Job Description
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Director of Development Services, this position provides overall administration and program direction for Historic Preservation and the Planning programs. This position will work and assist departments of the City in matters affecting historic preservation, urban design and also serve as a representative of the City to residents and organizations engaged in historic resource protection. The position will also provide primary administrative functions to Historic Review Board and back up administrative assistance to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. In addition, the position assists in the development and implementation of planning policies and has considerable contact with representatives of government, community groups, developers, business organizations and the general public.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Historic Preservation
• Serves as Historic Preservation Officer for the Certified Local Government program.
• Reviews Certificate of Appropriateness applications for completeness, performs administrative reviews where applicable and submits recommendations to the Historic Review Board.
• Translates the goals and objectives of the Historic Review Board into programs, projects and activities.
• Coordinates special events and maintains schedule of events/ceremonies such as Preservation Month events;
• Provides historic preservation public education.
• Provides technical assistance, conducts research and makes recommendations relating to the review of historical preservation plans and associated reports.
• Reviews building plans that are located within the national or local historic districts and properties that are designated as landmarks.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER/SENIOR PLANNER Page 2
City of Fredericksburg, TX HPO/Sr Planner Updated: 6/2023
• Prepares narrative staff reports and recommendations of limited complexity, such as
historic landmark designations.
• Develops policies and procedures to implement the City’s adopted historic preservation
ordinance and related ordinances.
Planning
• Develops and creates informative outreach efforts regarding historic preservation and
city planning initiatives.
• Applies for grants, awards and actively participates in planning and historic preservation
programs.
• Prepares maps, charts, and tables of limited complexity.
• Collects and interprets research data related to zoning and historic preservation.
• Assists in the Formula Business Ordinance.
• Assists with the adoption and implementation of Comprehensive Plan and subsequent
ordinance and plan adoption.
• Assists in the effort to further link downtown with uptown.
• Assists in the implementation of the Design Standards and Guidelines for Entry Corridors
• Attends public meetings, assisting other planning staff as appropriate.
• Reviews mapping, descriptions and presentations for HRB.
• Provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public in the
administration of specific planning program areas or ordinances.
• Investigates violations of historic preservation ordinances, including site visits.
Administrative
• Prepares press releases for the departments.
• Maintains records of receipts and expenses.
• Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file
management, copying and answering telephone.
• Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, hard copy files and records.
• Researches and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple
sources.
• Processes invoices in payment (direct payment request, requisition and purchase orders)
ensuring the correct budgets are billed.
• Performs other work as needed or required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Architecture, Social
Science, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related planning field. Four years of full-time
professional work experience in municipal planning. Experience in design review in historic
districts is strongly preferred. Preference for American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
certification or ability to obtain within agreed upon time frame.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER/SENIOR PLANNER
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of advanced planning principles.
• Must be innovative, detail-oriented, experienced in highly visible/controversial projects
• Capable of managing multiple, high-priority assignments
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships with staff, officials, and
stakeholders and to resolve complaints.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic
techniques in practical situations.
• Reading comprehension to understand technical and legal materials.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Knowledge of state laws regarding planning activities.
• Must be able to attend various evening meetings, as assigned.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite and ArcGIS preferred.
• Knowledge of government organization and administration.
• Knowledge of principles, objectives and procedures of governmental planning,
programming, and research.
• Knowledge of historic preservation practices.
• Knowledge of local codes and ordinances.
• Knowledge of Texas Local Government Code.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers
and applicable software.
• Knowledge of the requirements of retaining and maintaining public records and related
documents.
• Knowledge of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and their application to local
historic properties.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials,
commissions, boards and committees, and other employees and the general public.
• Ability to facilitate and mediate groups and individuals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with management, employees and the
public, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in applying statistical tools to date.
• Skill in preparing accurate reports.
• Skill in collecting and analyzing demographics and statistics.
• Skill in evaluating planning material.
• Skill in conducting research.
• Skill in reading reports, plans, legal documents and memos.
• Skill in writing reports, plans, newsletter articles, resolutions and ordinances.
• Skill in interpreting zoning ordinances and site plans.
• Skill in analyzing complex problems and developing positive courses of action.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
City of Fredericksburg, TX HPO/Sr Planner Updated: 6/2023
• Standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, vision, hearing, talking, use of foot controls.
• Occasional exposure to weather extremes and insects when performing fieldwork.
• Climb stairs, maneuver around/within deteriorating structures during site visits and inspections, long distance walking (during tours), standing for long period of time.
• Physical stamina to sustain long workdays, including evening meetings, as necessary.
• Must use eyes, ears, hands and fingers to perform assigned duties and responsibilities; occasional lifting over 20 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Primarily office environment but some work is performed outdoors as required.
Under direction of the Director of Development Services, this position provides overall administration and program direction for Historic Preservation and Planning programs. This position will work and assist departments of the City in matters affecting historic preservation and urban design and also serve as a representative of the City to residents and organizations engaged in historic resource protection. The position will provide primary administrative functions to Historic Review Board and back up administrative assistance to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. In addition, the position assists in the development and implementation of planning policies and has considerable contact with representatives of government, community groups, developers, business organizations, and the general public. Requirements include Bachelor's degree in Planning, Architecture, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related planning field and four years of full-time professional experience in municipal planning. Experience in design review for historic districts is strongly preferred. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, or ability to obtain within agreed upon time frame, is required. For additional information contact Anna Hudson, Director of Development Services, at 830-990-7521, or ahudson@fbgtx.org.