Senior Project Historian

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB’s Environmental Planning Group in Raleigh is seeking a Senior Historian to work with our expanding team. Key responsibilities include historic resource survey and the preparation of environmental and planning-related documents for transportation, energy, and land development projects.

This position requires periodic outdoor work with limited travel. Strong written and verbal communication skills are paramount, and the ideal candidate must be detail-oriented with the ability to effectively convey technical information. Strong organizational skills are essential, and the candidate must be able to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and manage cultural resource identification and evaluation surveys for public and private sector clients
• Coordinate Section 106 and other applicable federal, state, and local historic preservation reviews for transportation, energy and land development projects
• Provide technical fulfillment for cultural resource components of environmental and planning-related documents, including resource identification and assessment of project-related impacts
• Assist History Practice Leader in consultation and negotiation with SHPOs, government officials, and consulting parties
• Manage the completion of history-related tasks, including the coordination and completion of surveys and assessment of effects
• Support other VHB departments and regional offices with historic preservation planning, site history research, and compliance services
• Assist scoping, managing, tracking projects, preparing proposals, and marketing group services within and outside VHB

Preferred Skills and Attributes

• Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualifications and possess a Masters Degree in Architectural History, Preservation, or a related field
• Knowledge of federal and state cultural resources and historic preservation statutes and regulations, including Section 106 and National Register criteria is required
• Excellent research, writing, editing, and photographic abilities
• Experience with building research, and knowledge of architectural styles, forms, building materials, and periods of development
• Knowledge of the history and architecture of North Carolina
• Experience in preparing Section 106 documentation for the North Carolina SHPO and/or the North Carolina Department of Transportation is strongly preferred
• Ability to read and interpret aerial photography and maps, including construction and right-of-way plans

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of planning and compliance experience
• A bachelor’s degree in architectural History, Historic Preservation Planning, or closely related discipline (e.g., Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Urban Design/Studies, Regional Planning, Sustainability Planning, Economics, Aviation, Civil Engineering, Urban Transportation Planning); Master's degree preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, Google Earth, Adobe and GIS software is required

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in Raleigh, NC, is $90,000 to $115,000. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program. 

Annual base salary is one component of VHB’s Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs. 

Details on VHB’s benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist  

Building what’s next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people‑driven, future‑ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you’ll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We’re growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what’s next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.  

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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