Altadena Project Manager

Altadena Project Manager, Cultural Asset Mapping (CAM) Initiative

Temporary Position through December 31, 2028

Position Summary

The Los Angeles Conservancy seeks a detail-oriented and mission-aligned Altadena Project Manager to lead the Altadena Cultural Asset Mapping (CAM) Initiative, a three-year collaborative project that will document and celebrate the historic and cultural assets that define Altadena’s unique sense of place.

The CAM Initiative is a community-designed process to recognize the living heritage of Altadena—its gathering places, local businesses, art, and traditions that may not fit traditional measures of architectural or historical significance but are deeply valued by residents and the broader community. Through a combination of spatial analysis, oral histories, and storytelling, CAM will visualize both tangible and intangible heritage across geography and time.

Led by the Los Angeles Conservancy in partnership with community organizations including Altadena Heritage, Altadena Historical Society, Altadena Rebuild Coalition, Altadena Rising, and SoCal NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects), the CAM Initiative will map and share the stories, places, and traditions that represent Altadena’s multifaceted cultural landscape. This work will acknowledge the tremendous loss experienced by the Altadena community and help build a foundation for community-driven cultural preservation and placekeeping, local planning, and future recognition efforts.

The Altadena Project Manager will oversee all aspects of this initiative—from planning and coordination through data collection, analysis, and dissemination—ensuring successful delivery of project goals, schedules, and partnerships. This position is a full-time, temporary role tied to the duration of the CAM Initiative and the end of 2028. The position will report directly to the Conservancy’s President & CEO.

About the Los Angeles Conservancy

Founded in 1978, the Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Greater Los Angeles’ architectural and cultural heritage. With approximately 4,500 member households, the Conservancy is the largest local historic preservation organization in the United States, supported by a staff of sixteen and an annual budget exceeding $3 million.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Altadena Cultural Asset Mapping (CAM) Initiative in partnership with community collaborators and a Heritage Specialist consultant team,
• Apply creative thinking, empathy, and trauma-informed practices to guide engagement and decision-making.
• Develop and oversee comprehensive project work plans, timelines, budgets, and milestones to ensure all deliverables are met while adapting to evolving community needs.
• Coordinate all project phases—from outreach and data gathering to synthesis and dissemination—with a strong emphasis on collaboration and transparency and thoughtful problem solving
• Coordinate with the Conservancy’s broader Altadena recovery efforts, including Historic Resources Survey, Historic Context Statement, and Artists at Work collaborations.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with local partners, organizations, and residents to ensure inclusive participation, trust, and shared ownership.
• Design and facilitate community engagement activities such as listening sessions, walking tours, public workshops, and digital storytelling efforts centering empathy and culturally responsive approaches.
• Compile and analyze spatial, archival, and oral history data to identify and prioritize significant sites and traditions for recognition.
• Collaborate with partners, consultants, and local stakeholders to identify desired cultural preservation outcomes and develop community-informed preservation strategies.
• Develop and manage a communications plan (web, social media, community meetings, and briefings) to share progress and results with participants and the wider public.
• Draft and deliver project updates, presentations, and visual content for multiple audiences, including funders, community partners, and Conservancy leadership.
• Represent the Conservancy at meetings, community events, and public forums with professionalism, empathy, and responsiveness to community perspectives.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in historic preservation, urban planning, geography, public history, architecture, arts and culture, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• 3–5 years of demonstrated experience managing complex, collaborative community projects and coordinating multi-partner initiatives
• Strong skills in community engagement, facilitation, or collaborative project work with neighborhood-based organizations or cultural institutions, grounded in empathy and relationship-building.
• Familiarity with Altadena’s history, community networks, and heritage landscape.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and partnership-building skills.
• Excellent writing and presentation abilities, including translating technical material for broad and diverse audiences.
• Commitment to equity-focused, inclusive cultural preservation practices.
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting and contract oversight.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Established resident or strong local knowledge of the Altadena community.
• Bilingual abilities in Spanish is a plus.
• Experience with GIS or data visualization platforms is a plus.

Work Environment and Schedule

This hybrid position allows for remote work with one required in-office day per week at the Conservancy’s Downtown Los Angeles location. Evening and weekend meetings or community

events will be required periodically.

The role offers an excellent benefits package, including health, dental, and life insurance; paid holidays and vacation; and a 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of continuous employment.