Job Description

Requisition No: 884348 

Agency: Department of State

Working Title: HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST - 45001108

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 45001108 

Salary: $42,000 - $45,000 

Posting Closing Date: 10/08/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Department of State

Historic Preservationist

Division of Historical Resources

Director’s Office

Open Competitive

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of experince working in archaeology, anthropology, historic preservation, or architectural history or a closely related field in the social sciences . A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required years of experience. College transcripts must be submitted if using education to qualify.
• Current resueme and cover letter detailing how the applicant’s skills and experience align with the posted position, not to exceed one page in length.
• Three professional references with current and complete contact information.
• Advanced experience using ArcGIS Pro Desktop software and the ability to georeference historic maps and aerial images; digitize points and polygon features; and use other analysis tools for the identification of historic cemeteries. Applicants must submit a work sample (e.g., an .aprx project, geodatabase, or produced map) demonstrating tool-level ArcGIS Pro Desktop competency.
• Knowledge of cemetery studies, including the development, cultural significance, and material characteristics of historic cemeteries and their features.
• Ability to conduct research and apply deductive reasoning to arrive at logical conclusions.
• Ability to travel, conduct site visits, and plan and participate in events related to the program and public outreach.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to accommodate evenings, weekends, and after-hours obligations, including workdays longer than 8 hours.
• Valid Driver's License.

Preferences:

• Master’s degree in anthropology or archaeology
• Experience using online data sources to evaluate and extrapolate data related to Florida’s historic cemeteries.
• Experience using vital records to conduct genealogical and land use research.
• Experience researching historic cemeteries and descendent populations.
• Experience researching historic African American cemeteries.
• Genealogical board certification (CG or CGL).
• Knowledge of Florida’s cemetery laws.
• Knowledge of the National Park Service cemetery preservation standards.
• Direct experience working in the field of Cultural Resource Management.
• Knowledge of the Division of Historical Resources module 3.

Special Note:

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported in your employment history. This position requires hands-on ArcGIS Pro desktop capability (geodatabase design, georeferencing, analysis, and module 3 compliant map production). Candidates whose GIS experience is limited to ArcGIS online story maps, or webmap configuration will not be considered. Applicants must submit a work sample (e.g., an .aprx project, geodatabase, or produced map) demonstrating tool-level ArcGIS Pro Desktop competency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Use aerial imagery, online resources, and archival documentation to identify cemeteries to be added to the Florida Master Site File. Use ArcGIS Pro Desktop software to create maps and conduct analyses.

• Conduct historical research to verify the location of historic and abandoned cemeteries throughout the state as well as research their history for inclusion in the Florida Master Site File.

• Assist with public communication and outreach, including updating the Historic Cemeteries Program page on the State’s website, drafting press releases and social media posts, providing guidance to individuals interested in placement of historical cemetery markers for forgotten, lost, abandoned, or erased cemeteries and communicating the program’s mission, achievements, and future goals to diverse audiences including colleagues, scholars, and the general public.

• Conduct genealogical research to identify both ancestral and living families associated with historic and abandoned cemeteries.
• Contribute to the development of curriculum for K-12 and undergraduate students relating to abandoned and historic cemeteries, with a focus on citizenship, social responsibility, and history.
• Travel to:
  • 1) confirm location and conditions of historic and abandoned cemeteries as reported,
  • 2) conduct outreach to partners and community groups to engage them in research, survey, and recording cemeteries,
  • 3) gather information and oral histories of elders and others knowledgeable about historic and abandoned cemeteries.
• Build and maintain an archive of reference material to include both electronic documents and links to organizations aligned with the program’s mission.
• Provide administrative support to the Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council, including scheduling appointments, planning meetings, compiling agendas, taking meeting minutes, and supporting council travel with assistance from administrative staff in Director’s Office.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of cemetery studies, including the development, cultural significance, and material characteristics of historic cemeteries and their features.
• Advanced experience using ArcGIS Pro Desktop software and ability to georeference historic maps and aerial imagery; digitize points and polygon features; and use other analysis tools for the identification of historic cemeteries.
• Ability to use vital records such as census records, death records and deeds to conduct geological and land use research.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications and the ability to learn new software as needed.
• Ability to conduct research and apply deductive reasoning to arrive at logical conclusions.
• Ability to apply cross-disciplinary research methodologies to research historical sites and the individuals associated with them.
• Ability to communicate and convey ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, work effectively in a team environment, establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, subordinates, and superiors.
• Ability to travel, conduct site visits, and plan and participate in events related to the program and public outreach.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to accommodate evenings, weekends, and after-hours obligations, including workdays longer than 8 hours.
• Ability to stoop, squat, reach, bend, stretch, crawl, climb and/or twist.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Ability to work in densely vegetated and remote areas.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS : A Level 2 criminal background check is a condition of employment. If selected for this position, you must provide your fingerprints. We will send your fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal background check.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

We are committed to enhancing our workforce through the employment of Veterans and individuals with disabilities and seek qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, abilities, skills, and talents to join our workforce.

Male applicants born on or after January 1, 1960, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. 

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

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