Cultural Resource Specialist and Architectural Historian

The mission of Argonne’s Environmental Science Division (EVS) is to provide pioneering fundamental and multidisciplinary research and innovative analyses to solve global to local challenges, applying our core competency in predictive environmental understanding.

The Environmental Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a highly organized individual with a strong work ethic to serve as a Cultural Resource Specialist and Architectural Historian in the Sociocultural Systems Department. This position requires 20-25% travel, both domestic and international. Previous government agency (DOE, DoD, DOI) work experience a plus.

The position will largely involve fieldwork, archival research, site evaluation and recordation, and preparation of technical reports, but could also entail project management, staff oversight, and business development.

Job activities will include:

• Conduct field inventories and surveys, historical research, and historic resource analysis to document historic properties and assess project effects pursuant to Section 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• Complete historic property research at the State Historic Preservation Offices or on their online databases, and other archival facilities

• Document historic properties in accordance with Historic American Building Survey/Historic American Engineer Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey (HABS/HAER/HALS) standards and guidelines

• Evaluate significance and eligibility of historic properties for listing in local registers and the National Register of Historic Places and provide clear, detailed, and defensible eligibility recommendations with supporting materials (photographs, drawings, and maps)

• Prepare a variety of written materials and summaries, including historic contexts, resource analyses, historic property inventory forms, and sections of technical reports

• Prepare different types of complete reports, including: Historic Structure Reports, Historic Building Inventory and Evaluation Reports, Environmental Impact Assessments, Condition Assessments, Preservation Plans, National Register Nominations, and HABS/HAER/HALS documentation

• Develop solutions for a variety of technical problems of moderate scope and complexity

• Develop potential mitigation measures for historic properties

• Simultaneously manage deliverables on many ongoing projects, as well as complete assignments on-time and within budget

• At times, travel on short notice (one week or less).

Position Requirements

​Required skills and qualifications:

• Excellent knowledge of social science research skills including knowledge of historical research, archaeological and architectural techniques, and/or regional cultural history

• Keen attention to detail and excellent writing skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills including the ability to prioritize, organize and handle multiple assignments simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, while being detail oriented and using sound independent judgment to accomplish tasks

• Considerable skill in analyzing data and formulating sound conclusions that will withstand the intense scrutiny of professional peers and legal experts

• Effective verbal and written communication skills required to interact effectively, tactfully, and discreetly with all internal/external contacts

• Skill in establishing effective working relationships with colleagues and sponsors

• Ability to work under limited supervision and formulate procedures and practices within the department

• Knowledge of historic preservation laws and documentation procedures

• Knowledge of HABS/HAER/HALS process

• Knowledge of the NEPA process

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Adobe, and PowerPoint (MS Access skill also a plus)

• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork

Preferred skills and qualifications:

• Graduate-level degree in architectural history, public history, archaeology, historic preservation, or related field.
• One to three years of experience working in the field.

• Meet the "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Architectural History, Archeology, and Historic Preservation".

The selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level dependent upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge and skills brought to the position, as well as the amount of relevant experience. The requirements of the various levels are as follows:

• RD1: Bachelor’s or Master's degree and 0+ years of experience

• RD2: Bachelor’s and 5+ years of experience, or Master’s and 3+ years, or Doctorate and 0+ years.

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As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination.