Position at University of Glasgow

Preservation Manager/Conservator

Reference number: 13462/HRP/A2

Department/division: Archive Services
Faculty/division of US: University Services
Reporting to: Senior Archivist

Job purpose: To take the lead in providing a comprehensive and
unified preventative and remedial conservation programme for the
University's archive collections.

Main duties and responsibilities:

    To contribute to the revision of departmental preservation
    policies and procedures.

    To implement a robust and sustainable programme of preservation
    tasks particularly packaging, housekeeping, pest management,
    environmental monitoring and archive handling.

    To revise the department's disaster preparedness planning
    measures including training staff.

    To oversee the reprographics service ensuring that the
    preservation of archives is not adversely compromised by
    copying.

    To assist in seeking external funds for additional conservation
    and preservation work, overseeing work being contracted out
    where appropriate and undertaking preservation assessment
    surveys in support of funding bids.

    To advise and prepare for the display and transport of archives
    required for exhibition both on campus and further afield.

    To liaise with the Estates and Buildings Department on
    preservation issues, particularly housekeeping and climatic and
    environmental conditions monitoring.

    To liaise with other University department's collections staff,
    particularly the Library and Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery,
    on preservation and conservation matters.

    To undertake a programme of remedial conservation work as agreed
    with the Departmental Management Team.

Knowledge, qualifications, skills and experience

Knowledge and qualification
Essential:

    Recognised professional qualification in conservation which
    includes a substantial preventative conservation element

Desirable:

    It is desirable to be accredited or be working towards
    Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR)

    Science background

    Trained in preventive conservation

Skills
Essential:

    Knowledge of and experience with climate control

    Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in
    writing is essential

    Ability to influence University staff at all levels is essential

    Ability to manage and prioritise own workload is essential

    Excellent computer skills

Desirable:

    Clean driving licence

Experience
Essential:

    At least 3 years experience undertaking a combination of the
    following tasks in the heritage sector:

        advising on the care of collections and objects;
        implementing preventive strategies;  planning to minimise
        the effects of disasters and emergencies; maintaining
        conservation records

        assessing and reporting on archive condition, assessing
        risks, identifying any problems to be solved

        identifying and evaluating options, negotiating courses of
        action for treatment or preventive measures

        undertaking a range of treatments across a
        conservation-restoration discipline, including using
        relevant practical skills;  developing and testing
        treatments;  maintaining conservation records;  advising on
        archive use in searchrooms

Dimensions:

Staffing: Will have line management responsibility for training and
supervising 2 support staff.

Research and Teaching: The possibility exists for the postholder to
contribute to the research and teaching that the department shares
with the Humanities Advanced Technology Information Institute
(HATII).

Operational: The postholder will have access to the University
Library's conservation studio an average of one day per week to
undertake remedial conservation work.

Administrative: The postholder will represent Archive Services in
internal and external meetings covering preservation related
subjects.

Job features:

Planning and organising: The postholder will be a contributor to the
preservation planning and objective setting processes of the
department. They will largely organise their own workload against
personal targets and organise the 2 support staff in delivering
their personal, team and departmental targets relating to
preservation.

Decision making: The postholder will be responsible for making
purchasing decisions relating to conservation and preservation
materials. This will be undertaken in consultation with the
Departmental Management Team.

To make preservation recommendations using judgement based on
knowledge, experience and ethical considerations within budgetary
constraints.

Prioritising workload will be expected within set targets at
individual, team and departmental level. The Departmental Management
Team will provide guidance and support.

Internal / external relationships: The post will require regular
contact and co-ordination with the preservation staff in the Library
and Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery.

The postholder will liaise with the National Archives of Scotland
over the preservation and conservation of material held under Charge
and Superintendence.

Problem solving: The postholder will be the main advisor to the
Departmental Management Team on matters of preservation and
conservation and will be directly responsible for setting up and
maintaining communication channels with them.

As a professional member of the department, the postholder will be
expected to respond to the work problems of colleagues and to assist
them in finding the best possible solutions to their preservation
and conservation issues.

The department is strongly committed to CPD and development
opportunities will be discussed at least every six months in a
Performance and Development Review.

13462 org chart:

    <URL:http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_34062_en.doc>

Terms and conditions:

Salary will be on the Management, Professional and Administrative
Grade, level 6, UKP23,692 - UKP26,666 per annum.

New entrants to the University will be required to serve a
probationary period of 6 months.

The successful applicant (if aged under 60) will be eligible to join
the Universities' Superannuation Scheme.  Further information
regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer,
who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer
of Superannuation benefits.

Applications should be submitted to the

    Human Resources Department (Recruitment Section)
    University of Glasgow G12 8QQ

not later than 28 September 2007.

Each application should consist of the following:

    1.  A fully collated and stapled curriculum vitae including and
        names and addresses of three referees; bound copies are not
        necessary.

    2.  A covering letter explaining why you wish to be considered
        for this position, including:

            A statement of how you meet the essential and where
            applicable, the desirable criteria as stipulated in the
            person specification (please address each individual
            point).

            A brief statement on the state of your health

            For academic posts, the period of probation served
            elsewhere and details of any relevant training
            undertaken.

    3.  Applicant Information Form

    4.  Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (in a sealed envelope
        addressed to Equal Opportunities, Human Resources
        Department).

    5.  Guaranteed Interview Scheme (applicable for applicants with
        a disability who meet the published essential criteria for
        the job).

        Application information form:
        <URL:http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_26167_en.doc>

        Equal opportunities form
        <URL:http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_26169_en.doc>

        Guaranteed interview form
        <URL:http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_26172_en.doc>

When replying, please quote the reference number

Notes:

    It is University policy to approach referees in advance of
    interviews, unless otherwise stated on the Applicant Information
    Form.

    Candidates called for interview and/or subsequently appointed
    may be required to provide proof of qualifications.

    The information provided in your application will be sent to the
    Head of Department and consequently distributed to the members
    of the appointing committee for consideration.

The University is committed to equality of opportunity in
employment.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:21
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 4, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-21-034
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