Description
Research, document, and interpret the history of buildings, structures, and cultural landscapes using architectural records, maps, permits, photographs, oral histories, and archives; evaluate significance and guide preservation, documentation, compliance, and public interpretation.
- • Organize and evaluate architectural data for authenticity, integrity, and significance.
- • Gather records such as building permits, plans, Sanborn maps, tax files, photographs, and archival sources.
- • Conduct field surveys and inventories of historic buildings, structures, and districts.
- • Develop historic contexts for architectural styles, neighborhoods, and building types.
- • Research to identify, document, conserve, and interpret historic properties and cultural landscapes.
- • Prepare National Register nominations and determinations of eligibility.
- • Complete Section 106/NEPA compliance research, effects assessments, and mitigation documentation.
- • Produce HABS/HAER/HALS documentation, including measured drawings and archival photography.
- • Prepare Historic Structure Reports, condition assessments, and preservation plans.
- • Review rehabilitation and design proposals for consistency with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
- • Publish reports, context statements, and articles on architectural history and preservation.
- • Engage communities, boards, and preservation groups to promote stewardship of the built environment.
- • Develop or review exhibits, interpretive signage, walking tours, and digital content for accuracy.
- • Research architectural history of specific regions, periods, building technologies, or design movements.
- • Interpret buildings within social, cultural, and urban development contexts, including underrepresented histories.
- • Define research scopes or follow client-driven preservation and compliance requirements.
- • Organize documentation and metadata for archives, repositories, and GIS databases.
- • Advise owners, architects, and agencies on period-appropriate materials, features, and treatments.
- • Compile histories of architects, builders, occupants, and firms for project context.
- • Conduct oral histories with architects, craftspeople, and community members about buildings and places.
- • Oversee cataloging, digitization, and conservation of architectural drawings, models, photographs, and records.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
