Job Description

Cultural Resource Historian | Salary Range: $37.26 - $55.42 / hourly; $77,798 - $115,716 / annually

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to get your foot in the door with State of Minnesota? If so, come join our MnDOT team in St. Paul, MN !

WHY WORK FOR US? Check us out:

This position may have the flexibility to telework, work a hybrid schedule, or work in the office. The incumbent will be required to make a telework arrangement with their supervisor. The incumbent will be expected to work in the office as determined by policy and discussion with their supervisor.

Our Historian position exists to direct and to perform cultural resources reviews for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded and MnDOT funded projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Minnesota State Statutes. The individual in this position will also:

• Conduct statewide cultural resources contract management, consultation, training, and liaison activities related to FHWA funded (both state and local) as well as MnDOT funded projects. This involves communication with consultants, the FHWA, MnDOT offices and districts, local project proposers, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPO), and members of the public.
• Manage Section 106 reviews for federal undertakings and MnDOT projects including delineating the area of potential effect, conducting inventory and evaluation of historic properties, assessing effects to historic properties, and developing agreements for the mitigation of effects. They will manage historic bridge rehabilitation projects and lead the MnDOT historic bridge program. They will complete contract management tasks and direct consultants.
• Works to ensure compliance with federal and state historic preservation laws, rules, procedures, and policies that must be satisfied for transportation projects throughout the state.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? Learn more about our benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Low-cost medical, dental, vision, & prescription drug plans; health, dental, & dependent care spending accounts; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), health & well-being resources
• Financial Well-Being: Public pension plans, deferred compensation plan & health care savings plan; life insurance, short & long-term disability insurance, & paid parental leave
• Professional Development: Tuition assistance, employee education, leadership development
• Work/Life Balance: Paid vacation & sick leave including 12 paid holidays each year
• At-Work Benefits: Employee Resource Groups, employee recognition, employee activities, fitness center at our Central Office

Here are the Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have education and experience sufficient to meet or exceed the Secretary of the Interior’s PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION STANDARDS, as set forth in federal statute 36 CFR Part 61, in order to act on behalf of the FHWA.

You must meet one of the following qualifying focuses from the federal statute 36 CFR Part 61:

History focus :

A Graduate degree in history or closely related field; OR a bachelor’s degree in history or closely related field plus one of the following:

At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation, or other demonstrated professional activity with an academic institution, historic organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; Or - Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of history.

OR

Architectural History focus :

Graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or closely related field, with coursework in American architectural history, OR a bachelor's degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field plus one of the following:

At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; Or - Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.

In addition to meeting the federal requirements, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Three (3) years of advanced professional experience serving as a principal investigator in:

• Of those three (3) years of experience, two (2) years should be serving as a Principal Investigator or similar in: conducting cultural resources surveys; identifying and evaluating historic properties for eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; report writing; working with consulting parties; and developing and implementing policies and procedures for reviewing various types of projects for compliance with applicable state and federal laws; and experiencing developing or working with the terms of a Section 106 agreement (MOA or PA).
• Experience working within federal historical procedures and guidelines related to cultural resources reviews, especially Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966.
• Experience with project management and contract management.
• Experience with written and oral communication sufficient to send complex information to stakeholders, present project information at meetings, etc.

APPLY ONLINE BY 10/14/2025 (only applications received on mn.gov/careers will be considered)

1. Go to & click “ Search Open Positions ”
2. Enter the Job Opening ID “89136” in the Keywords search box & click “>>”
3. Click on the Job Title to view the job posting & click “ Apply for Job ”
4. When prompted for your Referral Source, please list: LinkedIn/Ellen

Visit for a listing of all our MnDOT job openings.

Questions? Contact Ellen Behrhorst (MnDOT Recruitment Specialist) - Ellen.Behrhorst@state.mn.us | 612.346.8330

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