Position at Harry Ransom Center

Photograph Conservator
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
The University of Texas at Austin

The conservation department of the Harry Ransom Humanities Research
Center at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a qualified
photograph conservator for a full-time position in its photograph
conservation laboratory. The conservator will serve under the
supervision of the head of the photograph conservation laboratory.

Job Description: The purpose of this position is to support the
efforts of the Harry Ransom Center conservation department to care
for, preserve, and conserve the 8 million photographic images in the
collections and to participate in all other activities of the
Center's conservation department.

The conservator will provide physical care for the photograph
collections of the Ransom Center through the application of the
highest professional standards of preservation and conservation.
Activities will include planning and carrying out appropriate
procedures and techniques for examining, documenting, treating,
surveying, exhibiting, and housing photographic materials, as well
as monitoring exhibition installations and storage environments. The
conservator will assist in training, management, and supervision of
interns, students, and other persons engaged in the preservation and
conservation of the Center's collections. The conservator will
advise the Ransom Center, the professional community, and the public
on matters of preservation and conservation of photographs through
publication, personal exchange, or other methods of communication,
and will pursue independent studies and professional opportunities
as appropriate.

Education and Experience: Minimum requirements for this position
include a Bachelor's degree plus four years of post-graduate
experience applying preservation and conservation practices in
libraries, special collections, museums, or archives. An extensive
knowledge of materials and technologies encountered in the creation
and conservation of a variety of photographic works is essential.
The successful applicant will possess a comprehensive understanding
of the history of photography, as well as exceptional manual
dexterity and strong written and verbal communication skills. The
ability to accept supervision and to work under pressure of
deadlines independently and as a member of a team, as well as
regular, punctual attendance at the workplace is essential.

Preferred qualifications for this position include a Master's degree
with a focus on preservation and conservation of photographs and
more than four years post-graduate experience. Post-graduate
experience will primarily be in photograph conservation but may also
encompass additional experience with other paper-based work.
Experience managing basic collections care programs, supervising and
training staff, and working with other conservators in a team
environment will be considered favorably, as will demonstrable
interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills. Other
preferred qualifications include up-to-date knowledge of basic
research methods in photograph and paper conservation, exhibition
standards and techniques, disaster planning and response strategies.
Knowledge of HVAC and environmental monitoring systems, awareness of
current trends in conservation and preservation, and experience with
collection survey techniques is also preferred.

Working conditions: Working conditions may include work in extreme
temperatures (cold storage vault) and working in fume hoods with
chemicals, solvents and mold. Physical demands will include a high
degree of manual dexterity.

About the Ransom Center: The Ransom Center conservation department,
established in 1980, maintains three separate conservation
laboratories for the treatment of paper, bound works, and
photographs. Five conservators work in these labs. The head of the
department is also a paper conservator. Six technical staff, two of
which are trained conservators, work in several other laboratories
and are responsible for exhibition gallery management, preparing and
mounting exhibitions, and construction of collection housings.

The collections of the Ransom Center include 37,000 linear feet of
literary manuscripts and archives primarily from the 19th and 20th
century, one million books, 8 million photographs, and several
hundred thousand works of art including drawings, paintings,
sculpture, ethnographic objects, and decorative arts. The
collections are divided among the Departments of Archives and Visual
Materials, Photography, Art, Performing Arts, Film, and the Library.
See the Ransom Center web site for more information about the
collections: <URL:http://www.hrc.utexas.edu>

Salary: Minimum $36,000

Benefits: No state or local income tax. Standard state benefits
package including annual vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, and
health insurance options (comprehensive major medical and HMO plans,
dental, vision, life, and disability). The retirement plan for this
position is with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.  Deferred
compensation and tax sheltered annuity programs are also options.
More benefits information may be found at

    <URL:http://www.utexas.edu/hr/prospective/benefits.html>

This position is funded for four years from the date of appointment,
with the possibility of continuation.

Application Procedure: Refer to job posting 11-11-22-01-0607 at

    <URL:http://www.utexas.edu/hr/prospective/apply/>

Applicants must create a UT electronic account and complete the
online job application. Applicants must submit a letter of interest,
a resume, and contact information for three professional references.
Review of applications will begin January 17, 2012.

Applicants invited to interview will need to present a portfolio of
work and experience at the time of any on-site interview.

All positions at the Ransom Center and The University of Texas are
classed as security sensitive and conviction verification will be
conducted on the applicant selected.

The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship
status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran's status, or sexual
orientation. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the
Americans with Disabilities Act, disability accommodations will be
provided, as needed.

James Stroud
Associate Director for Conservation and Building Management
Harry Ransom Center
The University of Texas
PO Box 7219
Austin, Texas 78713-7219


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:28
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 11, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-28-037
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