DEFINITION OF THE POSITION
Under general supervision, the Historic Preservation Planner administers complex current and advance planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects involving historic resources. Performs a wide variety of activities to identify, preserve and protect historically and archeologically significant structures, sites, districts, and artifacts through various land use planning strategies, governmental programs, and financial incentives (Mills Act); provides information and assistance to City staff, property owners, developers, contractors, and the public related to best practices for the treatment of historic resources; provides complex and specialized professional assistance to Community Development Department management staff, the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Committee, and other boards and commissions in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews, and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; conducts internal and external training in the area of historic preservation; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from Community Development Department management staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff. Examples of Duties Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Manages through established case processing methods private and public development projects with a wide range of complexity and controversy involving historic resources. Projects are primarily located in the City’s Old Towne Historic District and Eichler Tract Historic Districts, but may also include individual identified historic resources and potential future historic districts.
Interacts and communicates with a variety of individuals and groups at the public service counter, in the field, over the telephone, via written correspondence and emails, at public hearings, and in discussion forums, including other City departments and public agencies, elected and appointed City officials, developers, consultants, architects, engineers, attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents, property owners, and the general public for the purpose of obtaining or providing information, coordinating activities, processing projects, negotiating plan changes, and formulating recommendations related to the City’s historic resources.
Assists project applicants and the general public with the City’s Historic Preservation Program, including:
Responding to general inquiries via phone, email, and public service counter visits. Suggesting alternatives and incentives for rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic resources. Educating the public and other City staff on the City’s cultural heritage and the importance of preserving it. Assisting the public to prepare submittals for design reviews involving historic resources. Performs a wide variety of professional analysis and project coordination activities related to planning design review and historic preservation to preserve and protect historically and archeologically significant structures, sites, districts, and artifacts through various land use planning strategies, governmental programs, and financial incentives including: Review of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations and various sources of information to ensure that public and private projects are in compliance. These laws and regulation include, but are not limited to, the City’s Historic Preservation Design Standards and guidelines, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (Secretary’s Standards), State Historical Building Code, Americans with Disabilities Act exceptions for historic buildings, the City’s General Plan and Zoning, historic resources surveys, National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources criteria for designation of historic resources, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local CEQA guidelines, Subdivision Map Act, Public Resource Code, and Specific Plans. Candidates must be familiar with reviewing projects for conformance with the Secretary’s Standards. Communication with California State Office of Historic Preservation. Preparation of staff reports and recommendations on design review, historic preservation, architecture, and landscape design for entitlement requests. Research and analysis of wide variety of information and data related to the areas of assignment. Review of project submittal package for completeness. Coordination with applicants to obtain additional information and project changes. Preparation of legal notices and posting notices on sites. Participation in public hearings and making presentations. Monitoring implementation measures and conditions of approval. Checking submittals for building plan check. Inspection of development sites through construction and upon completion of the project. Develops and presents information regarding the functions, objectives, and policies of the assigned projects and/or programs to management, Design Review Committee, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards and commissions. Conducts field inspections to evaluate the historical, architectural, and cultural significance of properties, buildings, and sites and documents such visits through photos and written documentation. Maintains and regularly updates City’s inventory of historic resources. Assists in developing and recommending specific design standards and ordinances related to historic resources and compatible new in-fill construction. Provides technical support and advice in architectural design, preservation methodologies, and financial assistance for historic preservation (Mills Act program) to the public and staff. Develops and processes the City’s consulting party responses for projects subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). Conducts policy background research to obtain information for the preparation of staff reports, correspondence, memoranda, policy documents, procedure documents, and presentations to supervisory, inter-departmental staff, or governing bodies. Reads, interprets, analyzes, and explains a wide variety of technical documents, studies, and practices related to historic preservation, cultural resources, archaeological resources, paleontological resources, geotechnics, water quality, air quality, and legislation that may impact the City’s planning. Prepares and releases requests for proposals for technical consultant services; establishes selection criteria; evaluates proposals, and conducts interviews in conformance with City policy; coordinates with and recommends needed contract management provisions and controls; manages and oversees technical consultants’ work products to ensure adherence to City standards and legal provisions; ensures that deliverables are submitted on time and budget and that progress and payment requests are consistent with City policy and contract provisions. Administers the City’s Mills Act Program including conducting regular inspections, communicating with program participants, drafting staff reports, and maintaining associated records. May fill in as a backup staff liaison at Design Review Committee meetings or Planning Commission meetings and provide background and technical assistance to Committee members. Assists in the development and administration of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to historic resources and the division as directed; Evaluates initial studies, mitigated negative declarations, environmental impact reports, and uses the evaluation to formulate a recommendation on projects; Monitors project compliance with environmental document mitigation measures and conditions of approval. Conducts and supervises planning studies as directed; Gathers data for implementing or evaluating current and advance planning projects; makes recommendations. Participates in developing General Plan amendments and updates; Communicates any observed policy deficiencies to management; Provides staff support to a variety of boards and commissions; Attends meetings and participates in professional groups and committees; Provides technical and professional support to departmental management staff and other City departments and the public; Advises other departments regarding planning and/or environmental review requirements, budgets, and timelines to facilitate adequate project planning. Analyzes City’s historic resources to identify potential new historic districts, implements process to obtain recognition for such districts. Performs other duties as assigned. Typical Qualifications Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic resources, including historic architectural styles, design, and local history. Modern principles and practices, technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management. Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to city planning. Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process. Site planning and architectural design principles. General concepts of landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and requirements and related reports. Project management and contract administration principles and techniques. Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and other applicable federal legislation related to historic preservation. Criteria for evaluation of historic resources, including criteria developed by the National Park Service for designation in the National Register of Historic Places and criteria for designation in the California Register of Historical Resources. California Environmental Quality Act provisions related to historic resources. State Historical Building Code. State of California Mills Act Property Tax Abatement program, including methodologies and tax assessments. Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review. Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports. Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work. Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation. Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.
Ability to:
Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions. Read and understand technical plans and specifications and make effective site visits. Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services. Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services. Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations. Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and complex Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, and City planning policies and procedures. Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision. Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals. Plan, implement, manage, and explain the City’s Historic Preservation Program to other City staff, outside agencies, public and private groups, and the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions. Analyze projects for conformance with the Secretary’s Standards and the City’s historic preservation design standards. Implement the City’s Mills Act program. Perform professional analysis and project coordination related to planning design review and historic preservation to preserve and protect historically and archeologically significant structures, sites, districts, and artifacts. Assess, monitor, and report impact on and of various City programs and services on historical preservation efforts. Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required. Direct the work of contract consultants. Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems. Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical and ideal way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, archeology, historic preservation, or a related field; and five (5) years of professional experience in historic preservation, planning, zoning, and related community development activities.
Candidates who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in the areas of historic architecture, architectural history, architecture, or history are highly desirable.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid California class C driver license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance. Supplemental Information Physical Demands:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Working Conditions:
This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee’s physical presence at the workplace. May be required to work various shifts, including, but not limited to, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, at a variety of City locations.
Environmental Elements:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally work in the field and be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Disaster Service Worker:
All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.” In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
City Mission, Vision, and Values:
Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City’s Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City’s values include Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence.
Primary Contact: abusquets@cityoforange.org