Conservation Technician Position at Northwestern University Libraries

Job ID: 40972

Department: Northwestern University Libraries Preservation Department

Title: Conservation Technician

Job Summary:

The Conservation Technician is based in the Preservation Work group, reports to the Chief Conservator and has the primary responsibility of coordinating and performing conservation treatments and housings on both circulating and special collections materials.  They play an important role in disaster response, exhibits, departmental policy and other activities.

Please Note: Under current COVID conditions, this position is 20% remote work, but is anticipated to return to 100% on-site work. Work is in the library conservation lab and may involve working for periods of time in the library stacks doing collection surveys and assessments. Many duties take place in a lab environment (library conservation lab), but will involve working for periods of time in the library stacks standing, and/or bending/kneeling completing collection surveys and assessments. Must be able to move and lift up to 30 pounds, and have the ability to push/pull loaded book trucks.

This position will be on-site on the Evanston campus for a minimum of 80% of time (four days a week) immediately upon hire, with the expectation that the individual will work on-site 100% as in-person staffing levels on campus resume. This will continually be evaluated and terms may change based on business needs and/or as conditions related to the pandemic evolve.

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume. During the interview process, candidates will be asked for a portfolio of at least three examples of book and paper conservation treatments, book bindings, housings, or other related experience.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and performs a variety of conservation treatments and housings on materials from the circulating collections.
  • Treatments include re-sewing, re-backing, repairing damaged paper, repairing existing covers, and constructing new covers. Treatments are completed in accordance with established departmental guidelines.
  • Constructs boxes, wrappers, and other protective enclosures. Assists as needed with shelf preparation and bindery preparation.
  • Works on projects in coordination with other library assistants.
  • Effectively manages time to complete deadline-driven work. Utilizes good communication skills to convey changes in scope of work that may affect project deadlines. Monitors conservation lab supplies to insure that materials for ongoing workflow as well as special projects are available when needed. Maintains accurate statistics for all completed work.
• Performs a variety of higher level conservation treatments and housings with an emphasis on non-circulating materials used for exhibition, teaching and research. 
  • Treatments include re-sewing, re-backing, repairing damaged paper, repairing existing covers, constructing new covers, washing paper, humidifying paper and parchment, deacidifying paper, and encapsulating brittle or fragile items. Treatments are completed in accordance with established departmental guidelines.
  • Completes written and photographic treatment documentation to established standards.
  • Constructs boxes, wrappers, and other protective enclosures for books and other three dimensional objects.
  • Effectively manages time to complete deadline-driven work. Utilizes good communication skills to convey changes in scope of work that may affect project deadlines. Monitors conservation lab supplies to insure that materials for ongoing workflow as well as special projects are available when needed. Maintains accurate statistics for all completed work.
• Assists with the installation of exhibits, including placement of materials, creation of labels, and construction of book cradles.
• Assists Chief Conservator to insure that materials are being handled according to established exhibition guidelines:
  • Reviews material scheduled for exhibition or loan and works with Chief Conservator to determine if conservation treatments is required.
  • Reviews exhibit to insure compliance with established guidelines regarding light levels and placement of exhibit cases.
  • Assists in the proper packing of materials going out on loan and prepares preservation paperwork, including exhibition instructions and documentation.
  • Effectively manages time to complete deadline-driven work. Utilizes good communication skills to convey changes in scope of work that may affect project deadlines. Monitors exhibit supplies; organizes and oversees inventory of exhibit cradles and mounts.
• Assists with disaster planning and response, assessment and review of new collections, and the implementation of collection surveys for preservation planning purposes.  Responds to unanticipated issues.
• Participates in weekly conservation lab meetings (and/or training sessions) to discuss workflow and treatment decision making. 
• Meets as needed with curators and other responsible parties to discuss treatment options and conservation needs.
• Reviews policies and procedures; proposes improvements; raises issues to supervisor and begins to outline potential solutions for these problems. 
• Monitors the professional landscape through reading and professional development.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Excellent manual dexterity as demonstrated through previous bookbinding or conservation experience or other work requiring a high level of eye-hand coordination.
• Experience with MS Office, including spreadsheets and databases; knowledge of email and calendar software.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and good interpersonal skills
• Facilitates open and effective communication, cooperation and teamwork within and outside of one’s own team; respects the needs and contributions of others.
• Effectively performs duties and responsibilities; displays attention to detail; follows a logical process/method for problem solving; supports organizational policies; anticipates demands/pressures of assignments and adjusts accordingly.
• Demonstrates ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with critical deadlines.
• Ability to push/pull loaded book trucks; ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in conservation treatments including full range of circulation collection repairs (rebacking, recasing, pamphlet binding, drop spine box and wrapper construction, resewing paper repair, repair of leather bindings with tissue)
• Demonstrated understanding of conservation principles.
• Experience using OCLC and ALMA library management system.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Successfully uses multiple software programs independently, including Adobe Suite and FileMaker Pro.
• Identifies opportunities to improve procedures and practices; shows imagination.

Please see the full position announcement available at: https://careers.northwestern.edu/psc/hr857prd_er/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U

The base salary for this permanent position starts at $17.06/hour, 37.5 hours per week.  Professional development funding is available.  First consideration given to applications received before July 7, 2021.  If you have any questions about the position, please contact: Library Organizational Development <library-orgdevelopment@northwestern.edu>

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

Thanks,

Susan

Susan Russick (she/her/hers)

Chief Conservator

Northwestern University Libraries

Northwestern University

1970 Campus Drive

Evanston, IL 60208

www.library.northwestern.edu

susan-russick@northwestern.edu

847.491.3840