Job Description

Preservation Programs Manager

The Architectural Heritage Center (AHC) is a 501c3 organization located in Portland, OR. Our goal is to empower people to discover and preserve Portland’s historic and culturally significant places. We envision that, through our programs and advocacy, people across the Portland Metro Area will embrace preservation and reuse as a key component in creating equitable, livable, and sustainable communities.

Our key values are:

Stewardship: Ensure that future generations inherit the buildings and spaces that reflect their roots, tell our story, and create a meaningful sense of place.

Inclusion: celebrate and support the full spectrum of Portland’s cultural diversity in our work, and in our organization.

Livability: champion the fact that retaining and repurposing existing buildings is the fastest way to create housing without losing the walkability, cultural identity, and grace of our neighborhoods.

Sustainability: promote the essential role of restoration and reuse in our fight to lower carbon emissions and reduce landfill waste. Buildings are our biggest renewable resource!

Our work includes:

• Exhibits on our city’s architecture and history.
• Walking tours of our city’s historic neighborhoods.
• Telling the full story of our city’s built history.
• Talks and workshops related to Portland history, architecture, and appropriate restoration
• Advocacy with local and state leaders.
• Tools and a Resource Guide for saving historic places.
• Maps to explore Portland’s architecture and history.

The AHC operates a vibrant educational center, exhibition gallery, library/archives, and offices in a restored historic building in Portland that the organization owns and maintains.

The Preservation Programs Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of compelling, relevant, high-quality programs (lectures, workshops, exhibits and tours) related to the preservation of historic places and cultural heritage that fulfill our mission; and they oversee the stewardship of our architectural artifacts collection and library. They work closely with the Executive Director and with AHC staff and volunteers who assist in execution and promotion.

Major Responsibilities:

PROGRAMS

• Oversee and participate in the development, scheduling, planning, and implementation of all AHC education programs and tours, including public, private, in-house, and/or external community partnership events and activities.

• Identify, select, and contact potential program presenters.
• Work with program presenters and tour docents to ensure to ensure the appeal, clarity, relevance, and professionalism of their presentations.
• Enter and monitor programs (tours, talks, etc.) in our ticketing system.
• Serve as staff liaison for the AHC Programs & Education Committee.
• Track education program attendance, income, and other related information; report this information to the executive director, programs committee and BMF board as requested.
• Attend BMF/AHC monthly board meetings and report on education activities as requested.
• Write and/or edit and provide images for education program content for the AHC newsletter, website, e-news, and social media in collaboration with the Communications Mgr.
• Review program evaluations and identify areas for improvement.
• Assist with education program grant proposals and implementation of grant-funded education programming (e.g., RFP creation, identifying and selecting contractors)

EXHIBITS

• Work with Programs & Education Committee and AHC staff to identify potential exhibit themes.
• Oversee and participate in the development, scheduling, planning, installation, and removal of permanent and temporary educational exhibits throughout the AHC building.
• Assist staff, volunteers, or contractors with the selection and preparation of objects and related materials for all educational exhibits.
• Oversee, write, or edit content for exhibit panels and object labels, in collaboration with contractors or the AHC Communications Mgr.
• Assist with educational exhibit grant proposals and implementation of grant-funded exhibit- related activities (e.g., RFP creation, identifying and selecting contractors)
• Identify, select, scan, and/or obtain usage permissions for all exhibit images.
• Ensure exhibits have proper security and that objects are safely mounted for display.

COLLECTIONS & LIBRARY

• Serve as staff liaison for the Collections Committee which is responsible for:

- Identifying, prioritizing, and recommending object, library, and archives collections projects to the Executive Director and Board.
- Overseeing object, library, and archival collections development, policies, storage, organization, and security.

- Overseeing and monitoring storage and physical condition of offsite warehouse storage space.

• Ensure proper documentation for all collections acquisitions; enter or oversee entry of data into
• CatalogIT database.
• Follow established procedures for deaccessioning of collections items as necessary.
• With guidance from the Executive Director and Collections Committee, establish library operating policies and hours, and respond to member queries.
• Manage external requests for permission to use images from the library and archival collections.
• Assist with all collection-related grant proposals and implementation of grant-funded collections projects (e.g., RFP creation, identifying and selecting contractors)
• Train volunteers, staff, interns, or contract employees on object, library, and archival procedures and policies, including equipment, documentation, and access.

GENERAL

• The Educational Programs Manager also fields occasional inquiries from the public on topics such as how to research a building’s history or local preservation issues, and will offer direction or referrals to resources as appropriate.
• Other duties and responsibilities as requested and assigned.

Job Requirements

• 2-4 years of experience in program development, preferably in the historic preservation or arts & cultural arena, including research and development of presentations and exhibits.
• A strong interest in the AHC’s mission, values, and areas of focus, including, but not limited to, history, architecture, preservation, adaptive reuse, urban planning and the built environment, sustainability, and honoring our diverse cultural heritage.
• Knowledge of historic preservation principles and standards; an understanding of Portland (and Oregon) history, geography, development, and current issues a plus.

• Attention to detail, project planning and management skills, including vendor oversight.
• Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Adaptability and comfort working with a small staff in a collaborative environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in historic preservation or a related field.

Job Conditions

The work environment is a small, busy office, with the option of working from home a portion of the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the Education Programs Manager is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear.

The position requires extensive computer use. Occasionally there is the need to staff evening or Saturday programs. The employee must have sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The AHC/BMF is an equal opportunity employer.

Full time (40 hours/week), exempt. Salary range is $55,000-65,000 depending on experience.

Benefits include health insurance, paid holidays, PTO, cell phone stipend, and more.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• How many years experience do you have working in the non-profit sector?
• How much experience do you have in the field of historic preservation?
• How much experience do you have creating or overseeing development of gallery exhibits?

Experience:

• Program development: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Portland, OR 97214: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portland, OR 97214

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