Job Details

City of Portland - Associate Preservation Planner

Position Number: 7092608
Location: Portland, ME
Position Type: Liberal Arts - Urban Studies & Planning

City of Portland - Associate Preservation Planner

Planning and Urban Development Department, Historic Preservation Division

About the City of Portland Planning and Urban Development Department:

The Planning and Urban Development Department plans for the vitality, livability, and prosperity of one of the most dynamic cities in the northeast. The Department's work involves comprehensive planning; implementing and amending the City's zoning and land use policies; site plan, subdivision, and historic preservation review; design review; managing the City's Public Art program; and leading transportation planning and other long-range planning projects. Learn more about the Department.

The Historic Preservation program, which is a part of the Department of Planning & Urban Development, is responsible for design review for compliance with the historic preservation ordinance; long range planning to document, assess, and protect Portland's historic resources; participation in related planning initiatives; and management of consultants and grants for historic preservation projects.

Job Summary:

This is professional and technical planning work with a focus on Historic Preservation. It involves applying specialized knowledge and skills to review development proposals affecting properties within Portland's historic designations, ensuring compliance with the historic preservation ordinance. The Associate Preservation Planner is one of two preservation positions in the department, and requires professional expertise in historic preservation principles. The role involves making technical determinations, exercising independent judgment, problem solving with property owners and their designers or contractors, and preparing written documents and public presentations to the Historic Preservation Board.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Reviews applications for both administrative/staff review and Historic Preservation Board review, including coordination with planners, permit reviewers, and other City departments.
Prepares reports with supporting documentation for and makes public presentations regarding Planning Board or Historic Preservation Board reviews.
Prepares letters of staff and Board decisions and maintains Historic Preservation Program records and files.
Responds to public inquiries, requests for pre-application meetings, and reports of violations.
Conducts regular field inspections, pre-construction meetings, and site visits to review work in progress, identify potential violations, and ensure compliance with approved plans for over 2300 historically designated properties.
Reports and pursues identified violations of the Historic Preservation ordinance in conjunction with Corporation Counsel's office.
Performs related work as required.

Required Skills & Experience:

Experience of a technical nature in the field of historic preservation, and a Bachelor's degree in historic preservation, planning, architecture, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of historic preservation planning and their application, in particular knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, and related regulatory and design principles and practices.
Considerable knowledge of historic building construction and building products.
Technical knowledge of historic building methods, technology, and architecture.
Experience in design review of new construction, particularly within historic contexts.
Experience leading and conducting meetings and site visits with property owners, design professionals, contractors, and members of the public discussing complex problems and sensitive topics such as violations.
Organizational skills to manage a demanding work load and the ability to complete work products on schedule and accurately.
Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive relationships with the public, property owners, design professionals, contractors, City officials, and other city staff.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to problem solve and think creatively.
Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, file management, electronic plan review).

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Master's degree in historic preservation, planning, architecture, history, architectural history, or a related field.
Prior related historic preservation experience with a municipal historic preservation program or organization with similar functions.
Ability to use existing and emerging technologies in planning, such as GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, database management, and project management software.

Expected Hours/Schedule:

City Hall is open from 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday; attendance at evening meetings as required (typically twice per month). The Department supports up to two days of remote work per week.

Hiring Process:

Interested candidates should include a cover letter, resume, and two brief relevant professional writing samples.
Start date negotiable, no sooner than June 15, 2026.

Applications accepted until filled.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a union position, Pro-Tech (Grade 7) - Starting salary range of $58,617 to $74,295 per year, depending on experience.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.
City benefits include:

Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
Thirteen paid holidays
Sick, vacation, and personal leave
Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
Use of City recreation facilities
Fitness Reimbursement
Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=126&sreq=5&form=5000&desc=ASSOCIATE%20PRESERVATION%20PLANNER