The Agency
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is the largest municipal preservation agency in the nation. It is responsible for protecting New York City's architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites by granting them landmark or historic district status and regulating them after designation. The agency is comprised of a panel of 11 commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor and supported by a staff of approximately 80 preservationists, researchers, architects, historians, attorneys, archaeologists, and administrative employees. There are more than 37,500 designated buildings and sites in New York City, most of which are located in 152 historic districts across in all five boroughs.

Working at the Landmarks Preservation Commission provides a great opportunity to cultivate intellectual inspiration and professional development.

The Team
The Research Department is responsible for the identification, evaluation, documentation and designation of landmarks, interior landmarks, scenic landmarks, and historic districts throughout New York City. Landmarks Preservationists in the Research Department work independently and/or collaboratively in small teams under the supervision and guidance of the Director and Deputy Director of Research.

Your Impact
Landmarks Preservationists have the unique opportunity to work throughout the city exploring and analyzing its historic sites and neighborhoods, conducting architectural surveys and historical research, and producing rigorously documented designation reports that recognize the city’s architecturally, culturally, and historically significant buildings and sites and enable their protection. In doing so, Landmarks Preservationists add to scholarship on New York City’s history and architecture, provide useful information about historic buildings to property owners and architects, participate in LPC’s Equity and Inclusion Goals, expanding public recognition and equitable representation of New York City’s diverse history, and have the opportunity to yield tangible results in preserving landmark buildings and historic districts throughout the city.

Your Responsibilities
Working under the supervision and guidance of the Director and Deputy Director of Research, responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Conduct research, fieldwork, and analysis to evaluate the cultural, historical, and architectural significance and level of integrity of New York City buildings and sites, to determine whether they meet standards for consideration as individual landmarks, interior landmarks, scenic landmarks, or historic districts;
- Maintain and expanding the agency’s citywide inventory of historic resources through survey and documentation of buildings and sites, which may include written descriptions, comparative analysis, on-site photography and inspection, databases, and GIS mapping;
- Write designation reports and other documents describing the history, design, and existing condition of buildings and neighborhoods proposed for designation;
- Make presentations for Commissioners, elected officials, and property owners;
- Respond to public inquiries and requests for evaluation and maintaining the agency’s public records including correspondence and public testimony related to proposed designations;
- Assist in agency communications with editorial, writing, educational and other special projects;
- Conduct research in architectural and urban history and/or historic preservation standards and best practices, and investigating new scholarship;
- Use technology such as electronic databases, online communications tools, and other software for a variety of tasks.

Preferred Skills
- Professional experience with survey, evaluation, research and documentation of historic resources;
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including making presentations;
- Knowledge of New York City architectural history and styles;
- Familiarity with archival resources in New York City;
- Experience in or familiarity with historic preservation, real estate and planning issues in New York City;
- Professional experience using databases, data management, Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Acrobat and Creative Suite, as well as experience with digital mapping, ArcGIS preferred;
- Experience with digital photography;
- Strong customer service approach;
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to work collaboratively as well as independently;
- Maturity and professionalism

Additional Information:
The selected candidate will be required to file for and pass the next civil service exam for Landmarks Preservationist, which will be on a future date by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission will only respond to qualified candidates. While we appreciate every applicant's interest, only those under consideration will be contacted.

If you were educated in a foreign school, you must be able to submit an evaluation of your foreign education from an approved organization.

Final appointment is subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our diversity and inclusion mission is to attract, retain, and engage a diverse workforce comprised of talented people. LPC employees can expect to work as part of a highly engaged, passionate, and inclusive workforce where everyone’s contributions are valued, respected, and make an impact on one of the best and most diverse cities in the world.

Education and Experience Requirements: By the last day of the Application Period you must have:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a major in historic preservation, architectural history, art history, architecture or American history; and one year of full-time satisfactory experience working in the fields of preservation, restoration or conservation of historic structures; or conducting research in architectural or art history, or
working as an architect or architectural assistant; or teaching college level courses in historic preservation, architectural history, art history, architecture or American history; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a major in historic preservation, architectural history, art history, architecture or American history; and two years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above; or

3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Graduate study in any of the majors listed in "1" above can be substituted for up to one year of required experience on the basis that 30 graduate credits is equivalent to 1 year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a major in any of the fields listed in "1" above, and one year of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.