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Asst. Chief Conservator, Collections Conservation and Housings / Librarian 2-3

Asst. Chief Conservator, Collections Conservation and Housings / Librarian 2-3

Yale University Job Location: Connecticut Date Created: 05-09-2013

Assistant Chief Conservator, Collections Conservation and Housings
Preservation Department
Yale University Library
New Haven, CT
Rank: Librarian 2-3 (Grades 24-25)
Requisition: #21178BR
www.yale.edu/jobs

Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week); Standard Work Week (M-F, 8:30-5:00)

Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.

The University and the Library:
The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual growth and is a highly valued partner in the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including more than 12.5 million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaged in numerous digital initiatives designed to provide access to a full array of scholarly information. Housed in the Sterling Memorial Library and fifteen school and departmental libraries, it employs a dynamic, diverse, and innovative staff of over 500 who have the opportunity to work with the highest caliber of faculty and students, participate on committees, and are involved in other areas of staff development. For additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the Library's web site at www.library.yale.edu.

The Preservation Department:
Yale University Library’s Preservation Department, started in 1971, is one of the oldest in the country. It has strong administrative support and has played a major role in the development of the preservation field. The Department has system wide responsibilities and consists of units covering conservation of special and circulating collections as well as exhibition preparation; reformatting of special collections materials and circulating materials; mass deacidification; and staff and user-education and consultation on wide variety of preservation concerns.

Position Focus:
The Assistant Chief Conservator for Collections Conservation and Housings oversees treatment services for general collections and internal housings and collection-based treatment services for the Beinecke and other special collections. Manages and directs a variety of workflows generated through preservation review, as part of digitization projects, and/or via cataloging and archival processing. Reports directly to the Chief Conservator in the Preservation Department.

Conservator Librarians manage and execute conservation treatments to preserve, protect, and guarantee the survival and future accessibility of artistic, cultural objects in accordance with an accepted professional ethical code, such as the American Institute for Conservations’ Code of Ethics. They work in libraries across Yale University’s many campuses.

*** PLEASE NOTE: Application deadline is Friday, June 28, 2013. ***

Principal Responsibilities:
1. The Librarian 2 is expected to demonstrate excellence in meeting the position responsibilities, as defined by the job description and annual goals.
2. Demonstrate effective job performance and professional growth.
3. For a complete description of the position and department, please see the department URL.

Position Responsibilities:
1. Plans, researches, and implements conservation treatments for books, manuscripts, and other related materials from the Library’s general collections, special collections, and archives.
2. Carries out treatments on special collections materials where a collections-based or batch approach is appropriate.
3. Engages cooperatively with curators, librarians, archivists, and collection managers to provide information regarding condition, potential risks, and options for acquisition, treatment, loan and exhibit for individual objects and groups of objects and the advisability of acquiring, loaning or exhibiting such material as well as the preservation options for long-term retention of such materials.
4. Surveys materials, develops time and cost estimates, provides specifications for treatments and housings, and contributes to project proposals.
5. Trains and supervises C&T staff, students, and interns.
6. Creates accurate written and photographic documentation for examinations, treatments and other activities.
7. Advances knowledge, skills, and develops specialization through professional development opportunities such as conferences and workshops.
8. Handles hazardous materials used in treatment in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations and policies.
9. Participates in library system-wide planning, committees, and work groups, and engages in campus, regional and national professional organizations and collaborative activities.
10. Assists with disaster recovery efforts.

Required Education and Experience:
Master’s degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited Library school and two years of related experience. In selected instances, a post-graduate degree in a related discipline may be required or substituted for an MLS. Appointment to this rank is limited to three years at which time it is expected that the individual will develop necessary requirements to meet expectations of performance at the Librarian 3 level.

Required Skills and Abilities:
1. Master’s degree in Art/Museum Conservation, or MLS with Advanced Certification in Conservation, is required in place of MLS. Clear specialization in book conservation and conservation of other paper-based library materials.
2. Appointment to Librarian 3 requires a minimum of five years of professional experience and professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank.
3. Demonstrated ability to successfully apply knowledge of conservation principles to a wide variety of historical bound materials and of conservation techniques and procedures. A portfolio of successful treatments and documentation is required for selected candidates in next round of consideration.
4. Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of chemistry, material science research related to conservation, artist’s materials and techniques, binding structures, and book/printing history.
5. Demonstrated ability to train and supervise conservation technicians, students, and/or interns. Ability to work collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment. Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:
1. Project management training and/or experience.
2. Experience designing and executing surveys.
3. Proficiency with digital photography, image editing software, databases, and spreadsheet and word processing software.
4. Experience treating and housing composite, three-dimensional objects.
5. Professional Associate Member, American Institute for Conservation.

Salary and Benefits:
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more.

Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at http://www.yale.edu/jobs for immediate consideration - the STARS req ID for this position is 21178BR. Please be sure to reference #21178BR in your cover letter.

Background Check Requirements:
All external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. Internal candidates may be subject to a motor vehicle or credit check for this position based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent on successful completion of the required background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.

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