Books Conservator

Bristol Bay Native Corporation•Lowell, MA

2d•$85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

CCI Facility Support Services, LLC is expanding its workforce and is seeking a Books Conservator. We are committed to fostering a work environment that offers long-term stability and growth. We value our employees and are dedicated to supporting their success throughout their career with us. With a strong track record of consistent growth, we provide a secure and dependable workplace for those looking for a lasting career. CCI Facility Support Services, LLC offers a great benefits package complete with medical, dental, and vision insurance, health savings account health reimbursement account, flexible spending account, employer paid life and disability, 401(k) matching, and paid time off along with other essential benefits. Major Duties and Responsibilities The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties, but not all duties performed for this position. Other duties may be assigned. Conservation Laboratory Projects: Responsible for performing a wide variety of conservation treatments, including difficult and complex technical analysis, testing, and treatment necessary to conserve items of historic and artistic value. Examine artifacts to determine the nature and cause of deterioration, conduct testing where necessary, and select appropriate conservation techniques for treatment. Develop treatments in consultation with the park curators and senior conservators in HACE regarding final appearance and intended use of the object. Provide written documentation for the examination and condition analysis phase, treatment proposal phase, and, following approval of the object’s custodian, the final treatment phase. Draw from professional experience and practical research in selecting professionally established treatment techniques, and in developing new treatment methodologies, including selection of conservation solvents, reagents, compounds, materials and application techniques. Make contacts with parks for treatment scheduling and proposal review, and to make recommendations concerning collection care in the realm of both preventive and remedial conservation.Expected to work collaboratively with other conservation colleagues and interns in the lab as well as provide general guidance in his/her area of expertise when required Responsible for compliance with all OSHA and NIOSH regulations in laboratory operations by all personnel working in the laboratory. On-site treatment projects: Assess the condition and treatment needs of historic artifacts on-site and will develop treatment proposals. Submit written treatment proposals to senior conservators for review. Identify and arrange for procurement and scheduled delivery of conservation supplies necessary for on-site treatments. Conservation Survey Projects: As part of a team, or proceeding independently, undertake on-site conservation assessments of museum exhibit and storage facilities, and object-specific surveys of park collections, to include estimates for treatment hours.

Requirements

Prior experience relating to conservation treatment of historic collections located in National Parks is preferred, therefore, any contractor personnel with such experience should be provided, as is reasonable.
Completion of a graduate program in conservation or the equivalent degree of knowledge and skill gained through formal apprenticeship programs with accredited museums and/or professionally recognized conservators through the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
Graduate level degree in a related field such as art history, historic preservation, or fine arts, with coursework in architectural history, preservation, archaeology, or materials conservation.
Full professional knowledge of conservation theory, procedures, and techniques for the conservation of historic books.
Knowledge and experience in high resolution digital tethered photography of historic works books.
General knowledge of professional standards of historic house museum operations.
Strong verbal and writing skills to enable the transmission of complex information to parks in an accurate, clear and concise manner.
Extensive knowledge of computer software programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, applications and spreadsheet programs such as Excel for creating and generating reports for conservation documentation and planning purposes.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening (post accepted offer) and have acceptable background check results.
If applicable to the contract, you must also obtain the appropriate clearance levels required and be able to obtain access to military installations.
This position requires the ability to maneuver around work sites, see, hear, and verbally communicate with co-workers and clients.
Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; frequent opportunity to move about and to work outside the office environment for extended periods involving exposure to the elements with weather that will include extreme heat, cold, wind, rain or other inclement weather, walking over rough and uneven surfaces, and routine lifting of up to 35 pounds.
If required, must properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times including but not limited to: hard hats, steel toed boots, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hearing protection.
Must always maintain a constant state of mental alertness.

Responsibilities

Responsible for performing a wide variety of conservation treatments, including difficult and complex technical analysis, testing, and treatment necessary to conserve items of historic and artistic value.
Examine artifacts to determine the nature and cause of deterioration, conduct testing where necessary, and select appropriate conservation techniques for treatment.
Develop treatments in consultation with the park curators and senior conservators in HACE regarding final appearance and intended use of the object.
Provide written documentation for the examination and condition analysis phase, treatment proposal phase, and, following approval of the object’s custodian, the final treatment phase.
Draw from professional experience and practical research in selecting professionally established treatment techniques, and in developing new treatment methodologies, including selection of conservation solvents, reagents, compounds, materials and application techniques.
Make contacts with parks for treatment scheduling and proposal review, and to make recommendations concerning collection care in the realm of both preventive and remedial conservation.
Expected to work collaboratively with other conservation colleagues and interns in the lab as well as provide general guidance in his/her area of expertise when required
Responsible for compliance with all OSHA and NIOSH regulations in laboratory operations by all personnel working in the laboratory.
Assess the condition and treatment needs of historic artifacts on-site and will develop treatment proposals.
Submit written treatment proposals to senior conservators for review.
Identify and arrange for procurement and scheduled delivery of conservation supplies necessary for on-site treatments.
As part of a team, or proceeding independently, undertake on-site conservation assessments of museum exhibit and storage facilities, and object-specific surveys of park collections, to include estimates for treatment hours.