Conservation Technician I

Overview:

Princeton University Library (PUL) seeks an enthusiastic and collaborative Conservation Technician I to support collections care activities and collection moves within the Library's Preservation & Conservation Department.

PUL is one of the world's leading research libraries, serving a diverse community of 5,200 undergraduates, 2,600 graduate students, 853 faculty members, and many visiting scholars. Its holdings include more than 7 million printed volumes, 5 million manuscripts, 2 million non-print items, and extensive collections of digital text, data, and images. PUL employs a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of more than 300 professional and support staff working in a large central library, 9 specialized branches, and 3 storage facilities.

Responsibilities:

Major Responsibilities

Reporting to the Preventive Conservator, the Conservation Technician I works with the Preservation & Conservation Department to assist with collections care activities for Princeton University Library's general and special collections. The Conservation Technician I supports collections care initiatives by undertaking housing and rehousing of Library collections, including design and fabrication of custom housing. This position also collaborates with Preservation & Conservation colleagues to carry out condition surveys of the collections, assists the Preventive Conservator with ongoing preventive conservation programming, and supports Library projects such as collection moves. The incumbent will participate in Preservation & Conservation Department activities and initiatives including tours of the department and outreach events to share information about conservation activities and professional topics.

Housing

Oversees ordering of third-party vendor boxes, including measurement, compilation of labeling information, and rehousing of materials

Designs and fabricates custom housing for a variety of materials, including books, photographic materials, AV materials, manuscripts, art on paper, and three-dimensional objects

Retrofits existing enclosures to provide custom housing solutions

Compiles housing orders for collections moves and other large departmental projects

Collaborates with Preventive Conservator and others to develop, refine, and document efficient housing workflows

Surveying and Condition Assessment

Works with the Preventive Conservator to conduct condition surveys of special and general collections

Assesses individual collection items for treatment, digitization, and other purposes as appropriate

Collections Care

Completes technician-level conservation tasks including mold remediation and basic conservation treatment

Provides support for large projects, such as collection moves

Assists with the environmental monitoring and pest management programs

Outreach

Engages with staff outside of the department by attending meetings, providing housing advice, and assisting with emergency preparedness activities.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years' relevant experience

Experience with bookbinding and/or creating custom enclosures, as demonstrated by examples of work

Excellent attention to detail

Ability to follow instructions exactly

Strong hand skills and manual dexterity

Sensitivity in handling rare and fragile library materials

Aptitude with MS Office and G Suite tools

Interest in library and/or archival collections

Ability to plan, prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Previous academic library experience

Experience working in a conservation or preservation department

Experience conducting housing and storage projects

Experience carrying out condition surveys

Experience making four-flap wrappers, Asian-style wrappers, and clamshell boxes

Applications received by September 14th will receive first consideration.

Princeton University is an and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Standard Weekly Hours:

36.25

Eligible for Overtime:

Yes

Benefits Eligible:

Yes

Probationary Period:

90 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail):

No

Physical Capacity Exam Required:

No

Union Code:

LIB-Amer Fed State County Mun Emps

Valid Driverâs License Required:

No

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#LI-CB1