HISTORIC PRESERVATION SENIOR TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - 05122026-77443

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is located in the Environment Division - Technical Studies - Cultural Resources - Historic Preservation Section.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/EnvironmentalDivision-TechnicalStudiesSection-CulturalResources-Historic-SeniorTechnical.pdf

This position is designed as hybrid 3 days in office, 2 days remote, following onboarding and training.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree and 3 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description.

OR

Master's degree and 2 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description.

Necessary Special Qualifications for Senior Technical Specialist

Some positions in these classifications may have additional requirements such as:

• Professional licenses and/or certifications
• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid for use in operating vehicles in the State of Tennessee

Any necessary special qualifications will be denoted in the position description.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

The required KSACs for TDOT Senior Technical Specialist include:

• Skilled in communicating effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Skilled in the application of engineering principles
• Skilled in the application of transportation finance principles
• Skilled in the application of state and federal regulations to transportation projects
• Skilled in technical report writing
• Skilled in the development of contract principles and applications
• Skilled in the ability to maintain effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external in a professional and courteous manner
• Skilled in the ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to follow, provide, and support verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with precision and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to work in project teams
• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to analyze a process and offer actionable feedback for use in improving the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the existing process

Conditions of Employment

• Incorporating overtime, weekends, and night shifts into their schedules as work schedules dictate
• Extended durations outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Working in and around construction and vehicular traffic
• Walking on uneven terrain
• Climbing ladders and construction scaffolding
• Carrying equipment and samples in excess of 25 pounds
• Driving long distances as required to perform daily duties
• Performing work in which personal protective equipment will be required to be worn
• Sitting for extended periods while driving or working on computers
• Standing for extended periods while working outdoors or in a laboratory setting

Overview

The Historic Preservation Senior Technical Specialist will work independently and in a team setting, providing support and expertise to the Cultural Resources Unit, Technical Studies Section, Project Teams, and the Department. This position will assist the Cultural Resources Team Lead by providing the Project Teams with technically sound and timely historic preservation information and deliverables while ensuring compliance with Federal and State requirements pertaining to identification, classification, assessment, documentation, and interagency consultation of historic properties for TDOT projects. This position will apply Quality Assurance/Quality Control processes for cultural resources-related products, implement best practices, and mentor and train the team's Historic Preservation Technical Specialist. This position will effectively coordinate with other Sections within the Department in developing cultural studies documents. This position will assist the Cultural Resources Team Lead and Statewide Technical Specialist with the planning and implementation of the Technical Studies Section performance metrics/plans, schedules and budgets, development of various technical reports, and assurance of continuity and consistency.

The Historic Preservation Senior Technical Specialist role requires collaboration with TDOT Divisions, Project Teams, consultants, contractors, and external stakeholders. This position must effectively articulate technical concepts as part of a matrix organization and through training and mentoring. The Historic Preservation Senior Technical Specialist will assist with ensuring all Cultural Resources Section deliverables are applicable and readily accessible to assist with timely, accurate, and efficient decision-making. This position requires critical thinking with a focus on problem-solving to make well-informed decisions that increase the safety, performance, sustainability, and efficient delivery of TDOT's transportation system.

Responsibilities

Assist with ensuring TDOT compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act and all other relevant state and federal laws and regulations governing historic preservation resources.

Review applicable TDOT projects to identify and assess effects to historic buildings, structures, districts, or other places that are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Assist in developing avoidance, minimization, or mitigation of adverse effects measures to identified historic preservation resources within a projects Area of Potential Effect (APE).

Consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), local governments, and with federally recognized Native American Tribes with an interest in Tennessee. Provide documentation of cultural studies to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Section 106 consulting parties, local governments, and the public at-large consistent with the Project Delivery Network (PDN).

As assigned, participate in Project Teams as part of a matrix organization consistent with the Project Delivery Network (PDN), delivering all products and services as required and providing input at all applicable project milestones, including Project Kickoff, Risk Workshops, Project Scoping Meetings, Field Reviews, and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) Meetings.

Assist the Project Teams by providing expertise for avoidance, minimization, or mitigation of adverse effects measures to identified historic resources, as applicable.

Remain current with applicable State and Federal Regulations that impact the deliverables developed by the Cultural Resources Unit. Provide mentoring to TDOT staff, consultants, and local agencies with respect to the Cultural Resources Unit.

Provide workload information to assist with the development of consultant acquisition plans and assist in the oversight of external partners by serving on selection committees for cultural resources services, including assisting with scope of work development, attending project-specific marketing meetings, assisting with determining scoring criteria, assisting with project information sessions, when applicable, serving as a scorer as part of the consultant acquisition process, and attending de-briefs for consultants where usable feedback must be provided.

Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers by exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively. Ensure successful strategic partnerships with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and local agencies to effectively implement TDOT's vision statewide.

Assist in ensuring Cultural Resources deliverables are consistent, predictable, and repeatable to provide for high levels of achievement, mitigation of risk, and an established track record of success.