Project Planner / Architectural Historian bei City of Santa Barbara, CA

About the Department

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The mission of the Community Development Department is to assist the public in managing the development of the community in order to protect and preserve the quality of life, promote a sound economic base and appropriate design, and ensure safe construction, all in balance with the constraints of the City’s environment and resources. Read more about the Department of Community Development here.

THE POSITION

The Community Development Department is seeking a passionate and experienced Architectural Historian who is poised to promote and protect Santa Barbara’s unique cultural heritage, fostering civic pride and economic prosperity. In this vital role, the candidate will be at the forefront of preserving the structures that tell our city’s story – from historic districts and landmark buildings to industrial sites and cultural landscapes that define our unique character. 

The Architectural Historian is the City’s qualified professional staff in historic preservation and performs high level professional work in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department with emphasis on architectural history/historic architecture, historic preservation, urban planning, and environmental review.  This person will work with the Historic Landmarks Commission and City Council on the designation of Landmarks and Structures of Merit and coordinate historic preservation program as guided by the City’s Historic Resources Element within the General Plan.  Work in this position is characterized by complex and controversial assignments involving important historic preservation, land use policies, and development standards. 

Under minimal supervision, the Architectural Historian acts as project manager on project review and evaluation, and planning studies related to historic resources requiring extensive policy analysis. The Architectural Historian also makes presentations and represents the City at Board, Commission, City Council, and community interest group meetings. Assignments can include pre-application evaluations, conducting neighborhood surveys, drafting and presenting historic structures evaluations, reviewing projects against the Secretary of the Interior Standards for historic preservation, advising the Historic Landmarks Commission at bi-weekly reviews, updating out of date historic resource reports and surveys, educating the public on the value of historic resources through lectures and social media and other means, and management of the property tax reduction program for historic resources called the Mills Act Program. This position also coordinates, delegates, and reviews the work of project team members, professional consultants, and other planners on complex projects or special studies; explains regulations and procedures; and works with other City Departments and agencies as a representative of the Planning Division. The Architectural Historian is someone who takes initiative and seeks out grant opportunities to fulfill General Plan goals and other community interests. 

This position offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the physical fabric of our city while contributing to planning decisions that will shape our community for generations to come. It is a rare opportunity for a candidate to use their expertise in architectural history and historic preservation for meaningful public service – protecting irreplaceable resources that represent all aspects of cultures of the community, educating the community, and ensuring our city’s historic character thrives. Read more about the City’s Historic Preservation initiatives.

BENEFITS

Position Duties

• Principles and best practices of historic preservation, municipal planning, zoning, policy development, public participation, and environmental issues.
• Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to Historic Preservation and how it relates to Municipal planning and their practical application to local situations.
• Research methods and techniques including researching through historic maps and Sanborn maps, newspapers and City directories, evaluating historic architectural plans and libraries.
• Historic Preservation theory and practice and an understanding of the physical, social and environmental issues of the City and region.

• Write comprehensive and concise reports evaluating historic resources’ historic significance including physical descriptions, historic context, cultural significance, architectural significance, historic integrity analysis and analyzing project impacts on historic resources including alterations, additions and demolitions. 
• Execute photography of historic resources to capture significant details. 
• Communicate clearly and make verbal presentations to Boards, Commissions and City Council.  
• Advise review boards and facilitate public meetings.  
• Coordinate and work with interdepartmental teams on major projects.  
• Read and understand site plans, architectural renderings, and project proposals.
• Apply the California Environmental Quality Act as it relates to historic resources, and Federal, State and Municipal ordinances and guidelines. 
• Perform detailed investigations of historic structures and advise on projects involving historic resources. 
• Administer contracts and oversee work of professional consultants on significant historic resource projects.  
• Review and comment on historic structures reports prepared by outside consultants.
• Conduct public outreach and work with community groups and develop engaging social media content and website updates to connect with and inspire the public. 
• Manage complex development/environmental review projects including the historic resources portion of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).  
• Identify grant opportunities and prepare grant applications to fulfill historic preservation initiatives. 
• Maintain data on historic resources for public records and update data visualization tools including the Santa Barbara Historic Treasures Map. 
• Independently present City policy and guidelines and represent the Planning Division in a variety of public forums.  
• Take initiative and demonstrate flexibility to coordinate and complete new projects as they arise. 
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Stay up-to-date on historic preservation best practices through connection and trainings with state and national historic preservation organizations.
• Recognize and interpret historic resources that reflect the City’s diverse cultural heritage and community history.
• Use personal computers, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications. Learn new skills like basic webpage development after receiving supportive training. 
  

• At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or
• Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.
  

Minimum Qualifications

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. 

The selection process will consist of an initial application screening and an interview of qualified candidates. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is currently one vacancy within the Community Development Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Other Qualifications

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025.