Vacancy at Columbia University Libraries
Job Title: Technical Assistant VI
Job Type: Support Staff, Full-Time Regular
Bargaining Unit: 1199 Clerical
Hours Per Week: 35
Job Family: Libraries
Salary Range: $22.43/hour
The Columbia University Libraries invite applications and nominations
for the position of Technical Assistant VI.
Under the direction of the Head Conservator and the Special Collections
Conservators, the Conservation Assistant will perform basic paper
conservation procedures such as surface cleaning, washing, re-sizing and
mending, on materials from the Libraries' rare and special collections.
Duties involve;
-Creating protective housings for single items and for collections, as
well as cutting mats and making cradles for exhibits.
-Working to meet deadlines for projects undertaken for other library units.
-Assisting with environmental monitoring, supply inventory, disaster
response and treatment documentation.
-Performing conservation treatments on selected general collections
materials, including sewing pamphlets, reattaching boards, encapsulating
maps and documents, repairing torn pages and making protective enclosures.
-Performing more complex binding treatments, depending on skill and
aptitude.
-Other duties as assigned.
*Medical exam will be required after probation period to determine
whether ½-face respirator may be worn. *
*Applicants will be asked to submit examples or photographs of their
bookbinding and conservation work, and to demonstrate certain hand
skills during the interview process.*
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicant MUST meet these minimum qualifications to be considered.
-High School Diploma or Equivalent
-One or more years full-time experience in conservation of rare or
valuable paper artifacts, in a library/archives setting or in a private
conservation studio or bindery, or an equivalent combination of
experience and education.
-Experience in multi-section bookbinding, making protective housings,
exhibit mounts, and other 3-dimensional constructions.
-Basic paper repair and book treatment techniques such as Japanese paper
and paste repairs, resewing and rebinding, washing, alkalizing and
re-sizing, and preparation of adhesives and other solutions.
-Superior manual dexterity, attention to detail, and ability to
concentrate on delicate, repetitive tasks.
-Ability to handle rare and fragile materials with appropriate care.
-Ability to recognize, after instruction by the supervisor, subtle
physical and visual characteristics of artifacts that may be altered by
inappropriate treatment.
-Ability to read and understand bibliographic information to allow
formatting of book labels and updating of databases as necessary.
-Ability to learn and understand principles of conservation and basic
materials science (readings from conservation technical literature may
be assigned).
-Ability to work independently when necessary and to take direction from
conservators.
-Good communication, interpersonal and organizational skills essential.
-Ability to consistently follow detailed procedures.
-Ability to change focus and duties according to assigned tasks.
-Basic word processing, spreadsheet and database skills to document
treatments that the incumbent performs and other lab duties.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Two or more years of experience in a library conservation lab,
experience in museum exhibits preparation.
-BA/BS degree preferred.
-Formal education in bookbinding preferred
-Familiarity with current conservation philosophy and ethics.
-Ability to read and understand bibliographic information to allow
formatting of book labels and updating of databases as necessary.
Requisition Open Date: 07-02-2018
Requisition Close Date: Open Until Filled
To apply: https://jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=170395
Please include a cover letter and resume.
Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local
residents.
Alexis Hagadorn
Head of Conservation
Columbia University Libraries
New York, NY USA
[email protected]
******
Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected]
Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
