Main Street Fairmont Seeks Executive Director

Do you have what it takes to lead a dynamic organization and create change in your community? If so, we have the job for you!

Executive Director – Main Street Fairmont 

Main Street Fairmont seeks a part-time Executive Director to lead the revitalization and economic development of downtown Fairmont, a designated West Virginia Main Street community and 2010 Great American Main Street Award winner. Fairmont is enjoying an exciting renaissance of its small downtown, although much work remains. Potential candidates must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized and capable of functioning effectively in an independent environment while coordinating multiple public and private interests. Excellent communication, fundraising and collaboration skills are essential. Strong leadership is required. A bachelor’s degree and professional experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: economic development, urban planning, historic preservation, and/or non-profit leadership. Candidate will be familiar with the Main Street Four Point Approach.  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 
Duties

•Raise the profile of downtown Fairmont in order to reach new audiences and build its reputation as a business friendly environment that will thrive with the emergence of new commerce and the resulting increase of foot traffic. Serving as the lead advocate for Main Street Fairmont (MSF), the Executive Director utilizes a high level of knowledge and enthusiasm in fundraising, non-profit management, and communications in order to ensure that the downtown continues to flourish. The Executive Director is expected to establish good relationships with existing and potential sponsors, and will build a strong fundraising operation for the organization.
 
•The Executive Director oversees the development of a balanced annual budget and strategic operating plans; plans and implements fundraising and business activities to secure adequate operating and capital monies; utilizes reserve funds effectively; all through sponsorship, applying for grants, and identifying and implementing new business ventures and revenue streams. In consultation with the board of directors, the Executive Director prepares and monitors the annual budget, provides excellent fiscal oversight, controlling receipts and expenditures, meeting budgeted financial obligations while working within the MSF by-laws.

•Articulate a clear vision and set of strategic priorities for the organization, with defined goals and objectives for achievement: The Executive Director is charged with reviewing the mission, vision, strategic priorities and objectives of MSF and, in collaboration with board of directors and co-partners, will continue to develop and implement a strategic plan consistent with the goals of the organization.

•Become familiar with all persons and groups directly or indirectly involved in the downtown commercial district. Assist Main Street Fairmont’s board and committees in developing an annual action plan for implementing a downtown revitalization program focused on four areas; design/historic preservation, marketing, operations/management, and business enhancement/development.

•Coordinate activity of Main Street committees, ensure that communication between committees is well established; assist committees with implementation of work plan items.

•Develop and maintain a close working relationship with the City of Fairmont and Marion County to ensure that all aspects of the downtown revitalization efforts are compatible with the goals and objectives of the City and County.

•Coordinate and participate in ongoing public awareness and education programs designed to enhance appreciation of the downtown’s architecture and other assets and to foster an understanding of Main Street Fairmont’s goals and objectives. Through speaking engagements, media interviews and appearances, keep Main Street Fairmont highly visible in the community.

•Assist individual tenants or property owners with physical improvement projects through personal consultation or by obtaining and supervising professional design consultants; assist in locating appropriate contractors and materials; provide advice and guidance on necessary financial mechanisms for physical improvements.

•Assess the management capacity of downtown businesses and encourage improvements in the downtown community’s ability to undertake joint activities such as promotional events, advertising, special events, and business recruitment. Encourage cooperation between downtown interests and local public officials.

•Work closely with local media to ensure maximum event coverage; encourage design excellence in all aspects of promotion in order to advance an image of quality for the downtown.

•Represent the community at the local, state, and national levels to important constituencies. Speak effectively on Main Street Fairmont’s directions and findings. Help build strong and productive working relationships with appropriate public agencies at the local and state levels.

•Oversees operations of the Citizens Building, located on Adams Street.

Qualifications

Job Knowledge and Skills Required
The Director should have a bachelor’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: public relations, marketing, volunteer recruitment/management, event planning and management, commercial district management, small business development, non-profit administration, fundraising, architecture, and/or retailing. The Director must be sensitive to design and preservation issues. The Director must understand the issues confronting downtown business people, property owners, public agencies, and community organizations. The Director must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized, and capable of functioning effectively in a very independent situation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. Supervisory skills are desirable.


How to Apply
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following: a resume, cover letter, three work-related references and salary history by October 7th. To apply, send materials to info@mainstreetfairmont.org.

​The Preservation Alliance of WV honored preservationists from across the state during the 8th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet held at Halliehurst Mansion in Elkins on Friday, September 23, 2016.  This year’s event is part of the statewide historic preservation conference “This Place Matters” being held in Beverly and Elkins.  “Historic preservation award recipients are nominated by local community residents and selected through a competitive application process.  The winners are some of the most notable historic preservation projects in the state for 2016,” explained Danielle LaPresta, Executive Director for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.

The 2016 Historic Preservation Award Winners are:

Landscape Preservation Award – Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation for the preservation of Rich Mountain Battlefield in Randolph County.

Downtown Preservation Award – MountainPlex Properties for undertaking multiple historic preservation and re-use projects in historic Hinton, including the Ritz Theatre and the McCreery Hotel.

Cultural Preservation Award – Davis and Elkins College for its development of the Center for Railway Tourism and the preservation of multiple historic buildings on campus, including Halliehurst Mansion and Graceland Inn and Conference Center.

Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award – Toni Ogden of Lewisburg for her efforts in preserving historic cemeteries.

Preservation Achievement Award – Main Street Ripley for the Alpine Theatre restoration project.

​The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission in cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Culture & History, National Association of Preservation Commissions,Charles Town Historic Landmarks Commission,  Harpers Ferry Historic Landmarks Commission, Shepherdstown Historic Landmarks Commission  will present a continuing education workshop on October 27, 2016 at the newly renovated Charles Washington Hall in Charles Town, WV.

The event is open to all Eastern Panhandle area Real Estate professionals who upon completion of the workshop will receive 3.5 hours of continuing education credits through the West Virginia Real Estate Commission. The focus of the program is to provide real estate professionals with background and information on the importance of historic preservation and guided resources on marketing and promoting historic structures and properties in the area. Registration for this event is free with complimentary refreshments and lunch provided.

REGISTER at http://jeffersoncountyhlc.org/index.php/historic-preservation-for-eastern-panhandle-area-realty-professionals/

Where & When

• Charles Washington Hall, ca. 1786
  102 W. Washington Street
  Charles Town, WV
  25414
• October 27, 2016
  8am to 12:30pm
• Contact: Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission
  Email: HLCinfo@JeffersonCountyWV.org
• Contact: Pam Brooks, WV Division of Culture & History
  Email: pam.a.brooks@wv.gov

Agenda

• 8:00 – 8:30
  Registration
• 8:30 – 8:45
  Introduction
• 8:45 – 9:15
  What does Historic Mean: Why historic preservation and historic zoning matter. How is historic zoning an advantage to selling a property. Robin Zeigler
• 9:15 –9:45  
  Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation: The National Park Services Standards are the basis for design guidelines and using financial incentives. Learn the basics and you will be able to guide buyers and pair buyers with appropriate properties. Robin Zeigler
• 9:45 – 10:15
  Local Architecture: Lean about character defining features and speed through a quick intro to local architectural styles. Jennifer Brennan, West Virginia Department of Culture and History
• 10:15 – 10:30
  Break
• 10:30 – 11:00
  Sustainability & Energy Efficiency: There are many myths about historic buildings. Learn how they can actually be sustainable and energy efficient. Robin Zeigler
• 11:00 – 11:30
  Financial Incentives: Learn about the tax credits and development grants and how they can help to preserve historic sites. Jennifer Brennan, West Virginia Department of Culture and History
• 11:30 – 12:15
  How to Sell: Put together everything you have learned throughout the day in a hands-on exercise. Robin Zeigler
• 12:15 – 12:30
  Q & A

Featured Speakers:
Robin Zeigler is the historic zoning administrator for the Metro Nashville Historic Zoning Commission.  She was formerly senior historic preservation planner for the Planning Division of the Salt Lake City Corporation and the preservation planner for the City of Bowling Green in Kentucky.  While in Kentucky, she served as the vice-chairperson of the state-wide non-profit, Preservation Kentucky and was an adjunct professor at Western Kentucky University. Currently she is a National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s trainer (Commissioner Assistance and Mentoring Program) and serves on the Training Committee.  She is a past co-chair of the organization’s biennial conference and a former board member.  She has presented the Historic Preservation 101 for Realtors in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and West Virginia.  Currently she serves as co-chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Programming Committee.  She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University’s Public History Program where she worked for the Center for Historic Preservation and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.

Jennifer Brennan serves as the Tax Credit Coordinator and as a Development Grant monitor with the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.  In these roles, Ms. Brennan works with property owners who are interested in the rehabilitation of historic properties, often for investment purposes.  Additionally, she works with private homeowners who are working on the rehabilitation of their private residence. In 2015, Ms. Brennan completed the National Development Council Historic Real Estate Training program, which focuses on the development process as it relates to structuring deals for the development of historic properties.  Additionally, Ms. Brennan works as the Certified Local Government Coordinator, working with city and county governments on their historic preservation ordinances.

Ms. Brennan received her Master’s degree in History with concentrations in Historic Preservation and Museum Studies from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro after completing undergraduate degrees in History and Historic Preservation at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Aurora Research Associates, LLC is hiring for two temporary architectural survey positions

Approximately three weeks of field work, not necessarily continuous, will take place in southern West Virginia in the fall of 2016.  Completion of survey inventory forms will continue through 2017.

Candidates should be willing and able to travel for field work and to work from home completing forms and historic research.  Knowledge of coal-related history and resources a plus.

Job title: Architectural History Field Surveyor 
Job Description: Temporary contract position assisting with architectural history survey in southern West Virginia.  Surveyor will work with team in the field documenting historic resources, including architectural features, materials, alterations, additions, and other data.

Must be available approximately 3 weeks of field work in West Virginia fall 2016.  Will also work at home in office completing West Virginia Historic Property Inventory forms; must have computer and internet connection for telecommuting.

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, history or related field.
• Willingness to learn architectural history and terms. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Flexible for travel for field work.
• Comfortable using iPad mobile applications, Microsoft Work and photo- editing software such as Photoshop.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and database software a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and transportation required.

Compensation: $15/hr
​
To apply, please send cover letter, resume and writing sample by September 30, 2016 to:  Courtney Zimmerman  Aurora Research Associates, LLC  1436 Graham Road  Silver Lake, OH 44224   or   courtney@aurora‐llc.com



Job title: Architectural Historian
Temporary contract position assisting with architectural history survey in southern West Virginia. Architectural historian will work with team in the field documenting historic resources including architectural features, materials, alterations, additions, and other data.

Must be available approximately 3 weeks of field work in West Virginia fall 2016.  Will also work at home or in office 1436 Graham Rod Silver Lake, OH 44224 completing and reviewing West Virginia Historic Property Inventory forms and assisting and writing; must have computer and internet connection for telecommuting.

Qualifications:  

• 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 at least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Flexible for travel for field work.
• Comfortable using iPad mobile applications, Microsfot Word, and photo-editing software such as Photoshop.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and database software a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and transportation required.

Compensation: $30/hr

To apply, please send cover letter, resume and writing sample by September 30, 2016 to:  Courtney Zimmerman  Aurora Research Associates, LLC  1436 Graham Road  Silver Lake, OH 44224   or   courtney@aurora‐llc.com