Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Heritage Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Heritage Coordinator is the primary steward of a community's tangible and intangible history. This role acts as a crucial bridge connecting past, present, and future by identifying, evaluating, conserving, and promoting cultural heritage resources. The Heritage Coordinator provides specialized expertise and guidance to the public, private developers, and internal departments, ensuring that development and community growth occur in a way that respects and enhances the unique historical character of the area. This position is not just administrative; it's a dynamic blend of research, public engagement, policy development, and project management, all dedicated to weaving the story of a place into its ongoing evolution.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Heritage Assistant or Intern
Museum Technician or Curatorial Assistant
Junior Planner or Planning Technician with a heritage focus

Advancement To:

Senior Heritage Coordinator or Senior Heritage Planner
Cultural Resources Manager or Heritage Program Manager
Director of Culture & Heritage Services

Lateral Moves:

Policy Advisor (Culture, Planning, or Tourism)
Archivist or Collections Manager
Community Engagement Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive heritage management plans and conservation strategies that align with municipal and regional planning objectives.
Conduct in-depth historical and archival research on individual properties, cultural landscapes, and potential heritage districts to support evaluation and designation.
Coordinate the formal review of development applications, building permits, and site alteration plans to assess potential impacts on designated and listed heritage resources.
Serve as the primary professional resource, providing expert advice and guidance on heritage conservation principles and best practices to property owners, developers, architects, and the general public.
Manage and maintain the municipal Heritage Register, including the inventory, evaluation, and formal designation process for properties of cultural heritage value or interest.
Prepare detailed and defensible staff reports, briefing notes, and compelling presentations for Heritage Advisory Committees, Planning Committees, and City/Town Council.
Administer heritage grant programs and other financial incentive initiatives, including marketing the programs, reviewing applications, and managing the allocation of funds.
Lead and facilitate public consultation and community engagement initiatives, such as open houses, workshops, and surveys, to ensure community input is integral to heritage projects.
Act as the main point of contact and liaison between the municipality, the Heritage Advisory Committee, community heritage organizations, and historical societies.
Review and critically analyze Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs), Conservation Plans, and other technical studies submitted in support of development applications.
Ensure all heritage-related activities and decisions are in strict compliance with relevant provincial/state legislation, municipal by-laws, and official plan policies.
Develop and deliver innovative educational programs, interpretive materials, and public-facing content (e.g., web content, walking tours, plaques) to foster public awareness and appreciation of local history.

Secondary Functions

Oversee the full lifecycle of heritage conservation projects, from initial scoping, budget development, and stakeholder consultation to contractor procurement and final report generation.
Manage and utilize specialized databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the effective tracking, mapping, and analysis of cultural heritage resources within the jurisdiction.
Proactively identify and pursue external funding opportunities by writing and managing grant applications to provincial/state, federal, and private funding bodies.
Provide professional testimony and represent the municipality's heritage interests as an expert witness at quasi-judicial hearings, such as the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) or similar appeal boards.
Monitor the physical condition of designated heritage properties through site visits and proactive communication, liaising with property owners on appropriate maintenance, repair, and restoration work.
Research, draft, and recommend updates to heritage policies, official plan amendments, zoning by-laws, and conservation design guidelines to reflect emerging best practices.
Coordinate and execute special events, heritage awards programs, and other celebratory initiatives designed to recognize and promote exemplary heritage stewardship in the community.
Participate actively in inter-departmental teams and working groups to ensure that heritage conservation objectives are successfully integrated into broader corporate initiatives like urban planning, infrastructure projects, and tourism strategies.
Respond professionally and in a timely manner to complex and sensitive inquiries regarding heritage matters from the media, elected officials, and the public.
Collaborate with Indigenous communities and representatives to identify, protect, and interpret Indigenous cultural heritage and archaeological resources.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Heritage Legislation Expertise: In-depth knowledge and practical ability to interpret and apply relevant heritage legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., Ontario Heritage Act, National Historic Preservation Act).
Historical & Architectural Research: Advanced proficiency in conducting primary and secondary source research using archives, land records, and other historical documents to establish cultural and architectural significance.
Impact Assessment Review: The ability to critically read, analyze, and provide professional comments on technical documents such as Heritage Impact Assessments, cultural landscape studies, and conservation plans.
Grant Writing & Administration: Proven experience in successfully writing grant proposals to secure funding and administering the financial and reporting requirements of grant programs.
Project Management: Strong capability in managing multiple projects simultaneously, including defining scope, creating budgets and timelines, and overseeing contractors and consultants.
GIS & Database Management: Familiarity with using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software for spatial analysis and managing databases for cultural resource management (CRM).
Architectural Plan Interpretation: Competence in reading and interpreting architectural drawings, site plans, and construction documents to assess proposed alterations to heritage structures.

Soft Skills

Stakeholder Engagement & Diplomacy: Exceptional interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including property owners, developers, community groups, and government officials.
Communication & Presentation: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex heritage concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and lay audiences.
Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Adept at navigating contentious situations and facilitating constructive dialogue to find mutually agreeable solutions that balance development interests with conservation goals.
Political Acuity: A keen understanding of municipal governance and the ability to operate effectively within a political environment, providing objective advice with tact and discretion.
Analytical & Critical Thinking: The ability to synthesize large amounts of information, identify key issues, and develop logical, well-reasoned recommendations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university.

Preferred Education:

A Master's degree in a relevant field is highly preferred and often a key differentiator.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Heritage Conservation or Historic Preservation
Urban Planning (with a specialization in heritage)
Architectural History or Architecture
Public History or Applied History
Museum Studies or Cultural Resource Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of direct, professional experience in a heritage planning or cultural resource management role, preferably within a municipal government context or a heritage consulting firm.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive experience, including demonstrated success in leading complex heritage projects, policy development, and managing grant programs. Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) or a similar professional organization is a strong asset.