Federal Historian Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The role - what you'll do

Barr is seeking a full-time architectural historian to join and cultivate our growing cultural resource management practice across the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Southwest. Our program offers a wide range of services, including cultural surveys, testing, data recovery, built environment documentation, cultural report preparation, and internal review to support project compliance with local, state, and federal antiquities laws. The person in this position will work with Barr scientists and engineers, clients, regulatory agencies, and other cultural resources professionals to manage projects and address architectural history needs.

A successful candidate for this role enjoys managing multiple deadlines while consistently enacting high-performance standards on a wide variety of projects. They are intrinsically motivated with a client-service mindset and are interested in developing and mentoring other staff. This person can juggle conflicting priorities while working both independently and on a collaborative team.

Your impact - key responsibilities

• Project management: prepare and review scopes of work and budgets for all phases of projects. Oversee architectural history-related projects from inception to completion, including budget and task management.

• Background research: complete thorough background research and prepare historic contexts as necessary for both the Midwest and Four Corners regions.

• Fieldwork: conduct and support built environment field studies.

• Analysis: utilize data from field studies to inventory and perform contextual analysis of aboveground resources.

• Reporting: prepare recommendations of eligibility and reports in alignment with National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) standards. Conduct reviews of reports to ensure quality standards.

• Permitting: assist with permit applications and other technical writing, such as NEPA documentation.

• Staff development: support the growth and development of team members.

• Collaboration: build and sustain strong relationships with clients, regulatory personnel, and internal teams. Collaborate across disciplines to align technical approaches with client goals while contributing to a positive, inclusive team culture.

About the opportunity

• Hybrid: a hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position is based out of Barr's Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, or Washington offices.

• Travel requirement: willingness to travel and periodically adjust personal schedule to meet project and team needs (including up to 30%; needs will vary seasonally and over time).

• Work environment: applicants must be able to work in an office environment and perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants must also be able to work in locations with terrain typical of agricultural and urban sites, as well as in locations with limited accessibility, moving traffic, and other conditions typical of agricultural and urban settings. Job assignments may involve work on historical homesteads, dams, or mine sites. Some work locations may also feature rough terrain, steep slopes, and dense vegetation. An OSHA-mandated physical exam may be required; safety training will be provided.

About you - required core competencies

• Education: master's degree from an accredited college or university in architectural history, historic preservation, public history, history, or a related field.

• Experience: minimum 8 years of experience as an architectural historian.

  • Demonstrated experience with NEPA, Section 106, and other local, state, and federal regulations regarding cultural resources.

  • Experience working through all steps of the Section 106 review process (initiate, identify, assess effects, and resolve adverse effects).

  • Superior writing, editing, and communication skills.

• Permitting: ability to obtain required permits to perform architectural surveys on federal, state, tribal, local, and public land in the Four Corners or Midwest.

• Software: experience using MS Office suite (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook) and cultural resource databases.

• Driver's license: possession of a current, valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future

Helpful additional experience (not required)

• Experience working in a consulting environment.

• Familiarity with architectural styles of the Midwest and/or Southwest.

• Demonstrated success in business development activities, including client engagement and business opportunities.

• Working knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

• Working knowledge of mapping and ArcGIS-related programs.

Compensation

Anticipated range of $86,000-$115,000 annually. Compensation will vary based on relevant experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors. Employees in this position may also be eligible for a discretionary cash bonus based on team and individual performance. This position is classified as exempt (salaried) under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

#LI-Hybrid

Benefits - what we offer

We are committed to providing an employee experience that attracts and retains top talent. That's why we offer a competitive package of employee benefits - including some unique offerings not found at other companies. At Barr, we also believe that learning doesn't stop when you get your degree, which is why we provide coaching, mentoring, and support for ongoing educational opportunities to foster professional development at every stage of your career.

• Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care

• Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock

• Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders

• Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities

• Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave

• Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities

Please note that benefits eligibility is determined and may change based on part-time, reduced-time, or full-time status.

About us - why choose Barr

At Barr, you'll join a community of engineers, scientists, and professionals who will help you achieve your ambitions and build a meaningful, rewarding career. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients who value Barr's tailored solutions and commitment to exceptional service.

As part of our employee-owned firm, you'll contribute to a culture of commitment and camaraderie where staff can thrive as professionals. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our success.

To learn more about Barr's culture and values, visit: https://www.barr.com/Careers/Our-culture

Open positions at Barr Engineering Co. do not have application deadlines. Barr Engineering Co. is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.