Job Description
Non-exempt; part-time position; up to 20 hours per week; Monday-Friday; Monday -Friday; varied hours; no benefits
This position is responsible for conducting in-depth historical research on African American life in Frederick County from the 1700s through the early 1970s, identifying significant themes, patterns, and landmarks. The role involves evaluating the architectural and cultural significance of these resources and developing a formal historic context study that includes narrative histories, mapped data, and an annotated list of potential heritage sites.
The position requires integrating oral histories and coordinating with community stakeholders and State partners to ensure research accuracy and compliance with Maryland Historical Trust standards. The primary focus of this role is to preserve and highlight African American heritage through detailed documentation, interpretation, and strategic preservation planning. Supervision is received by Director of Planning. Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.
If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today. • Conduct comprehensive research on African American history in Frederick County, focusing on the period from the 1700s through the early 1970s, to uncover significant events, figures, and cultural developments that shaped the local community • Analyze historical records to identify key trends, recurring patterns, and major themes that define the African American experience in Frederick County across multiple generations and time periods • Identify significant sites and structures that embody African American history in Frederick County, with a focus on those retaining a high degree of historical integrity from their period of significance and warranting additional documentation, recordation, or preservation efforts • Develop a comprehensive framework for assessing the architectural, historical, and cultural significance of African American heritage resources, ensuring consistency with professional preservation standards and cultural context • Utilize the research findings and resource identification to develop a context study on the history of African Americans in Frederick County that includes: • Introduction to the historic context which discusses methodology utilized; area of coverage for the study; and the difficulties in documenting African American historic resources and history; • Historical overview of African Americans in Frederick County; • Themes related to the history of African Americans in Frederick County; • List of potential properties to be documented with future Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP) forms and those properties determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places including those that have been discussed or researched in the previous sections of the study, with significance, previous designations, corresponding theme, and building/property type identified; • Graphics such as maps, photographs, etc.
to illustrate the context and associated themes and property types; and • Bibliography of sources used • Integrate oral histories gathered by the Division into the historic context study, ensuring these narratives meaningfully enhance the understanding of African American heritage in Frederick County • Work with community and State partners to ensure the research and context study are conducted appropriately and meet Maryland Historical Trust requirements • Perform other duties as assigned To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. • Master's degree • Minimum 1 year of historic research projects work experience • Minimum 1 year of historic context statements or studies work experience • Minimum 1 year work experience researching African American history • Intermediate skills in bolthires 365 • NOTE: Must meet or exceed appropriate Secretary of the Interiors
Professional Qualifications Standards as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR 61 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • Knowledge of with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation, in particular the Guidelines for Preservation Planning, and the Standards and Guidelines for Architectural and Historical Investigations in Maryland (2019) • Strong clerical and record-keeping skills, including the ability to accurately perform basic math and financial functions • Ability to accurately compile and prepare statistical data and reports • Ability to effectively access and utilize bolthires 365, e-mail, spreadsheet and other systems and equipment, and to learn new software as it is required • Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, including the ability to make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision • Discretion and good judgment in dealing with sensitive and personal information with ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality • Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to clearly explain policies and procedures • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, representatives of cooperating agencies and the general public PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR: • Master's degree in History, Archeology or related field • Experience working in a local government setting • Historic context statements or studies work experience in Maryland • Work experience in researching history of African Americans in Frederick County and/or Maryland PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS: • While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, and perform repetitive motions; and rarely walk, climb, stoop/kneel/crouch, reach and drive • While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently work indoors; and rarely work outdoors and on uneven ground • Available for varied evening and weekend work hours to accommodate meetings, special events, etc • Ability to provide own transportation to meetings, etc KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include): • An evaluation of training and qualifications • Skills testing • One or more interviews Apply tot his job