Job opportunity at Northwestern University Library

Nov 18

Conservation Technician

Position available to Non-librarians

The Conservation Technician is based in the Preservation Work Group, reports to the Chief Conservator, and has the primary responsibility of performing a broad range of conservation treatments as well as constructing or retrofitting housings for circulating and non-circulating library material. Assists with surveys, disaster planning and response, assessment and stabilization of new collections, internal and external preservation education initiatives, and other activities related to the day to day operation of the conservation lab. The Conservation Technician plays an important role in providing technical support for an active library exhibits program.

Please note: Duties mainly take place in a lab environment (library conservation lab), but infrequently 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.

Please note: The target budgeted minimum starting salary for this position is $33,180. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

General Information

Position Title: Conservation Technician
Job Title: Conservation Technician

Department: Preservation
Full Time
Job Status: Open
Available positions: 1
Posted: 11/11/2021

Job Details

Responsibilities:

Performs conservation treatments on paper, cloth, and leather bindings 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
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 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

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

Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience where similar knowledge, skills and abilities may be acquired
Excellent manual dexterity as demonstrated through previous bookbinding or conservation experience or other work requiring a high level of eye-hand coordination
Successfully uses multiple software programs independently. Experience with MS Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and web browsers. Knowledge of creating and maintaining spreadsheets and databases

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

Communicates effectively one-to-one, in small groups and in public speaking contexts; writes precise, well-organized emails, letters and proposals while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar
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
Demonstrates logic, rationality and objectivity; shows common sense; uses all available information to make educated decisions
Strives for excellence with work processes and outcomes, honoring University policies and regulatory requirements

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)

Experience with Adobe Suite and FileMaker Pro
Identifies opportunities to improve procedures and practices; shows imagination
Exhibits energy and desire to achieve; sets ambitious goals and acts decisively; takes action that no one has requested to improve or enhance job results and avoid problems

Information for Applicants

Job ID: 42688
Location: Evanston

Apply for this job online through the Office of Human Resource’s Careers Portal. You will need to locate this job to get started; conduct an advanced search of all jobs and enter the Job ID above in the “Job Opening ID” field.

APPLY NOW THROUGH NORTHWESTERN HR

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

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. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.).

Melina Avery