Position at Indiana Historical Society

Paper Conservator
Indiana Historical Society
Library/Archive - Conservation Department

Full-time position

Reports to Senor Director, Conservation

Position purpose: This position supports the implementation of the
Indiana Historical Society preservation and conservation plan of a
largely paper-based research collection held by the Indiana
Historical Society (IHS).  Performs comprehensive treatments to
printed and graphic works on paper and photographic materials to
meet scheduled deadlines.  Provides conservation support for
grant-funded projects.

Essential Functions:

    Perform condition surveys to works on paper and photographs to
    help identify and recommend current and future preservation
    needs

    Perform broad range of both general and complex treatments, and
    associated documentation to full range of paper and photographic
    works

    In consultation with Senior Director, Conservation and
    Collections staff, examine, analyze, and provide consultation
    regarding rare materials and their use

    Provide key support relative to grant projects and track
    treatments performed to meet scheduled project deadlines and
    imaging production goals

    Manage and train lab interns, volunteers and part-time staff in
    basic treatments as appropriate

    Assist examination of in-coming collections and use proper
    precautions, safety equipment, and help manage Integrated Pest
    Management for Collections

    Keep lab abreast of new conservation techniques and use of
    equipment added to the Conservation Lab

    Contribute to the maintenance of vendor files and assist
    researching and ordering equipment and supplies relating to the
    lab.  Update statistical databases weekly

    Provide essential support to departmental outreach activities:
    History Lab, Workshops, Preservation Week

    Other duties as assigned

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    Experience with characteristics of paper materials and
    photographic structures, and ethics relative to treatments of
    paper and photographs in a special collections/archives setting

    Ability to interpret collection needs and work well with other
    professional and support staff

    Self starter with ability to read and follow directions, and
    work with minimal supervision

    Experience and ability to use microscope and document treatments
    in written and photographic form

    Excellent computer skills; proficient with Microsoft Office
    Suite as well as basic office equipment

Qualifications:

    Minimum: Graduate degree from a recognized graduate training
    program in paper and work experience in the treatment of
    photographs.  Two years experience in conservation lab with
    essential knowledge in the field of conservation, and working
    with Collections personnel.

    Preferred: Specialized training and experience in photograph
    conservation strongly preferred

The Special Collections at Indiana Historical Society hold a large
collection of seventeenth and eighteenth century maps of North
America and the Old Northwest Territory.  Specific graphic works
include numerous hand-colored aquatints and etchings reflecting
early scenes and landscapes of the Midwest.  Additionally, there are
many colored prints of Native Americans, Bodmer and Lewis portraits
and landscapes being most noteworthy.  Beside printed works, IHS
holds a large number of bound manuscript journals and letters from
early missionaries, explorers and settlers to the territory.

The bulk of the collection is 19th and 20th century archives which
include business records, printed broadsides, architectural print
formats, and a very large photographic collection covering the full
landscape of historic photographic techniques; most notably over 900
early original cirkut (panorama) photographs and negatives.  Finally
there are many objects of bound format, most notably 7,000 early
pamphlet bindings and books reflecting all aspects of Indiana
history.

Conservation Practice and Staff:

    The successful applicant will join a lab where the approach to
    preservation is a combination of library and museum conservation
    practice.  Treatments are in compliance with the AIC Code of
    Ethics.  Conservators consult with collections advisors prior to
    comprehensive laboratory treatments, and undertake general
    stabilization as required.  They will work as part of a team of
    three full time professional conservators and report to the
    Senior Director, Conservation.

    Much of our work is preventive, making certain collection
    materials are stored as safely as possible and handled in as
    consistent a manner as possible for use by the public.  Trained
    support staff often provide customized storage, and where
    possible, carry out some treatment procedures according to
    pre-determined parameters and under the guidance of
    conservators.  Conservation Facilities IHS has a 1200 square
    foot purpose-designed conservation lab fully equipped for the
    majority of paper, photograph, and book conservation treatments.
    Bench areas and common workspace is large enough to accommodate
    four conservators and two interns.  Private offices for each
    conservator with associated professional reference sources and
    meeting space are an additional 800 square feet located adjacent
    to the lab.  A separate 800 square feet isolation area is
    maintained by the department for examination of in-coming
    collections.

Pay and Benefits - Full-time

    The salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.  IHS
    offers an excellent benefits package, including health, dental,
    life and long-term disability coverage; employer and employee
    funded retirement plans with American United Life - OneAmerica;
    employee assistance program (EAP); Pre-Paid Legal Services;
    flexible benefits, and generous paid time off.  Free parking
    provided nearby, staff discounts in the Basile History Market
    and the Stardust Cafe, and reciprocal benefits at other cultural
    institutions in Indianapolis.

Application: Please send a cover letter and resume to:

    April Kerber
    Senior Director
    Human Resources
    Indiana Historical Society
    450 West Ohio Street
    Indianapolis IN 46202
    Fax: 317/233.0857
    hr<-at->indianahistory<.>org

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Indiana Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer.

See

    <URL:http://www.indianahistory.org>

Ramona Duncan-Huse
Senior Director, Conservation

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:17
                Distributed: Sunday, September 13, 2015
                       Message Id: cdl-29-17-026
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