Job Description
Posting closes on 4/20/2026 The Department Historian is responsible for researching, documenting, preserving, and making accessible the historical record and institutional knowledge of the Arkansas Department of Transportation. This position ensures that the Department’s history, including major infrastructure projects, policy decisions, leadership actions, legislative changes, and organizational changes, are accurately recorded and preserved in compliance with public records laws and archival standards. The Historian supports executive leadership, public information, legal research, and public education by providing authoritative historical context.
Examples of Work The following examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. No attempt is made to be exhaustive. Related, similar, or other logical duties are performed as assigned. The Department may require employees to perform functions beyond those contained in job descriptions. The Department may modify job descriptions based on Department needs. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is an "at will" employer.
- Research and document the history of the Department, including major transportation projects and programs, policy and regulatory changes, organizational restructuring governance as well as leadership and agency milestones
- Prepare historical narratives, timelines, reports, and briefing materials for executive leadership, legislative inquiries and public use.
- Conduct and document oral history interviews with current and former executives, engineers, project managers and long-tenured employees.
- Establish and maintain a centralized ARDOT historical archive, including physical and digital materials such as reports, plans, photographs, maps, videos and publications.
- Identify historically significant records for long-term preservation in coordination with the Arkansas State Archives.
- Capture and preserve institutional knowledge related to major projects, funding mechanisms and policy decisions to support continuity during leadership transitions.
- Provide historical context to support strategic planning, program evaluations, litigation support and right-of-way or project history research.
- Serve as the Department’s subject matter expert on historical matters.
- Develop accurate historical content for Department websites and publications, educational outreach and public exhibits for anniversary or milestone events.
- Respond to internal and external requests for historical information.
- Ensure historical work is objective, fact-based and properly sourced.
- Coordinate with ARDOT’s Librarian to facilitate sharing access and publishing information as a part of the knowledge management program.
- Develop guidelines for documenting, referencing and publishing historical materials in a public-sector context.
Minimum Requirements Education and experience: The educational equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in history, public history, archival studies, library science, public administration or a related field OR the educational equivalent to a diploma from an accredited high school plus four years of related experience. Experience in historical research, archives, records management or public-sector documentation. Experience working with government records, infrastructure documentation or technical reports preferred. Experience conducting interviews and producing formal written reports.
Knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge of public records laws, records retention, and archival standards. Strong research, writing, and analytical skills. Ability to interpret engineering, planning, and policy documents for historical purposes. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Ability to work independently and collaborate across divisions. Professional judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information.
Working conditions: Office environment. Occasional instate travel as needed.
Licenses, registrations and certifications: Valid driver’s license.
("Accredited" means the educational institution or program is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized either by the United States Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.)
A criminal background check will be required to determine suitability of employment, and failure to meet these standards may cause the applicant to be rejected or terminated from that position. This position does not require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge or a bachelor’s degree or higher in the field; thus, this position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Job Tags
H1b, Work at office