Preservation and Conservation Specialist, University Libraries

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

A Preservation and Conservation Specialist is being sought to assist in the preservation and conservation activities at the University Libraries' Conservation Centre. The Specialist also directs part-time staff and interns in the treatment of physical collections and assists in commercial binding processing and in-house collections care.

Primary Duties:

• Assist in the processing of general and special collection materials arriving at the Conservation Centre for treatment. Under the direction and training of the Preservation Services Supervisor and the Senior Book Conservator, facilitates with the examination, evaluation, and conservation treatment of rare and valuable materials. Participates in coordinating workflows and daily operations of the Centre.

• Direct and train interns and non-student part-time staff in preservation and conservation treatments. Participates in and offers feedback to annual part-time staff performance reviews. Updates training documentation.

• Prepares materials for commercial binding. This involves evaluating periodicals, serials, newspapers, music scores, and monographs for shipment, boxing of materials, unpacking returned shipments, and quality control checks.Assists in the preparation of materials for mass deacidification treatment, such as selection of materials, condition review, and tracking shipments.

• Responds to physical library emergencies by assisting with condition assessments, treatments, and removing items from physical and environmental threats.

• Participates in outreach activities at the Conservation Centre. This includes the Annual Minter Lectureship and collaborations with other departments within Penn State and the Centre County community.

• Plans, develops, and designs brochures, advertisements, posters, and educational materials using appropriate software.

• Calculates and maintains daily and monthly statistics and performs file and system back-up procedures.

Given the nature of the collection materials being brought to the Conservation Centre, this position will work in an environment in which exposure to dust, dirt, and mold is possible.

Education and Experience:

This position will be filled at the level of Library Services Specialist - Intermediate Professional, which requires a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and one year of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrates ability to perform handwork with care, precision, patience, and attention to details in a productive work environment, including the use of hand tools and manual bookbinding equipment.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, provide guidance and work collaboratively with diverse faculty and staff.

• Ability to work within a team environment and foster teamwork.

• Demonstrated good communication, customer service, and organizational skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working in a library, museum, or cultural heritage institution.

• More than one year of hands-on experience with special collection materials.

• Knowledge of library operations and discovery catalog systems.

• Coursework in chemistry, art, or related fields.

• Digital photography skills, as well as working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud programs (Photoshop, Bridge, InDesign, Lightroom).

Additional Information:

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

The Preservation and Conservation Specialist will work onsite at the University Libraries' Conservation Centre, which is located about four miles from Penn State's University Park Campus (Science Park Library Annex on Sandy Drive in State College). The standard hours of this position are between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.

The University Libraries is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Penn State offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, in addition to generous vacation time, sick time, paid holidays, and 75% tuition discounts (including for a spouse and dependent children up to the age of 26). Please visit https://hr.psu.edu/benefits for more detailed information.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belongingthat supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages theeducational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of thecommunity thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and anessential element of the university's teaching, research, and servicemission.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

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