RESEARCH & PRESERVATION SPECIALIST II (Easement Program Assistant)

at  State of Maryland

INTRODUCTION

The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) is the state agency dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Maryland’s past. Through research, conservation and education, MHT assists the people of Maryland in understanding their historical and cultural heritage. Part of the Maryland Department of Planning, the Maryland Historical Trust serves as Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Historic Preservation, Architectural History or other closely related field.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualifications. Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications. We know that most, if not all, people will not have experience in all of the preferred qualifications and we encourage all to apply who have direct experience in one or more areas.
Experience with photo documentation of historic architecture OR experience reviewing technical plans and drawings OR experience evaluating building and material conditions and assessing/researching appropriate treatments.
Experience with the application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
Two years of experience conducting land record research and documentation
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree with paralegal coursework or a paralegal certificate OR possession of a real estate license.
Experience with word processing, digital imaging and databases.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

This permanent position serves as the Easement Program Assistant for the Easement program within MHT’s Office of Preservation Services, monitoring and evaluating the condition of properties protected by historic preservation easements held by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and processing new easements.

POSITION DUTIES

This position monitors the existing conditions and conducts inspections of properties protected by historic preservation easements, assists with the processing of new easements, provides program support, and works in coordination with MHT staff, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and other co-holding agencies to draft new easements and enforce the terms of existing Deeds of Easements. This position requires extreme attention to detail, excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills and a strong interest in working collaboratively. Duties include:

• Notifying and scheduling site inspections with property owners and co-holding agencies.
• Preparing easement inspection reports, notification to owners (in writing) of inspection results.
• Organizing digital inspection photographs, and general easement file maintenance (easement files, vertical files, and database).
• Identifying and presenting all easement violations to the Easement Committee and OAG for review.
• Drafting correspondence and tracking all violations until the violation is resolved.
• Collecting, assembling and ensuring the accuracy of all information required for the drafting of Easements (the required information includes, but is not limited to, certificates of title, title insurance, legal site plans, and property descriptions)
• Ensure that the Deed of Easement is properly executed, recorded and returned to MHT to ensure legal sufficiency of the easement
• Conducting site visits, taking exhibit photographs, assembling Easement exhibit pages, and creating Easements files and maintaining databases
• Maintaining working relationships with the general public, property owners, professional agencies, and fellow Maryland Historical Trust staff.
• This position may also be assigned other duties as necessary by the Easement Administrator, including assisting the Easement Administrator with processing changes/alteration applications and acting as support staff to the Easement Committee.