University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210033
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0033
640 Langsam Library
Phone: (513) 556-1599
Fax: (513) 556-0325
POSITION: Senior Conservation Technician
EFFECTIVE DATE:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The University of Cincinnati Libraries seeks a collaborative, motivated, and skilled individual to preserve and conserve the cultural heritage materials, primarily book and paper, of the two cooperating institutions. The primary responsibilities of the Senior Conservation Technician include conservation treatment of special collections/medium rare materials, exhibition preparation, and special conservation projects. The lab is an open, hybrid lab environment with a staff of seven, as well as students and volunteers. The lab is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, and is a collaborative lab that is jointly managed, staffed, and funded by both UC Libraries and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH).
RELATIONSHIP AND AUTHORITY: The Senior Conservation Technician reports to the Head, Preservation Services and Lab and receives direction from the lab conservator. Provides functional supervision to student workers when the student supervisor is unavailable. Mentors lab volunteers.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Performs intermediate to advanced conservation treatments on special collection and medium rare items from the collections of UC Libraries (UCL) and Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH). Stays abreast of current techniques by subscribing to conservation listservs, referring to Preservation Services’ reference collection, attending workshops, and seeking advice and direction from the lab conservator.
· Evaluates materials from UCL and PLCH medium rare collections and determines the proper treatment based on established conservation and departmental standards and in consultation with lab conservator as appropriate.
· Partners with Digital Collections & Repositories on the planning and implementation of digitization projects. Takes a leadership role in determining conservation needs before digitization, advises on handling procedures and standards during digitization, considering the preservation needs of the materials recommends scanning equipment on object by object basis, and coordinates post-digitization rehousing.
· Participates in appropriate committees, task forces, and organizations engaged in planning, coordinating, and continuous improvement of the physical and digital preservation of UC Libraries holdings and scholarly output.
· Coordinates and executes exhibit preparation including – conservation treatment, condition reports, custom enclosures, custom cradles, custom matting, and labeling.
· Coordinates and executes special conservation/preservation projects including, but not limited to, rehousing, environmental monitoring and analysis, storage planning, etc.
· Member of UCL Disaster Recovery Team; UCL and PLCH engage in mutual aid during disaster recovery.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree or combination of degree and relevant experience
Training in book and paper conservation through a formal training program or on-the-job training of 3 or more years
Experience in a recognized conservation facility
Computer skills and experience with conservation treatment databases and image editing software
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with photographic documentation of conservation treatments; knowledge of photographic documentation standards and workflows
Experience with metadata, especially to describe images – IPTC Core, Dublin Core, VRA Core
Experience with digitization processes and workflows, and digital collections.
Experience working with special collections
Experience with exhibition preparation
Experience with matting
Knowledge and/or experience with disaster recovery procedures