Position at Missouri State Archives

Conservator
Local Records Preservation Program
Missouri State Archives/Local Records Preservation Program
Jefferson City, Missouri

Starting Salary: $3,056-3,112/Monthly

Definition: Conservators work in Missouri's only publicly funded
conservation lab for treatment of historically significant paper
records, primarily from the 19th and early 20th century.  Staff
provide physical/chemical treatment to stabilize and repair the most
significant documents in the State Archives collection and from
local government offices--primarily of rare and historical paper
records (documents, maps, and books), with occasional stabilization
of photographs.  The primary work is in conservation treatment;
occasional work in outreach (training and consultation) may be
required.

Job Functions and/or General Responsibilities:

Perform ethical and safe conservation treatments abiding by the
American Institute for Conservation's Code of Ethics and Guidelines
for Practice and directions of supervisors.

    Evaluate paper-based documents and carry out conservation
    treatments at varying degrees of complexity

    Perform necessary chemical and physical testing to determine
    treatment needs

    Develop condition reports and treatment proposals, and create
    photo documentation for work proposed and performed.  Maintain
    tracking records in established computer files

    Perform treatments including:

        Dry surface cleaning

        Humidification and flattening

        Removal of tapes, adhesives, backings, fasteners, and old
        mends, including solvent use when warranted

        Aqueous treatment to wash and/or deacidify

        Mending and backing/lining

        Encapsulation

        Construction of customized protective enclosures

        Mold remediation

    Repair non-rare books from the Archives reference collection

    Perform high-volume/minimal-treatment to stabilize paper records
    for microfilming or digitization

        Perform conservation support functions such as:

        Preparing pastes and chemical solutions

        Maintaining equipment

        Cleaning tools and lab space

        Storing supplies and monitoring inventories

        Generating project reports and filing conservation
        documentation.

    Training: Occasionally provide training for in-house staff,
    volunteers, and interns regarding: safe handling procedures,
    holdings maintenance procedures (fastener removal, surface
    cleaning, humidification and flattening, housing), etc.

    Outreach: On occasion, provide information and education to
    outside groups, such as the following:

        Answer technical questions for state/local agencies,
        cultural organizations, and the public on preservation
        topics

        Provide onsite consultation to local officials and civic
        organizations on discrete topics such as storage and
        housing, care and handling, environmental control, pest
        management, disaster preparedness, etc.

        Formal, hands-on workshops in basic care and repair
        procedures to local government officials, professional
        organizations, civic groups, or interns

        Educational programs and tours of the conservation lab, and

        Write technical leaflets for the agency website, such as
        those at

            <URL:http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/localrecs/conservation>

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

    Knowledge of conservation principles and established
    conservation practices

    Ability to establish and maintain effective working
    relationships with associates, public officials, private groups,
    and the public

    Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in
    writing

    Demonstrated effectiveness performing paper conservation
    treatments in a production setting

    Excellent manual dexterity and sustained concentration with
    delicate and occasionally repetitive tasks

    Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and photo-editing
    software

    Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

    Ability to work with documents that contain dust and mold spores

    Ability to stand, bend, kneel, reach shelves above eye level;
    lift and carry a forty-pound box; and climb a ladder to retrieve
    materials

    Ability to travel, including occasional overnight trips

    Must possess a valid Missouri driver's license, or be able to
    secure one within 30 days of employment

Qualifications:

Minimum Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree required.  At least
2 years advanced training in conservation acquired through formal
studies or a combination of apprenticeship, advanced courses, and
internships.  Knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of
books/paper and an understanding of the causes of deterioration.

Preferred Education/Experience: Advanced degree/certificate in paper
conservation through an accredited graduate or equivalent
certificate program, formal apprenticeship, or equivalent experience
OR Master's degree in library science or archival administration,
art, art history, history, historical preservation, or related
field, with one year experience in paper conservation.  Sound
knowledge of organic and physical chemistry.

Applicants chosen for an interview should present a portfolio or
examples of their paper conservation work, and will undergo a manual
dexterity indicator as part of the interview process.

Position posted January 13, 2014.  The minimum posting period will
end February 13, 2014.  After the minimum posting period, the
position may be closed to new applicants and filled at any time.

Application Procedures: Application materials (resume, completed
application) may be mailed to:

    Attention: Conservator, Human Resources
    Office of the Secretary of State
    PO Box 1767
    Jefferson City MO 65102
    Hrmain<-a t->sos< . >mo< . >gov

Download the Employment Application at

    <URL:http://www.sos.mo.gov/jobs/MoSos_JobApplication.pdf>

To our applicants with disabilities: If you need assistance with
this or any phase of the employment process, please contact our
Human Resource Office at 573-522-6254.  Reasonable attempts will be
made to accommodate your needs.

EOE


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:31
                Distributed: Thursday, February 6, 2014
                       Message Id: cdl-27-31-039
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