Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Manager

Job Overview

Help lead one of the nation’s most progressive cultural resources programs. Pima County is seeking a Cultural Resources & Historic Preservation Manager to help lead a nationally recognized public‑sector preservation program in Southern Arizona. This is more than a traditional compliance role. The successful candidate will help guide how archaeology, historic preservation, tribal engagement, environmental planning, design, infrastructure delivery, and public stewardship come together early in the project‑development process.

As part of Pima County’s Conservation Lands and Resources Department, you will join an interdisciplinary team working across a conservation‑land network of more than 250,000 acres. While the position’s primary focus is cultural resources compliance, the work connects preservation, conservation, planning, and public infrastructure to protect archaeological sites, historic places, cultural landscapes, and the broader resources that define Southern Arizona.

Working with the Pima County Historic Preservation Officer, this manager will oversee countywide regulatory review, mentor professional staff, guide complex public and private‑sector projects, and work directly with tribal governments, agencies, planners, architects, engineers, developers, and the Tucson‑Pima County Historical Commission.

This is an opportunity to lead meaningful work, shape policy and practice, and help advance a program that goes beyond minimum compliance.

• Supervises and mentors compliance program staff by assigning tasks, tracking progress, providing professional development, and conducting performance evaluations to ensure effective regulatory compliance.
• Oversees County‑wide compliance with federal, state, and local preservation laws including the National Historic Preservation Act and the Arizona Antiquities Act for both County projects and private sector activities.
• Assists in implementing Pima County Board of Supervisors Policy C3.17 requiring cultural resource protection, ensuring documentation and reporting accuracy.
• Manages compliance databases and GIS mapping systems, maintaining accurate and secure records.
• Assists the Historic Preservation Officer by serving as a point of contact between Pima County and local, state, and federal agencies, tribal governments, and the Tucson‑Pima County Historical Commission.
• Present County projects for regulatory review and oversees Historic Zone and Landmark Zone designation applications.
• Advise developers, planners, and architects on integrating historic preservation into their projects.
• Support educational initiatives and partnerships to enhance public awareness of cultural resource compliance and preservation.

Graduate degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) from an accredited college or university in history, archaeology, anthropology, historic preservation, or a closely related field as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND three years’ experience in cultural resources management, historic preservation or a related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment INCLUDING two years of supervisory and/or managerial experience.

Also, meets Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology or architectural history or historic architecture. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.) Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

• Advanced cultural resources regulatory compliance leadership: demonstrated experience with complex, multi‑jurisdictional cultural resources compliance programs involving NHPA Section 106 and Arizona Antiquities Act implementation, including responsibility for eligibility determinations and effects findings.
• Supervisory & program oversight experience: direct supervision of professional staff, including performance evaluation, mentoring, and workload management within a cultural…