impact statements for technical adequacy, subject matter coverage, and conformance to policies and
recommendations, and to make recommendations for acceptance, modification or disapproval.
To do related work as required.

To serve as a source within the Commission for the preparation, review, and release of public
information and media; to write news releases; to serve as a point of contact with news media; to design,
create content, and publish to website and electronic newsletters; to create content for and monitor social
media accounts.
To assist in the preparation, coordination, and promotion of public programs that promote historic
preservation and provide preservation training.
To work with consultants and partners in planning and production of public programs and trainings.
To provide communications for public programs organized by other staff.
To assist with compiling answers to requests from the public and government agencies for
information, public records, research, and resources; to be responsible for posting public meetings and for
hosting them virtually (as required); to complete and share research and resources.
To review and make recommendations on National Register of Historic Places nominations, State
Preservation Grant applications, Certified Local Government grant applications, Awards nominations, and
work products by consultants for technical accuracy and completeness.
To represent the Executive Director at meetings and decision-making panels of other agencies and
organizations.
To contribute to special projects development; to research new programs and policies of the
Commission.
To assist with the organization, coordination, and promotion of special events for the Commission
and its partners.

As described in the job specification, the Historian/Public Information Coordinator is responsible for compiling, managing, and disseminating information in a variety of formats, both within the RIHPHC and externally. In so doing, the Historian/Public Information Coordinator facilitates the effective implementation of the RIHPHC’s various program areas; educates others, including government entities, non-profit organizations, and the public, about the RIHPHC’s activities; and promotes a general understanding of historic preservation principles and practices. The Historian/Public Information Coordinator should have excellent analytical and organizational skills, as well as the ability to communicate and work effectively with a range of audiences. 

 

In addition to the “illustrated examples of work performed” included in the job specification, the Historian/Public Information Coordinator’s responsibilities include: 

 

• Establishing effective systems for gathering data about activity across RIHPHC program areas. 
• Investigating and implementing a multi-year public outreach strategy for the RIHPHC, in coordination with staff, Commissioners, and other stakeholders 
• Compiling and analyzing informational data for use by RIHPHC staff, Commissioners, or other stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of the RIHPHC’s programs and to inform policy.
• Coordinating the RIHPHC’s response to requests made through the Access to Public Records Act, to ensure agency compliance. 
• Serving as the RIHPHC’s primary resource on the Open Meetings Act, to ensure agency compliance.
• Preparing and disseminating minutes of the meetings of the RIHPHC and the Rhode Island State Historical Preservation Review Board. 
• Conducting research and fieldwork on individual historic properties, groups of properties, and/or general topics related to Rhode Island’s historic resources and their preservation.