Job Description

Requisition No: 868784

Agency: Department of State

Working Title: DOS - HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST - 45001109

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 45001109

Salary: $40,000 - 47,349.96 annually

Posting Closing Date: 02/05/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Department of State

Historic Preservationist

Division of Historical Resources

Director’s Office

Open Competitive

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of direct experience in archaeology, anthropology, history, public history, historic preservation, architectural history, or a closely related field in the humanities or social sciences. A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in archaeology, anthropology, history, public history, historic preservation, architectural history, or a closely related field in the humanities or social sciences, or public administration, public relations, education, or closely related fields can substitute for the required years of experience. (Please attach college transcripts if using education to qualify)
• Knowledge of Florida history and culture.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS software and ability to use same for mapping and analytics.
  
  
• Ability to conduct research and apply deductive reasoning to arrive at logical conclusions.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated through past partnerships with internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate and convey ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to travel, conduct site visits, and plan and participate in events related to the program and public outreach.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to accommodate evenings, weekends, and after-hours obligations, including workdays longer than 8 hours.
• Valid Florida Driver's License.
• Current resume and cover letter detailing how the applicant’s skills and experience align with the posted position, not to exceed one page in length.
• Three professional references with current and complete contact information.
  

Preferences:

• Six (6) years of direct experience working in archaeology, anthropology, history, public history, historic preservation, architectural history, or a closely related field in the humanities or social sciences. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in any of the above-mentioned field can substitute for the years of experience

• Experience using online data sources to evaluate and extrapolate data related to Florida’s historic cemeteries.
• Experience researching historic cemeteries and descendent populations.
• Experience researching African American cemeteries and descendent populations.
• Experience developing educational materials.
• Genealogical board certification (CG or CGL).

Special Note:

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported in your employment history.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Use aerial imagery, online resources, and archival documentation to identify cemeteries to be added to the Florida Master Site File. Use ArcGIS software to create maps and conduct analyses.

• Conduct historical research to verify the location of historic and abandoned cemeteries throughout the state as well as research their history for inclusion in the Florida Master Site File.
• Conduct genealogical research to identify both ancestral and living families associated with historic and abandoned cemeteries.

• Assist with public communication and outreach, including updating the Historic Cemeteries Program page on the State’s website, drafting press releases and social media posts, providing guidance to individuals interested in placement of historical cemetery markers for forgotten, lost, abandoned, or erased cemeteries and communicating the program’s mission, achievements, and future goals to diverse audiences including colleagues, scholars, and the general public.

• Contribute to the development of curriculum for K-12 and undergraduate students relating to abandoned and historic cemeteries, with a focus on citizenship, social responsibility, and history.
• Travel to:
  • 1) confirm location and conditions of historic and abandoned cemeteries as reported,
  • 2) conduct outreach to partners and community groups to engage them in research, survey, and recording cemeteries,
  • 3) gather information and oral histories of elders and others knowledgeable about historic and abandoned cemeteries.
• Build and maintain an archive of reference material to include both electronic documents and links to organizations aligned with the program’s mission.
• Provide administrative support to the Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council, including scheduling appointments, planning meetings, compiling agendas, taking meeting minutes, and supporting council travel with assistance from administrative staff in Director’s Office.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of Florida history and culture.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS software and ability to use same for mapping and analytics.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications and the ability to learn new software as needed.
• Ability to conduct research and apply deductive reasoning to arrive at logical conclusions.
• Ability to apply cross-disciplinary research methodologies to research historical sites and the individuals associated with them.
• Ability to communicate and convey ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, work effectively in a team environment, establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, subordinates, and superiors.
• Ability to travel, conduct site visits, and plan and participate in events related to the program and public outreach.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to accommodate evenings, weekends, and after-hours obligations, including workdays longer than 8 hours.
• Ability to stoop, squat, reach, bend, stretch, crawl, climb and/or twist.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS:

A Level 2 criminal background check is a condition of employment. If selected for this position, you must provide your fingerprints. We will send your fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal background check.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

We are committed to enhancing our workforce through the employment of Veterans, individuals with disabilities and seek qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, abilities, skills, and talents to join our workforce.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: https://www.sss.gov

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.