Paper Conservator (Specialist III) – New York Public Library

Title of the Job: Paper Conservator (Specialist III)

Location: Long Island City, Queens, NY

Job Description: Paper Conservator (Specialist III)Department: ConservationEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Library Services CenterReporting To: Denise StockmanCompensation: $77,622 / yearDescriptionOverview
The mission of The New York Public Library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities. We rely on three great resources-our staff, our collections, and our physical and digital spaces-to provide opportunities for learning and growth.The Paper Conservator position is located in the Library’s Goldsmith Conservation Lab in a team of conservation staff specializing in bound, flat, and photographic materials. The lab supports the special collections of NYPL’s research centers and provides conservation assessment, treatment, research, and training to advance the preservation of the collections and meet the conservation needs of the Library’s active acquisitions, exhibition, loan, and digitization programs. This position focuses especially on the paper-based collections – including archival papers, manuscripts, books, scrapbooks, scores, sheet music, ephemera, designs, posters, works of art on paper – of the Library for the Performing Arts (LPA), one of NYPL’s three dedicated special collections research centers. The Library for the Performing Arts, located at Lincoln Center, houses one of the world’s most extensive research collections in the fields of theater, film, dance, music, and recorded sound.Conservation at NYPL consists of two units — the Goldsmith Conservation Lab and Collections Care, both located at the Library Services Center in Long Island City, Queens — headed by the Associate Director of Conservation. Conservation at NYPL is a unit of Preservation and Special Collections Processing, responsible for the processing and cataloging, management, and preservation of the Research Libraries collections.Responsibilities

• Performs multi-item (batch) and single-item conservation assessment, treatment, and research in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Serves as Conservation’s liaison for the paper-based collections at the Library for the Performing Arts
• Collaborates with colleagues both within and beyond Conservation to achieve the preservation of the collections, especially in the context of LPA’s exhibitions and the Library’s commitment to access
• Contributes to the development and refinement of the lab’s processes, assets, and capabilities
• Participates in the training of conservation interns and technicians
• Promotes professional and public community participation in preservation through outreach
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Education, Experience & SkillsRequired Education & Certifications

• Graduate degree in Conservation with a focus on paper

Required Experience

• Demonstrated experience in the conservation treatment of paper-based collections, including works of art on paper
• Demonstrated experience in conservation considerations for the typical research library use of paper-based special collections, especially conservation workflows/project management in support of exhibitions
• Experience with collections emergency response for paper-based materials
• Minimum 2 years working experience in a conservation lab after graduate school

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills both within and beyond the conservation lab
• Demonstrated ability to carry out efficient conservation treatment of paper-based special collections in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Basic knowledge of objects, textiles, paintings (i.e., not usual library materials), and photograph conservation
• Experience, knowledge, and judgment in conservation work supporting the exhibition of library special collections
• Flexibility of mind and commitment to collaboration, growth, and improvement
• Experience or discipline to gain proficiency with the expected computer systems and software used by a conservation lab and by library and cultural heritage institutions
• Fluency with Google Suite

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Position does not have any direct reports
• Contributes to the oversight of the Conservation Division’s hourly students and interns

More…Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Conservation lab
• Office setting
• Public research library setting

Physical Duties

• The position involves lifting boxes of collections, operating equipment (polyester welders, computerized mat/box cutting machine), and exposure to solvents, dust, and mold

Pre-Placement Physical Required?
NoUnion/Non Union
Local 1930FLSA Status
ExemptSchedule

• Full time, M-F, generally 9-5 pm

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.The New York Public Library Salary StatementAt the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate’s specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

Company Name: New York Public Library

Salary: $77622 per year

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