Position at University of Leeds

Trainee Conservation Technician
Special Collections
University of Leeds
United Kingdom

University Grade 4 (UKP18,031 - UKP20,781 p.a.)
Closing date: 7 August 2015

Please apply at

    <URL:http://jobs.leeds.ac.uk>

This is a fixed-term post available for two years, provided as part
of the University Library's Treasures of the Brotherton project,
supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Facilitated by the project funds, you will be supported by the
Library's professional staff to achieve a conservation-related
heritage qualification, such as ICON's Conservation Technician
qualification (currently under revision) or other suitable
qualification, within the term of employment.  Working under the
direction of the Conservation Officer, you will support a wide range
of collections care activities.  Following established conservation
standards and procedures, you will perform routine hands-on
conservation in a production setting.  You will also assist with
exhibitions and loans, environmental and pest monitoring and
emergency preparedness and response.  You will have superior manual
dexterity, good vision for colour and detail and be able to handle
sharp tools to perform delicate tasks.  The ability to work under
pressure to meet deadlines and maintain accuracy and attention to
detail are also essential.  Additionally, you will be able to
prioritise and manage multiple tasks in an often reactive
environment.  Confidence with IT and excellent interpersonal and
communication skills are required as well as the capacity to work
both independently and co-operatively as a member of a small team.
NB: The nature of conservation work necessitates working with
materials that may be dusty or mouldy, in low temperature or low
light environments, and lifting and handling of materials.
Protective equipment and training will be provided.

Further information about the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery is
available at:

    <URL:http://library.leeds.ac.uk/building-developments-treasures>

Further information about the Library is available at:

    <URL:http://library.leeds.ac.uk>

Informal enquiries may be made to

    Sharon Connell
    +44 113 343 6375
    s.a.connell<-at->leeds<.>ac<.>uk

Leeds University Library is an Investor in People (Silver) and holds
the Customer Service Excellence standard.

For further information about working at the University of Leeds see

    <URL:http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/20025/university_jobs>

Job Description

    Responsible to: Conservation Officer

    Responsibility for staff: Assisting in the supervision of
    collections care volunteers and student work experience
    placements

Key relationships:

    In the Library: Special Collections staff; Stanley and Audrey
    Burton Gallery staff

    In the University: Treasures of the Brotherton project staff

Key responsibilities

    To provide assistance to the Collections Care Team and support
    the provision of collections care for the Library and the
    Treasures of the Brotherton project.

Main duties:

    Performing routine treatments including cleaning surface soiling
    and mould, repair and housing of special collections of books
    and paper.

    Carrying out routine examination and condition assessment of
    objects and selecting the most appropriate course of action.

    Record-keeping in support of preservation, exhibitions and loans
    using the EMu (Electronic Museum) management system, MS Office
    and digital photography.

    Assisting with the preparation of material for digitisation,
    exhibition and loan.

    Measuring collection material for custom-made enclosures and
    producing labels for the enclosures.

    Custom making protective enclosures and supports for materials
    on exhibition.

    Assisting with preventive conservation measures such as
    collecting data for the purposes of environmental monitoring and
    integrated pest management.

    Assisting with condition assessment and packing of items for
    exhibition and loan.

    Assisting with emergency preparedness and response including
    inventorying emergency supplies.

    Complying with the University's health and safety policy,
    especially COSHH regulations.

    Assisting the Conservation and Collections Care Team in
    supervising student or volunteer assistants and performing
    quality control.

    Making an active contribution to the team, including operational
    planning and the identifying and sharing of best practice to
    develop processes and services.

Generic requirements for all Library staff

    The details above are not a comprehensive list of the activities
    which may be carried out by the role holder, and activities may
    change (appropriate to the grading of the post) as a result of
    developments and changes in Library services.

    In carrying out their roles, all Library staff are required to
    show positive commitment to the values of the Library and
    University.

    All Library staff are required to wear name badges.

    The Library supports and encourages the training and development
    of its staff; participation in appropriate training and
    development activities is a requirement of the post.

Person Specification

Essential

    Minimum of GCSE in English Language and Mathematics or
    equivalent

    Proven interest in conservation and preservation/rare books and
    archives /history and heritage

    Demonstrable manual dexterity through experience of, for
    instance, studio art/craft/bookbinding

    Good vision for colour and detail

    Excellent attention to detail, able to follow detailed
    procedures accurately and meet designated standards of service
    in a production setting

    Confident user of IT including MS Office

    Excellent communication skills

    Numerate and confident in basic data analysis

    Understanding of and commitment to excellent customer service

    Constructive approach to problem solving

    Ability to make a positive contribution to a team and work
    collaboratively with others

    Self-managing and able to work under pressure, prioritise,
    schedule and balance workloads to meet deadlines and performance
    standards

    Commitment to continuous improvement, learning and personal
    development, and to conservation standards and techniques

    Ability and willingness to modify own working practices in line
    with trends, developments and changing priorities

    Capable of working with materials that may be dusty or mouldy,
    in low temperature or low light environments and undertaking
    manual handling tasks such as pushing book trolleys and carrying
    boxes of archives, etc.

Desirable

    Previous experience of conservation work

    Understanding of the role of the library, especially in higher
    education

    Supervisory experience

    Experience of digital photography

Additional Information: Details of the terms and conditions of
employment for all staff at the University, including information on
pensions and benefits, are available on the Human Resources web
pages accessible at

    <URL:http://hr.leeds.ac.uk>

The Partnership: To be aware of and work in line with The
Partnership working with students as members of a learning community
to provide world class education and an excellent student
experience.  More information about the Partnership is available at

    <URL:http://partnership.leeds.ac.uk>

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for
this position.  However, applicants who have unspent convictions
must indicate this in the "other personal details" section of the
application form and send details to the Recruitment Officer at
disclosure<-at->leeds<.>ac<.>uk.

Disabled Applicants: The post is located in the University Libraries
and stores on the main campus.  Disabled applicants wishing to
review access to the building are invited to contact the department
direct.  Additional information may be sought from the

    Recruitment Officer
    disclosure<-at->leeds<.>ac<.>uk
    +44 113 343 1723

Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their
disability but will still be covered by the Equality Act once their
disability becomes known.  Further information for applicants with
disabilities, impairments or health conditions is available in the
applicant guidance.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:6
                   Distributed: Sunday, June 28, 2015
                        Message Id: cdl-29-6-019
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