Conservation Technician

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. The Conservation Technician works in the Preservation and Conservation Services department of the University Library and will report to the Senior Conservator. Preservation and Conservation Services supports all University Library collections, including circulating and special collections. The Conservation Technician reports to the Senior Conservator, but works across circulating and special collections, sometimes working under the direction of the Supervisor of General Collections Conservation or the Assistant Conservator. Duties include: Complete selected treatments on book and paper-based special collections, including paper flattening, mending, a wide range of repairs on bound volumes, and more Create written and photographic documentation for special collections conservation treatment Create custom enclosures for Library materials Coordinate commercial boxing workflows for circulating and special collections, including precisely measuring materials, liaising with vendors, and performing quality control Independently perform a range of conservation treatments on circulating library materials, from minimal stabilization like stapling pamphlets into binders, to complex treatments like rebinding books Assess circulating materials and creatively problem solve to find the best solution for housing or repairing items Contribute to lab workflows for tracking incoming and outgoing collections Contribute to the conservation lab’s role in exhibits preparation, including mounting flat and bound items for safe exhibition Contribute to special preservation and conservation projects, such as collections surveys and large-scale stabilization efforts Assist with lab maintenance and supply inventory Contribute to department meetings and serve on relevant Library committees Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate student workers as needed Assist in salvaging collections after leaks, floods, or other disasters affecting Library collections Answer questions and communicate with colleagues about departmental workflows Share preservation and conservation knowledge through participation in lab tours, class visits, and other outreach activities Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Responsibilities

Complete selected treatments on book and paper-based special collections, including paper flattening, mending, a wide range of repairs on bound volumes, and more
Create written and photographic documentation for special collections conservation treatment
Create custom enclosures for Library materials
Coordinate commercial boxing workflows for circulating and special collections, including precisely measuring materials, liaising with vendors, and performing quality control
Independently perform a range of conservation treatments on circulating library materials, from minimal stabilization like stapling pamphlets into binders, to complex treatments like rebinding books
Assess circulating materials and creatively problem solve to find the best solution for housing or repairing items
Contribute to lab workflows for tracking incoming and outgoing collections
Contribute to the conservation lab’s role in exhibits preparation, including mounting flat and bound items for safe exhibition
Contribute to special preservation and conservation projects, such as collections surveys and large-scale stabilization efforts
Assist with lab maintenance and supply inventory
Contribute to department meetings and serve on relevant Library committees
Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate student workers as needed
Assist in salvaging collections after leaks, floods, or other disasters affecting Library collections
Answer questions and communicate with colleagues about departmental workflows
Share preservation and conservation knowledge through participation in lab tours, class visits, and other outreach activities