Position at Smithsonian Institution Libraries

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries is seeking a Book Conservator to
work in the Book Conservation Laboratory of the Preservation Services
Department.

Level:  GS-9 with promotion potential to GS-11 (Salary: $27,789)

Duties include conservation treatments of bound and unbound collections
characterized by historical significance, rarity, value, and the
occasional presence of complex technical problems.  Conservation
treatments include, but are not limited to, the following:  use of
proper disbinding techniques to ensure the least damage to the
bibliographic integrity of the object; aqueous and non-aqueous
treatments; use of binocular microscope in the examination of flat paper
and book leaves; flattening, humidifying and lining; tape/adhesive
removal, stain reduction and solvent treatment, dry cleaning; sewing,
board attachment and endband construction; covering or repairing using
paper, cloth, leather, vellum and alum-tawed materials; lettering in
foil and/or leaf; matting of fragile and vulnerable materials; and the
construction of protective enclosures for the physical protection of
materials.

Works with Senior Book Conservator and the Head, Preservation  Services
Department to set priorities for the conservation unit.  Assists with
development of standards for the physical maintenance of the
collections and with the development of training programs for library
staff responsible for collections maintenance.  Assists in the
preparation of educational materials and in training of staff in sound
conservation practices.  Supervises environmental monitoring program
for SIL.  Provides technical supervision for General Collections Repair
Program and Conservation Technician.  Monitors workflow and evaluates
treatments per formed.

Qualifications: Candidates must have at least 1 year of specialized
experience at least equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal Service,
or 2 full academic years of graduate level education or master's or
equivalent graduate degree. Specialized experience is experience which
is directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and
which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills,
and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
Combinations of graduate education and experience may be used to meet
basic qualifications.

Selective Factor:  Knowledge in the science and principles of book
conservation and application of a variety of conservation treatments.

Quality Ranking Factors:

1.  Knowledge in the science and principles of rare book conservation
and application of a variety of conservation treatments.

2.  Ability to manage and provide technical supervision for a general
collections conservation, phase conservation or in-house repair unit.

3.  Knowledge of the principles and practices of library and information
science.

Note: Relocation Expenses may be Paid.

In addition to an Application for Federal Employment (SF-171) applicants
should 4009 Bradley Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815submit a supplemental
sheet giving specific examples of experience and training which apply to
each of the selective and/or quality ranking factors.  This experience
and training must also be included in the SF-171.

Competitive examining authority has been delegated to the Smithsonian
Institution by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.  Nonstatus
applications will be forwarded to the Delegated Examining Unit for
rating, ranking, and referral.  Status candidates who wish to be rated
under both merit promotion and competitive procedures must submit two
complete applications.

Applications must be submitted to one of the addresses below and must be
postmarked by the closing date.

Send your application to:
    Smithsonian Institution, Office of Human Resources
    Branch 3, PO Box 23294
    Washington, D.C. 20026-3294
          or

Bring your application to:
    955 L'enfant Plaza, S.W.
    Employment Office, Suite 2100
    Washington, D.C.

For information about the job content, please call either Susan Blaine,
Head, Preservation Services Department (202-357-1766) or Janice
Stagnitto, Book Conservator (202-357-1486).

For information about the application process, please call 202-287-2475.

The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer.

Nancy E. Gwinn                      EMAIL: libem005 [at] sivm__si__edu
Asst. Dir., Collections Management
Smithsonian Institution Libraries   Phone: 202-357-1850

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 7:12
                   Distributed: Monday, July 19, 1993
                        Message Id: cdl-7-12-009
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