Job Posting: Senior Conservation Technician for Exhibitions Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts University of Pennsylvania Libraries http://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/postings/36365
The University of Pennsylvania Libraries seeks a Senior Conservation Technician for Exhibitions to join our dynamic new conservation program within a vibrant and innovative academic library setting. To learn more about the Penn Libraries Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts visit http://www.library.upenn.edu/kislak. Reporting to the Margy E. Meyerson Head of Conservation, the Senior Conservation Technician position is responsible for carrying out a high variety of advanced, technical tasks related to the preservation and conservation of the special collections of the Penn Libraries. These tasks include stabilization conservation treatment on a wide range of collection materials and the proposal, design, fabrication, and implementation of customized exhibition mounts, mats, frames, and other methods of display in preparation for exhibitions and loans. The position is a core member of the Conservation staff and will be expected to work closely with exhibition designers, art handlers, registrarial staff, curators, reading room staff, student assistants, and other library staff. Tasks are performed at an advanced and independent level after consultation with and instruction from the supervisor. Job Duties and Responsibilities * Designs and fabricates appropriate, protective supports and/or enclosures for collection materials through activities such as mount making, hinging, matting, framing, and installation; preparation also may involve cleaning, documentation, materials testing, and environmental conditioning. * Review facility reports and assist in developing environmental specifications for specific materials. Create pre-conditioned microenvironments (e.g. silica gel). * Participate in exhibition and loan activities including review of facilities reports and environmental specifications; conducting exhibition reviews, and on-site installation and local courier trips as needed. * Design, plan, and implement the packing and transport of collection materials for exhibition and loans. Select, modify, and/or fabricate appropriate containers and transport systems. Assist with and/or provide training in packing and transport methods. * Performs stabilization and aesthetic conservation treatment on collection materials in preparation for exhibits and loans, including: examination, assessment, documentation, photography, surface cleaning, repair, mending and filling losses, stain reduction, and other treatment techniques. * Requires analytical and evaluative skills to judiciously evaluate vulnerable materials and propose appropriate solutions. Applies knowledge of conservation theory and practice to identify condition issues, suggest appropriate treatment, and display approaches to prolong the lifespan of collections materials on temporary display for exhibitions and loans. * Prepares and contributes to documentation, data collection, and condition surveys in written and photographic formats. Maintains accurate statistics for all completed work. * Assists in the general maintenance and organization of the conservation laboratory, prepares solutions and other treatment essentials, contributes to supply inventory. * Assists, when needed, with directing and training interns and student workers. * Utilizes good communication skills to convey changes in scope of work that may affect project deadlines. Ability to work collegially across a large, complex, and dynamic organizational setting. * Demonstrates patience to work under pressure to maintain time-sensitive schedule and meet deadlines, as well as considerable skill, craftsmanship, concentration, and efficiency in the performance of their responsibilities. * Assists with other tasks as necessary. Please see the official posting for more information including desired qualifications, benefits, and application instructions. http://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/postings/36365 If you have any questions about the position please contact: Sarah Reidell Margy E. Meyerson Head of Conservation University of Pennsylvania Libraries 3420 Walnut Street, Room 504 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206 215.746.8370 [email protected] ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
