Head of Conservation
The New York Public Library
Full posting and application information:
https://jobs-nypl.icims.com/jobs/9917/head-of-conservation/job
The New York Public Library seeks an experienced conservator to provide
expert strategic and administrative leadership for its conservation
operations. The Head of Conservation (officially titled Senior Manager,
Conservation) will provide and promote a vision for the care and treatment
of the Library’s special and general collections, developing and
implementing plans to identify, prioritize, and address their conservation
needs.
Under the direction of the Associate Director for Special Collections and
Preservation Services (SCPS), the Head of Conservation oversees a team of 9
FTE, including five conservators. The Head of Conservation will collaborate
closely with the other SCPS program heads and the Research Libraries
curatorial staff to formulate strategies and procedures in support of
special and general collection preservation and access. This will include
especially close collaboration with the Senior Manager for Collection
Management who directs collection risk management activities and is leading
a collection-wide inventory and condition survey project that will begin in
2018.
Principal Responsibilities
- Directs the Barbara Goldsmith Conservation Laboratory and Collections
Care Lab, both located at the NYPL’s Library Service Center in Long
Island City
- Manages budget, staff training and development, laboratory safety
program (including chemical and hazardous waste management), supplies and
equipment selection
- Oversees and reports on all conservation activities undertaken by
staff and contractors, including conservation treatments and documentation,
condition surveys, technical analyses, special research projects, housing
selection or creation, and preparation of collection items for
consultation, exhibition, digitization, outgoing loan, and transport.
- Collaborates with Senior Manager for Collection Management in training
the collection survey project team and interpreting the survey’s findings
to inform and prioritize conservation and preservation initiatives
- Works with the Registrar in evaluating and making recommendations for
the outgoing loan of collections
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with curatorial and
many other Library stakeholders in establishing and advancing conservation
goals
- Leads hiring, coaches and evaluates staff, fostering collegiality,
innovation, and collaboration among laboratory staff and other Library
stakeholders. Supports and fosters professional development and
engagement among staff
- Collaborates with a variety of Library partners on exhibition
preparation and installation, outgoing loans, collection processing, and
policy and procedure development
- Represents NYPL through participation in professional organizations,
including presenting at conferences, developing seminars, and serving on
professional committees
- Initiates, develops, and contributes to grant proposals and other
fundraising efforts aimed at specific conservation priorities or increasing
overall program capacities
- Identifies opportunities for scholarship and professional academic
experience, such as supporting academic internships and fellowships.Ensures
compliance with industry standards and best practices, in alignment withCode
of Ethics and
- Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of
Historic & Artistic Works (AIC)
- *Identifies and develops opportunities for conservation-based public
outreach*
Minimum Qualifications
-
- Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program or
ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science with
conservation certificate.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional
experience in conservation.
- Demonstrated successful application of the American Institute for
Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
- Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience with complex
conservation treatment of paper, books, or photographs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the preservation and treatment of a wide
range of formats.
- Demonstrated success managing projects, supervising and developing
staff talent, and coordinating work across functional and
reporting lines,
including working with colleagues from other institutions, vendors, and
other external organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and other resources.
- Record of professional engagement and contribution, such as
research, publication, and involvement in pertinent professional and
scholarly organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in
writing, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills with individuals with
different work styles.
- Familiarity with current preservation and conservation practices
and initiatives for cultural heritage collections and audiences.
Work Environment
- Expert knowledge of working in a conservation laboratory setting
required.
- Position involves lifting and exposure to dust, mold, and other
hazardous substances. Knowledge of usual parameters and compliance with an
OSHA safety program is expected.
- Travel to all Research Libraries sites within NYC boroughs as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
--
*Becky Fifield | The New York Public Library*
*Head of Collection Management, Special Collections*
5th Avenue and 42nd Street, South Court 3
New York, NY 10018
T: 917.229.9646 |C: 617.212.1468| [email protected]
<http://nypl.org>
--
Becky Fifield | The New York Public Library
Head of Collection Management, Special Collections
5th Avenue and 42nd Street, South Court 3
New York, NY 10018
T: 917.229.9646 |C: 617.212.1468| [email protected]
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