Job Details

Salary : $105,961.18 - $128,797.50 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2025-###-####-CD-EU
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 10/02/2025
Closing Date: 10/30/2025 5:30 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The mission of the Community Development Department is to assist the public in managing the development of the community in order to protect and preserve the quality of life, promote a sound economic base and appropriate design, and ensure safe construction, all in balance with the constraints of the City's environment and resources. Read more about the Department of Community Development here.
THE POSITION

The Community Development Department is seeking a passionate and experienced Architectural Historian who is poised to promote and protect Santa Barbara's unique cultural heritage, fostering civic pride and economic prosperity. In this vital role, the candidate will be at the forefront of preserving the structures that tell our city's story - from historic districts and landmark buildings to industrial sites and cultural landscapes that define our unique character.

The Architectural Historian is the City's qualified professional staff in historic preservation and performs high level professional work in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department with emphasis on architectural history/historic architecture, historic preservation, urban planning, and environmental review. This person will work with the Historic Landmarks Commission and City Council on the designation of Landmarks and Structures of Merit and coordinate historic preservation program as guided by the City's Historic Resources Element within the General Plan. Work in this position is characterized by complex and controversial assignments involving important historic preservation, land use policies, and development standards.

Under minimal supervision, the Architectural Historian acts as project manager on project review and evaluation, and planning studies related to historic resources requiring extensive policy analysis. The Architectural Historian also makes presentations and represents the City at Board, Commission, City Council, and community interest group meetings. Assignments can include pre-application evaluations, conducting neighborhood surveys, drafting and presenting historic structures evaluations, reviewing projects against the Secretary of the Interior Standards for historic preservation, advising the Historic Landmarks Commission at bi-weekly reviews, updating out of date historic resource reports and surveys, educating the public on the value of historic resources through lectures and social media and other means, and management of the property tax reduction program for historic resources called the Mills Act Program. This position also coordinates, delegates, and reviews the work of project team members, professional consultants, and other planners on complex projects or special studies; explains regulations and procedures; and works with other City Departments and agencies as a representative of the Planning Division. The Architectural Historian is someone who takes initiative and seeks out grant opportunities to fulfill General Plan goals and other community interests.

This position offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the physical fabric of our city while contributing to planning decisions that will shape our community for generations to come. It is a rare opportunity for a candidate to use their expertise in architectural history and historic preservation for meaningful public service - protecting irreplaceable resources that represent all aspects of cultures of the community, educating the community, and ensuring our city's historic character thrives. Read more about the City's Historic Preservation initiatives.
BENEFITS
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and best practices of historic preservation, municipal planning, zoning, policy development, public participation, and environmental issues.
• Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to Historic Preservation and how it relates to Municipal planning and their practical application to local situations.
• Research methods and techniques including researching through historic maps and Sanborn maps, newspapers and City directories, evaluating historic architectural plans and libraries.
• Historic Preservation theory and practice and an understanding of the physical, social and environmental issues of the City and region.

Ability to:

• Write comprehensive and concise reports evaluating historic resources' historic significance including physical descriptions, historic context, cultural significance, architectural significance, historic integrity analysis and analyzing project impacts on historic resources including alterations, additions and demolitions.
• Execute photography of historic resources to capture significant details.
• Communicate clearly and make verbal presentations to Boards, Commissions and City Council.
• Advise review boards and facilitate public meetings.
• Coordinate and work with interdepartmental teams on major projects.
• Read and understand site plans, architectural renderings, and project proposals.
• Apply the California Environmental Quality Act as it relates to historic resources, and Federal, State and Municipal ordinances and guidelines.
• Perform detailed investigations of historic structures and advise on projects involving historic resources.
• Administer contracts and oversee work of professional consultants on significant historic resource projects.
• Review and comment on historic structures reports prepared by outside consultants.
• Conduct public outreach and work with community groups and develop engaging social media content and website updates to connect with and inspire the public.
• Manage complex development/environmental review projects including the historic resources portion of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).
• Identify grant opportunities and prepare grant applications to fulfill historic preservation initiatives.
• Maintain data on historic resources for public records and update data visualization tools including the Santa Barbara Historic Treasures Map.
• Independently present City policy and guidelines and represent the Planning Division in a variety of public forums.
• Take initiative and demonstrate flexibility to coordinate and complete new projects as they arise.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Stay up-to-date on historic preservation best practices through connection and trainings with state and national historic preservation organizations.
• Recognize and interpret historic resources that reflect the City's diverse cultural heritage and community history.
• Use personal computers, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications. Learn new skills like basic webpage development after receiving supportive training.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINESAny combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education and/or Training:To be the City of Santa Barbara's qualified professional in historic preservation (Architectural Historian), the candidate shall meet the Professional Standards in Historic Preservation outlined in the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines and Qualifications in History, Architectural History, or Historic Architecture for education and experience, which is required to perform the identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment of historic resources.
This requires a graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or closely related field with coursework in American architectural history or a bachelor's degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field plus one of the following:

• At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or
• Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.

Experience:
Four (4) to five (5) years of increasingly responsible historic preservation experience. At least one (1) year of project management responsibility. Experience with a local government agency is highly desirable.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The selection process will consist of an initial application screening and an interview of qualified candidates. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is currently one vacancy within the Community Development Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THESALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• A standard 9/80 schedule is observed, with most offices closed every other Friday.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year. Paid holiday time is awarded at the employee's applicable schedule, i.e., 9/80, 4/10, etc.
• Retirement: The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; City contributes employee 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: General Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan: Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment ($50,000 each) are provided.
• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.

Revised 12/1/2024
01

Describe one planning-related project or study that you managed. Please provide information on your role, major challenges, the outcome, and lessons learned.
02

Describe your experience and role in amending or creating new regulations (e.g., stakeholder outreach, developing procedures or guidelines, preparing ordinance amendments).
Required Question