The Los Angeles Conservancy

Los Angeles, CA

Preservation Coordinator

The Los Angeles Conservancy is looking for an individual with preservation experience and that comes prepared to collaborate as a team member, as part of the organization’s advocacy work to preserve and revitalize the built heritage of Los Angeles County. Creative and innovative thinkers that are able to get things done are encouraged to apply.

Founded in 1978, the Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that works through education and advocacy to recognize, preserve, and revitalize historic places throughout Los Angeles County. With approximately 6,000 member households, the Conservancy has the largest membership of any local historic preservation organization in the U.S. We have a staff of eighteen and a budget of almost $2.8 million.

Our work is grounded in the belief that historic preservation empowers and nourishes communities by creating meaningful connections between people. We strive to preserve places that matter to all Angelenos.

We are looking for someone who, in addition to having the skills below, loves historic places and values their role in contributing to our communities.

Main Responsibilities

• Prepare responses to Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and other documents on preservation issues related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Monitor and track relevant public hearings and schedules for Conservancy issues.
• Oversee the Conservancy’s preservation easement program, including the management and monitoring of properties.
• Write and regularly contribute for newsletter and other outlets.
• Represent the Conservancy at public hearings and meetings on preservation issues.
• Help implement the Conservancy’s legislative initiatives on historic preservation policy in the City of Los Angeles and around Los Angeles County.
• Coordinate various workshops and additional training for Los Angeles’ Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) boards, Realtors, etc.  
• Provide assistance to neighborhoods seeking designation as historic districts, or City of Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs), and to existing HPOZs.
• Give presentations to community organizations on historic preservation and the work of the Conservancy.
• Provide technical assistance and responses to email, telephone and online inquiries on preservation issues.
• Provide support for the Conservancy’s Advocacy Committee and its all-volunteer Modern Committee (ModCom), focused on the preservation of Modern architectural resources.
• Manage advocacy interns and Getty Multicultural Undergraduate Summer interns and oversee projects.
• Occasionally, research and prepare nominations for City, State and National designations of historic properties.
• Develop and prepares content for Conservancy’s website on advocacy issues and priorities.
• Use Salesforce to track advocacy issues and as project management tool.
• Provide support, when needed, on general office administration and with special Conservancy events throughout the year.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Good working knowledge of historic preservation, urban planning, public policy, and architectural history.
• Familiarity with and full understanding of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Politically savvy and familiarity with government decision-making on historic preservation and planning issues in the City of Los Angeles, other local governments, and state and national levels.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter with good teamwork and organizational skills.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; bilingual (English and Spanish) a plus
• Exceptional project management skills, and ability to manage numerous projects and multi-task
• Creative and analytical thinking; exceptional problem-solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communications skills, and comfort with public speaking  
• Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize quickly and constantly
• Ability to lead through collaboration
• Positive attitude; ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in heritage conservation, urban planning and development, and at least three years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree in historic preservation or a related field.
• Track record of successfully driving projects to completion
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Excellent benefits including health, dental, and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match (after one year of continuous employment); paid holidays and vacation.

Position

Exempt

To Apply

By October 1, 2018, email cover letter, resume, and writing samples to Adrian Scott Fine, Director of Advocacy ([email protected]), with “Preservation Coordinator” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.