On-Call Project Architectural Historian

Job-ID: 97629Category: SciencesLocation: Washington, DC, United States; Arlington, DC, United States; Herndon, VA, United StatesPosted: 2026-10-15This OpportunityWSP is currently initiating a search for an On-Call Project Architectural Historian for our Washington, DC, Arlington, Virginia, or Herndon, Virginiaoffices. Other office locations in Virginia will be considered. Be involved in projects with our Heritage & Cultural Resources, Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges. Projects include a wide range of federal, state, and commercial clients with many new opportunities and interesting project locations. WSP Project Architectural Historians are principal investigators, field survey leaders, detailed researchers, and authors of technical reports. This position is an on-call, hourly position. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.Your ImpactAssist with performing professional architectural history work relating to cultural resource management, assisting in research, report writing, and documentation of historic above-ground resources.  Comply with safety guidelines and site-specific procedures during resource surveys.Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise reporting, evaluation, and documentation.Utilize National Park Service (NPS) and Secretary of the Interior’s guidance in evaluating the historic significance of above-ground resources and in determining effects of a project upon historic resources.Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.Who You AreRequired QualificationsBachelor's Degree in Historic Architecture, Historic Preservation, History, or related field.7-10 years of relevant post-education experience working as an historian, architectural historian, or similar role.Meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards (36 CFR 61) in Historic Preservation and/or History thorough understanding of architectural resource significance recommendations and justifications.Strong organizational skills Familiarity with digital photography as well as standard office computer applications.Skills directly associated with industry standard above-ground historic architectural and cultural historic surveys, including familiarity with historic American architectural forms, styles and details, archival research, standard documentation of field investigations, preparation of architectural reports including resource descriptions, maintenance and treatment plans, historic context, and significance assessments under National Register criteria.Ability to address project research questions through a synthesis of data from the field, analysis of archival research, and incorporation of relevant published research.Excellent written communication skillsPreferred QualificationsMaster’s Degree (MA/MHP) or graduate level certificate in Historic Architecture, Historic Preservation, History, or related field.Eight years of demonstrable experience in Cultural Resource Management is preferred.  Experience performing surveys and reporting with State Historic Preservation Offices in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and surrounding states.Experience with digital workflows for field survey including the use of Microsoft Access Databases and Microsoft Excel.A technical skill or specialty such as, but not limited to, American architecture, historic bridges, cultural landscapes, cemetery investigations, archival research, preservation planning, HABS/HAER/HALS recordation, National Register nominations, etc.Possess a valid driver’s license Compensation:Expected Salary: $50.00 - $75.00/hrWSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal lawAbout the companyAbout WSPWSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.