Conservator
Job Summary:
The Conservator is the lead conservation staff member for the archival collection.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Identifies conservation problems and performs appropriate treatment interventions based on established standards for primarily paper, books, and photographs, but also artifacts, and textiles. Fields questions and requests from staff about conservation needs. Ensures that rush requests are filled in a timely manner. Keeps conservation documentation and tracks personal and staff work statistics via an Inmagic database.
- Oversees housing of special needs collection items. Prepare library materials for loans and exhibitions. Monitors and records environmental conditions of collection vaults. Works with facilities and building managers to troubleshoot problems as needed.
- Supervises a conservation technician, and temporary interns, preparators or contract conservators as needed. Educates or trains staff members from other departments on best practices for the handling and storage of collection items as needed. Periodically works or consults with Academy departments outside of the library to solve any conservation or preservation related problems as needed.
- Organizes and maintains supply inventories for the laboratory in accordance with appropriate health and safety guidelines. Sources preservation and storage materials for other departments as needed. Performs maintenance on specialized conservation tools and equipment. Is prepared to assist with disaster recovery operations following standard recovery procedures.
- Maintains awareness of current conservation techniques by reading current literature, attending lectures/workshops, etc.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Graduate level degree in conservation, plus three to five years professional experience in conservation working with rare and special collections materials in an institution settings.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the fundamentals and techniques of paper treatment and conservation is required. Experience with an additional range of materials is desired, including photographs, objects, and textiles. A portfolio of relevant work is required.
- Experience in directing the work of others.
- Strong computer skills including experience and proficiency with library/museum databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and digital photo editing.
- Membership and participation in major conservation associations such as AIC or IIC.
To Apply:
Please submit your cover letter and resume to:jobs@oscars.org
