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Historic Preservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$1.3K/wk

Position Information Recruitment/Posting Title Coadjutant Instructors, Historic Preservation Department History Salary Details A minimum of $1,388.50 per credit. Offer Information The final salary ...

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How much do historic preservation jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for historic preservation in the United States is $29.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is historic preservation?

Historic preservation is the practice of identifying, protecting, and maintaining buildings, sites, structures, or objects that have historical, cultural, or architectural significance. Professionals in this field work to ensure that important heritage resources are conserved for future generations, often through restoration, adaptive reuse, or legal protections. Their work may involve research, community engagement, and collaboration with government agencies or private organizations. The ultimate goal is to maintain the character and integrity of historical places while allowing them to remain functional and relevant.

What is historic preservation?

Historic preservation is a process that works to preserve, conserve, and protect any objects, landscapes, buildings, or other artifacts of notable historical significance. It applies specifically to constructed or human-altered things, not the preservation of wilderness or forests. Historic preservation has an active educational component, and locations like museums help to preserve documents, tools, and other items too small to be protected as an independent site. Jobs in this field also help to repair damaged items, research the history and methods of their use, create records of historical findings, and otherwise preserve things for as long as possible. For larger areas, such as historic homes or districts, this may involve a significant amount of carpentry, painting, or other household repair work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a historic preservationist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Historic Preservationist, you typically need a background in architecture, history, or urban planning, often supported by a relevant degree or certification in historic preservation. Familiarity with tools like AutoCAD, GIS mapping, and knowledge of preservation standards such as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties is essential. Attention to detail, strong research abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with stakeholders and advocating for preservation efforts. These skills ensure the accurate restoration, protection, and sustainable management of culturally significant sites.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in historic preservation roles?

Professionals in historic preservation often encounter challenges such as balancing the need to maintain the historical integrity of structures while integrating modern building codes and accessibility standards. Securing adequate funding and navigating complex regulatory requirements can also pose obstacles, especially when working with multiple stakeholders like government agencies, property owners, and community groups. Additionally, professionals must stay informed about evolving preservation technologies and sustainable practices to ensure the longevity of historic sites. Collaboration and adaptability are key skills for overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Historic Preservation vs Archaeologist?

AspectHistoric PreservationArchaeologist
Required CredentialsPreservation certifications, historic preservation degreesArchaeology degrees, fieldwork experience
Work EnvironmentHistoric sites, museums, government agenciesExcavation sites, research labs, museums
Employer & IndustryGovernment, non-profits, cultural agenciesResearch institutions, universities, museums

While both roles focus on cultural heritage, Historic Preservation primarily involves conserving and restoring historic structures and sites, often working with legal and community stakeholders. Archaeologists focus on excavating and studying ancient artifacts and sites to understand past civilizations. Both careers require related credentials and often collaborate, but their daily tasks and environments differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Historic Preservation jobs?

Cities with the most Historic Preservation job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Historic Preservation jobs?

The most popular types of Historic Preservation jobs are:

What states have the most Historic Preservation jobs?

States with the most job openings for Historic Preservation jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Historic Preservation jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Historic Preservation jobs are:

Infographic showing various Historic Preservation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,552 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Sr Historic Preservation Specialist - 90358321 - Philadelphia

Amtrak

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Amtrak rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 148 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 101 rated public transport


Job description

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America's workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of 'Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First' are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, 'Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security' are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Historic Preservation Specialist position serves as a subject matter expert regarding historic preservation regulatory compliance for Amtrak's projects with federal involvement. This position provides technical expertise to support fulfillment of requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, and its implementing regulations under 36 CFR 800 (Section 106), and related historic preservation regulations, as required for Amtrak's nationwide capital program and other company initiatives. This position is responsible for guiding typical projects through the Section 106 process for which above-ground historic properties are the primary resource type in coordination with other regulations, internal customers and outside stakeholders, on schedule, with limited supervision. Work includes facilitating and tracking historic preservation approvals; providing historic preservation technical support and guidance to Amtrak's staff and design/technical consultants regarding regulatory procedures and application of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties; conducting technical reviews of consultant submittals; functioning as the project point of contact on historic preservation regulatory matters; and collaborates with the Amtrak National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff to coordinate historic preservation compliance with NEPA processes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Conducts project screening related to cultural resources, evaluates regulatory pathways - including application of program comments and other program alternatives, and guides Section 106 compliance for projects from screening through construction
  • Guides Section 106 consultation for routine projects and some more complex projects, and may assist senior staff with Section 106 tasks related to particularly intensive or complex projects
  • Coordinates with Amtrak staff and design consultants to provide procedural direction, expectations for deliverables, and technical review of/quality control for Section 106 analyses and communications
  • Works with architects, engineers, and others to develop design strategies in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
  • Educates internal project stakeholders and others on the Section 106 process and related requirements
  • Serves as Amtrak's project point of contact for State Historic Preservation Offices and other consulting parties related to Section 106 consultation for assigned projects
  • Works with Amtrak NEPA staff to coordinate reviews and maintain a record of the Section 106 and NEPA status of Amtrak projects in Amtrak electronic systems  
  • Stays current on changes to Section 106 and related historic preservation regulations, policies, and tools as they relate to Amtrak projects

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in architectural history, historic preservation or related field or equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
  • Experience that meets the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Architectural History (36 CFR 61) (https://www.nps.gov/articles/sec-standards-prof-quals.htm)
  • Prior experience supporting historic preservation aspects of all phases of project development and delivery including planning, scoping, design, and construction in a fast-paced environment with projects ranging in size and complexity, including managing/guiding consultants and serving as subject matter expert/technical representative.
  • 3 years of prior experience required 

PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Graduate degree in architectural history, historic preservation or related field preferred.
  • Familiarity with historic railroad stations, bridges, and other rail infrastructure
  • Familiarity with the ACHP's Program Comment to Exempt Consideration of Effects to Rail Properties Within Rail Rights-of-Way, as amended
  • Familiarity with USDOT agency NEPA procedures, coordinating Section 106 with NEPA, and contributing to NEPA documents
  • Familiarity with Federal Communications Commission nationwide programmatic agreements and Positive Train Control Program Comment, and other non-USDOT federal agency Section 106 and NEPA procedures that may be relevant to railroad projects.
  • Familiarity with Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act
  • Working knowledge of GIS software and use for cultural resources data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES 

  • Strong organizational and time management skills, and demonstrated experience working simultaneously on multiple projects with competing schedules and priorities; able to set and follow through on priorities and adhere to project schedules
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication, and relationship building skills, with demonstrated experience closely coordinating with environmental and archaeological colleagues, project managers, and varied technical disciplines
  • Demonstrated experience providing technical support to internal colleagues and leadership
  • Demonstrated experience interacting with regulators and consulting parties
  • Demonstrated experience preparing Section 106 studies and related documentation, and successfully leading the Section 106 consultation process
  • Demonstrated experience evaluating properties for National Register eligibility and assessing effects on historic properties resulting in agency concurrence 
  • Ability to understand architectural and engineering drawings and specifications
  • Demonstrated experience applying the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties resulting in a no adverse effect finding under Section 106.
  • Comfortable using enterprise tracking systems, spreadsheets, or other electronic tools to manage and document project status and workflow
  • Ability to clearly explain the Section 106 process to those not knowledgeable in historic preservation-related regulatory issues or procedures; enjoys educating others.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and strong quality control skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

  • Work is office-based with periodic travel to project sites at stations, facilities, or along the railroad right-of-way, primarily in the Northeast Corridor but also potentially nationwide.

The salary/hourly range is $78,600.00 - $101,844.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee's assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee's base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. 

Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K with Employer Match Generous Paid Time Off  Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care Health Savings Account Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Fertility and Family Building Benefits No-cost Personal Health Advocate Student Loan Assistance Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Tuition and Education Reimbursement Paid Family Leave   Life Insurance Rail Pass Privileges   Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance Employee Assistance Program   No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:167038

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.


Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.


In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. 1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.


Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.


Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.


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About Amtrak

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As we move America's workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Industry

Travel arrangement services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

1971