State Historian Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 7, 1979

Scope

This series specification describes State Historian classes in the Department of Parks and Recreation. These classes are used to perform basic historical research; to recommend and execute programs of identification, description, evaluation, preservation and resource management of historical and cultural objects, sites, and buildings; and to direct the development of employee training programs concerning California historical resources and historic preservation.

Incumbents in these classes are assigned tasks related to the collection, identification, classification, evaluation, and preservation of a variety of objects and sites of historical interest; reviews historical objects to be used in exhibits for historical accuracy and integrity; does research or reference work in the history of existing and proposed parks, monuments or surrounding areas; develops or coordinates departmental historical and cultural resource programs with programs of other departments, educational institutions, historical groups, and other State, Federal, and local governmental agencies; provides a variety of administrative support and technical assistance activities in contract negotiation and review, grant administration, and other areas impacting historical resource management programs; coordinates and administers program of historical and cultural interest involving grant administration activities at local and other governmental levels; provides administrative and staff support to various boards and commissions; develops plans and recommendations for identifying and protecting objects, buildings, and sites of historical significance to the people of California; prepares inventories of existing cultural resources and recommends plans for cultural resource management and disposition; reviews and evaluates environmental documents and other reports regarding cultural resources for compliance with environmental regulations and policies; prescribes mitigation measures as necessary; assists or trains other field employees in historical research methods and techniques; prepares and gives talks to interested groups; prepares or assists in the preparation of budgets; and keeps necessary records and prepares reports.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level and variety of work assigned; independence of action; degree of responsibility; supervision received or exercised.

Definition of Levels

State Historian I

This is the entry and first working level in this series. Under supervision, either in a regional office or Sacramento Headquarters, incumbents perform the less difficult or varied work in performing basic historical research and cultural resource management activities; or assist in training other personnel in historical research methods and techniques; and do other related work.

State Historian II

This is the full journey level class. Under direction, incumbents perform the more difficult or varied work in performing basic historical research and cultural resource management activities; may act in a lead capacity; may train and direct subordinates staff; may train other personnel (including personnel in the State, Federal, and local agencies) in historical research methods and cultural resource management techniques; may select and evaluate the performance of grant projects; may budget, administer, and expend Federal and State funds; and do other related work.

State Historian III

This is the full supervisory level of this series. Under general direction, incumbents supervise, on a statewide basis, the planning and development of a historical resource management program unit in the Department of Parks and Recreation; recommend and execute programs of identification, description, evaluation, preservation and resource management of historical objects, sites, and buildings; direct the development of employee training programs concerning California historical resources and historical research techniques; and do other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Education Requirements: Equivalent to graduation from college with major course work in history, historic sites research, cultural resources management, architectural history, or a closely related field in which historical methods and techniques are employed. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis for up to two years.)

State Historian I

One year of experience in research, cultural resources management, or museum work in connection with historical reports, projects, buildings, or museums; or one year of experience in the teaching of California history at the high school and college level.

(Graduate work in history, historic sites research, cultural resources management, architectural history, or a closely related field, in which historical methods and techniques are employed, may be substituted for one year of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.)

State Historian II

Either I

Two years of experience performing the duties of a State Historian I in the California state service.

Or II

Three years of experience in research, cultural resources management, or museum work in connection with historical reports, projects, buildings, or museums.

(Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must be performing duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of a State Historian I.) or

Three years of experience in the teaching of California history at the high school or college level.

(Graduate work in history, historical sites research, cultural resources management, architectural history, or a closely related field, in which historical methods and techniques are employed, may be substituted for not more than one year of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.)

State Historian III

Either I

In the California state service, either:

Two years of experience performing the duties of a State Historian II; or four years of experience performing the duties of a State Historian I.

Or II

Five years of experience in research, cultural resources management, or museum work in connection with historical reports, projects, buildings, or museums.

(Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include three years performing duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of a State Historian II.) or

Five years of experience in the teaching of California history at the high school or college level.

(Graduate work in history, historical sites research, cultural resources management, architectural history, or a closely related field, in which historical methods and techniques are employed, may be substituted for not more than one year of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

State Historian I

Knowledge of: California history; historical research methods; methods and techniques used in identifying and preserving historical objects, sites, and buildings; literature and publications dealing with California history, historical research, curatorship, and museum administration; private and public organization concerned with historical research and resource management activities pertaining to California history; museum administration principles.

Ability to: Conduct basic historical research; evaluate environmental impacts on resources of historical interest and develop and recommend mitigation procedures; make cultural and aesthetic decisions regarding cultural resources; speak and write effectively; keep necessary records and prepare reports; analyze facts and situations accurately and take effective action.

State Historian II

Knowledge of: All of the above.

Ability to: All of the above, and direct and train other personnel.

State Historian III

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of effective supervision; personnel management and public administration; State of California administrative procedures; the department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan organize, and supervise statewide historical and cultural resource management programs; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State and work irregular hours.

Class History