Position at Harry Ransom Center

Paper 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
paper conservator to serve as a full-time head of its paper
conservation laboratory. The paper conservator will report through
the senior conservator of books.

Job Description: The paper conservator will develop and maintain
programs for the conservation, preservation, and exhibition of
historic, artistic, and documentary works on paper (as well as other
supports) in the Ransom Center collections. The conservator will
supervise, train, and manage staff, interns, and volunteers in
appropriate procedures and practices for the care of the Ransom
Center collections, will perform paper conservation treatments of
all levels of complexity, and will establish and maintain productive
relationships with curators, collection managers, administrative
personnel, and other Ransom Center staff. The conservator will
participate as part of a senior management team to identify and
resolve preservation concerns throughout the Center and to ensure
that efforts to preserve and care for the collections are effective.
The conservator will pursue independent studies and professional
opportunities as appropriate, will take a collegial, leadership, and
educational role in all activities and programs of the Ransom Center
conservation department, and will similarly support other areas of
the overall institutional preservation endeavor.

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. Up to one year
in the conservation of books or photographs will be considered as
part of the required experience. An extensive knowledge of materials
and technologies encountered in the creation and conservation of the
full range of works on paper is essential for this position. 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 paper conservation and more than four years
post-graduate experience. Post-graduate experience will include
conservation of works of art on paper, documents, manuscripts and
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 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: $40,000--$47,000 negotiable depending on qualifications.
Funding for this position is expected to continue.

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>

Application Procedure: Refer to job posting 11-11-30-01-0607 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-25-28-038
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