Positions at Minnesota Historical Society

Paper and Book Conservator
Minnesota Historical Society

Minnesota Historical Society's Conservation Department seeks a Paper
and Book Conservator to to provide conservation treatment for MHS
book and paper collections, manage the book and  paper conservation
laboratory as part of the Conservation Department.  Related aspects
of the division's conservation program include assisting the Head of
Conservation in formulating policies, priorities, standards and
procedures for long- term preservation of books and paper
collections held by the Society and to provide skilled technical
expertise and professional advice to MHS staff and other clientele.
This is a full-time regular position located at the Minnesota
History Center in St. Paul, MN.

Summary of Work:  Major responsibilities include the following: 1)
executes preservation measures and conservation treatments to
protect and conserve items within MHS collections assuring that
procedures are performed in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics
and  Guidelines for Practice so that the least disruptive treatment
is performed, does not adversely affect its future examination,
scientific investigation, treatment or function, and that
compensation for loss is as reversible as practical; 2) researches
and prepares recommendations on conservation policies, procedures,
methods, equipment and materials to keep abreast with recent
developments and advances in the field of book and paper
conservation and thereby optimizing the preservation of MHS
collections;  3) supervises the work of the lab assistants and
technician so that the execution of remedial repairs, storage
housings, exhibit mounts, commercial bindery preparation, and other
assigned tasks are accomplished in accordance with conservation lab
standards, priorities and schedules; 4) provides advice and
education, as needed or requested, to other MHS staff, other
agencies and the general public regarding book and paper
conservation theory and practice, so that the general awareness of
conservation needs of collections and individual items will be
increased and proper conservation practices fostered; 5) maintains
laboratory equipment and materials so that lab operation can proceed
with optimal efficiency;  6) reports regularly on the lab's
operation and progress toward work plans and goals so that the Head
of Conservation and other staff are aware of issues, progress, and
activities of the lab, work is coordinated with other departments
and divisions, and future activities effectively planned; and 7)
perform related work as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

    Graduation from an accredited conservation program and 5 years
    work experience or an equivalent in education and experience in
    book and/or paper conservation.

    Extensive knowledge of conservation theory, chemistry, and
    practices; thorough knowledge of 19th and 20th century book and
    paper history, materials, and construction.

    Demonstrably well developed skills in the examination,
    evaluation, treatment, and documentation of library or archival
    collections.

    Experience in project planning, management, and supervision.

    Excellent interpersonal skills.

    Ability and willingness to exercise independent judgment in
    matters involving technical expertise.

    Ability to organize work schedules, determine priorities,
    maintain supplies and prepare reports so as to maintain high
    productivity, high quality and an efficient flow of work.

Desirable Qualifications:

    Six to eight years work experience in addition to graduation
    from and accredited conservation program.

    The ideal candidate will have broad and extensive specialized
    knowledge of conservation theory and practice for books, paper,
    photographs, and other library and archive materials.

    Previous supervisory experience in a related environment.

    The ideal candidate will have well developed skills in the
    examination, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of both
    bound and flat paper collections typically found in research
    libraries and archives

    Ability to communicate orally and in writing and to teach
    conservation principles and practices to staff, interns,
    volunteers and the public.

    Highly developed interpersonal skills to negotiate, mediate and
    collaborate with a wide range of people with diverse range of
    knowledge and skills in conservation and preservation of
    material culture

Salary:    $  2,747 monthly minimum
Application Deadline:  October 15, 1997

To Apply:  For job announcement and application materials, call
(612) 296-0542.  Please send completed application along with letter
of application and resume to:

    Minnesota Historical Society
    Human Resources Department
    Paper and Book Conservator Position 345
    Kellogg Blvd.
    West St. Paul, MN  55102

Conservation Outreach Representative

Minnesota Historical Society's Conservation Department seeks a
Conservation Outreach Representative to provide county and local
historical societies, archives and libraries across the state with
information on preservation principles and assistance in learning
about and implementing practical preservation options for their
collections. This is a full-time regular position at located at the
Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, MN.

Summary Of Work:  Major responsibilities include: 1) establish and
develop working relationships with the staff of museums, libraries,
archives and historical societies throughout Minnesota to make them
aware of the services and expertise available to them from the MHS
and other institutions and agencies which will assist them in
preserving collections for which they are responsible  2) develop,
organize, and schedule educational programs and presentations
throughout the state that provide the staff of county and local
historical societies, libraries, and archives with information and
instruction on preservation principles and practical options for
their collections; 3) research, develop, recommend, and maintain a
resource file/library on the preservation and conservation of
collections; 4) develop a resource file of conservation and
preservation supplies, vendors, and service providers to be made
available as widely as possible throughout the state; 5) continue
the program to lend environmental test kits to cultural institutions
throughout the state so that they can assess environmental
conditions in their buildings; 6) Reports regularly on the lab's
operation and progress toward work plans and goals so that the Head
of Conservation and other staff are aware of issues, progress, and
activities of the lab, work is coordinated with other departments
and divisions, and future activities effectively planned; and 7)
perform related work as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

    Graduation from an accredited masters level conservation program
    and five years' work experience.

    Broad knowledge of conservation theory, chemistry, practices,
    and materials.

    Experience in project planning and management.

    Experience in working with small and medium sized
    cultural/non-profit institutions.

    Ability and skills to communicate effectively orally and in
    writing, and to teach conservation principles, preservation and
    conservation practices, and practical options to the staff of
    small and intermediate sized libraries, archives and museums.

Desirable Qualifications:

    Six to eight years work experience in book, paper, objects,
    textile conservation or conservation/preservation outreach.

    The ideal candidate will have specialized knowledge of
    conservation theory and practice for books, paper, photographs,
    and other library and archive materials, textiles,
    three-dimensional objects, works of art, and preventive
    conservation practices.

    Experience in working with small to medium size museums,
    libraries and archives.

    Ability and willingness to exercise independent judgment in
    matters involving technical expertise.

    Highly developed interpersonal skills to negotiate, mediate and
    collaborate with a wide range of people with diverse range of
    knowledge and skills in conservation and preservation of
    material culture.

Salary:    $2,641 monthly minimum
Application Deadline:  October 15, 1997

To Apply:  For job announcement and application materials, call (612) 296-0542.  Please send completed
application along with letter of application and resume to:

    Minnesota Historical Society
    Human Resources Department
    Conservation Outreach Representative Position
    345 Kellogg Blvd.
    West St. Paul, MN  55102

EEO/AA

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:28
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 23, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-28-020
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