Join Our Team - Preservation Coordinator

Summary: The Preservation Coordinator has a diverse and multifaceted role with Preserve RI, providing administrative support to PRI’s Executive Director and for Preserve RI’s preservation programs, events and initiatives. The ideal candidate is a motivated individual who has academic training in historic preservation; a passion for historic buildings and sites; an understanding of historic building technology; familiarity with preservation policy at the federal, state and local levels; strong verbal and written communication skills; enjoys working independently and as a part of a team; is interested in developing creative and adaptable solutions to local and statewide preservation issues; and is excited by the opportunity to work within a small non-profit organization that tackles big preservation challenges every day.

Roles and Responsibilities: The Preservation Coordinator reports to the Executive Director. This full-time, entry level position provides support to PRI’s statewide preservation initiatives including:

• Maintain and update the Community Preservation Response database and assist with community outreach projects, including responding to public inquiries and making site visits.

• Assist with managing the historic preservation matching grant program, including processing/reviewing applications, scheduling and conducting site visits, monitoring awarded projects from start to finish, offering guidance to grantees, and submitting funding reports.

• Assist with Preserve RI’s Preservation Easement program by conducting research, producing baseline documentation, and conducting project review and annual monitoring.  Research grant opportunities; prepare grant applications. Track open grant deadlines; prepare and submit grant reports.

• Serve as the preservation representative on the Preserve RI Communications team by updating the Communications Team on the Preservation Team’s programs and initiatives; reviewing and providing content updates for the Preservation Services webpage; and providing story suggestions and reviewing preservation content for Preserve RI’s e-newsletter.

• Support Preserve RI’s annual Preservation Awards program by providing nominations suggestions; researching nominated properties, fact checking nominations and writing up research; providing jury suggestions; assisting with awardee communications, site visits and project documentation.

• Support Preserve RI’s special projects including advocacy and partner convenings.

• Attend meetings and webinars with Preserve RI’s local and regional partners for collaborative projects and preservation program development.

• Support Preserve RI’s Executive Director in daily operations as well as on all of the above activities.

Required Qualifications:

• BA in historic preservation or related field

• Competence with Microsoft 365 programs and Adobe Acrobat  Strong, proven writing, research and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and to plan, execute and manage multiple concurrent projects with general oversight and guidance

• High degree of initiative; maturity of judgment

• Excellent people skills; ability to work as part of a team

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Positive, up-beat, can-do attitude that embraces new challenges and thrives in a workplace in which no two days are the same

• Must have valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with membership-based, small nonprofit organizations

• Master’s degree in historic preservation or related field

• 2-3 years’ work experience in historic preservation or related field

• Writing experience with a focus on preservation practices and architectural history

• Photography skills

• Experience working with and knowledge of Rhode Island’s historic resources.

To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to Sheryl Hack, Executive Director, at shack@preserveri.org