Position at Johns Hopkins

Paper Conservator
Johns Hopkins University

The Paper Conservator will join a team of professionals responsible
for the preservation and conservation of the collections of the
Sheridan Libraries and University Museums.  The collections consist
of approximately four million volumes housed in a number of
libraries including the Brody Learning Commons, the Milton S.
Eisenhower Library, the Albert D. Hutzler Reading Room in Gilman
Hall, the John Work Garrett Library at Evergreen and the George
Peabody Library at Mt. Vernon Place.

The Department of Conservation and Preservation is located in the
Broody Learning commons, a recently constructed; state-of-the-art
Learning Commons connected to the Milton S. Eisenhower Library.  The
Conservation Department is divided into three functional units:
Preservation Services; Conservation Services; Heritage Science for
Conservation (HSC) and managed by the Associate Director of
Conservation.  Conservation personnel include: Senior Book
Conservator, Book Conservators, Paper Conservator, Preservation
Services Assistant, Administrative Coordinator, HSC Scientist and
HSC Post-Doctoral Fellows.

The conservation lab is built upon the idea that bench conservators
and conservation scientists share the same space in order to
collaborate on a regular basis ultimately providing the best
possible conservation treatments.  Additionally, conservators and
HSC scientists regularly engage to initiate research projects to
provide scientific analysis for a broad range of conservation and
preservation issues.  The main goals of the department are to
achieve the greatest preservation benefits and to make accessible to
scholars, students and general public the largest number of items
within the collections.  The Sheridan Libraries Conservation
Department is also committed to play an active role in the general
field of paper and book conservation.

The Paper Conservator will be responsible for the assessment,
conservation, stabilization and documentation of archival documents,
manuscripts on paper and vellum, art on paper, maps, architectural
drawings, specialty artifact, rare text-blocks and possibly
photographs. S/he will also be involved in housing projects,
exhibition preparation, implementation and mentoring other staff
members.  The position reports to the Associate Director of
Conservation and Preservation.

Responsibilities:

    Perform conservation and stabilization treatments on a variety
    of paper-based items, bound and unbound manuscripts, maps,
    blueprints and materials selected by Curators for permanent or
    long-term preservation on grounds of their enduring cultural,
    historical, or evidentiary value

    Assess the condition and stability of single items as well as
    advise on preventative maintenance of collections

    Perform chemical tests and use analytical techniques to
    determine condition and composition of original materials prior
    to conservation treatment

    Document conservation treatments with detailed written and
    photographic reports

    Assist with preparation and installation of exhibitions at the
    Milton S. Eisenhower Library and the George Peabody Library

    Research conservation topic(s) relevant to the short and/or long
    term preservation of the Sheridan Libraries collections

    Participate in preservation activities including the design and
    construction of housing solutions, environmental monitoring,
    handling procedures and examination of collections prior to
    acquisition

    Actively participate in the disaster response and recovery team
    of the Sheridan Libraries

    Collaborate with colleagues within the conservation department
    to establish conservation policies and procedures, as well as
    design and consult on the implementation of conservation
    treatments

    Collaborate with the curators to develop and maintain workflow
    patterns, establish priorities, goals and strategies

    Collaborate with HSC scientists to determine research topics and
    evaluate the applicability and relevance of the results obtained

    Supervise conservation interns and/or JHU students

    Participate in outreach programs of the Sheridan Libraries and
    Museums, e.g. attending the adopt-a-book events

    Participate in the general maintenance of equipment and tools
    within the lab

    Keep current on state-of-the-art conservation methods and
    techniques

    Actively participating in the conservation field through
    publications/talks/workshops

    Assist in other library activities as appropriate, e.g.
    assessment of items for acquisitions or loans

Qualifications:

    Master's degree in conservation with a specialization in paper
    conservation or equivalent training and experience

    Minimum 3 years of post-graduate experience working on special
    collections and archival materials (from early manuscripts to
    modern archives; photographs desirable); in institutional or
    academic settings preferred

    Demonstrated knowledge and practice of complex paper and
    manuscript conservation treatments and related documentation

    Demonstrated knowledge and practice of a variety of archival
    housing solutions

    Demonstrated knowledge and practice of a variety of book cradles
    and flat items mounting designs for exhibitions

    Demonstrated knowledge of preservation principles

    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other staff
    members

    Knowledge of paper/parchment and ink/pigments chemistry and
    degradation processes

    Knowledge of technology and science applied to paper
    conservation

    Excellent hand-skills, attention to details and problem solving
    ability

    Excellent organizational and lab management skills

    Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal
    skills

    Ability to work independently and in a group environment

    Ability to work efficiently while maintaining conservation
    standards

    Ability to meet deadlines and coordinating workflows

    Adherence to the AIC code of ethics

To learn more about this position, please visit

    <URL:https://hrnt.jhu.edu/jhujobs/>
    Requisition number 66989

Applicants must apply online and the position will remain open until
filled.

Mark Pollei
Interim Director
Department of Conservation
Sheridan Libraries and Museums
Johns Hopkins University
410-516-4751

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:3
                   Distributed: Monday, June 8, 2015
                        Message Id: cdl-29-3-034
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