The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) seeks a conference facilitator to develop, plan, and implement a two-day symposium on the preservation and stewardship of Civil War battlefields to be held in Spring 2014.

Background

Virginia represents a model for successful cooperative Civil War battlefield preservation and stewardship. However these partnerships are challenged by differences in understanding about the significance and integrity of battlefield properties, and how to best accomplish the long-term stewardship of such properties. 

In an effort to reach a common understanding and vision to promote strategic targeting of increasingly scarce battlefield resources for permanent preservation, DHR will organize and present a two-day workshop/symposium to provide professional training on battlefield landscape analysis and battlefield stewardship for Virginias key battlefield conservation and landholding partners.  The workshop will focus on how best to advance battlefield preservation using available historic preservation and conservation easement programs during the American Civil War Sesquicentennial.  The workshop will be facilitated by a consultant with expertise in cultural landscape analysis, land conservation, battlefield preservation, archaeology, and/or historic landscape preservation who will develop training materials and a training manual in cooperation with VDHR staff, oversee the production of these materials, facilitate the training and sessions, and prepare a final training manual and final workshop report for production and distribution to workshop participants and for posting online.  

This project is pursuant to a planning grant awarded through the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Facilitator will design and organize a two-day Civil War Battlefield Symposium in conjunction with DHR staff and Logistics Coordinator. The Project Facilitator is also responsible for duties outlined below as well as other duties as may be required in the course of the project:

1.       Symposium Agenda: develop and finalize the agenda, including session topics, speakers, presentations, and field tours with DHR staff.

2.       Speaker & Presenter Selection: identify and invite subject matter experts to participate as speakers/presenters at the symposium in conjunction with DHR staff.

3.       Target Audience: develop and finalize a list of target attendees and organizations and coordinate invitations with Logistics Coordinator.

4.       Training Manuals: develop and produce a training manual for attendees on cultural landscape analysis, documentation, and stewardship of battlefields, relating to the symposium sessions.

5.       Presentations: coordinate submission of presentations and materials by speakers and presenters.

6.       Progress Reports: periodically submit written progress reports to DHR staff regarding project deliverables.

7.       Event: facilitate and participate in the two-day symposium.

8.       Post-Event Reports: produce and distribute the final training manual to participants and for online posting. Produce and distribute final reports.

9.       General: assist in all other conference areas as necessary.

Desired Skills

The successful candidate for this position should demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in his or her work, the ability to set priorities when multiple demands are present and to work at his or her own initiative.  The position re