Historical Documents Conservator

State of Illinois • Springfield, MO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Historic Documents Conservator for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), a world-class institution that houses one of the world’s best collections of Lincoln-related documents, artifacts and audiovisual materials. This position performs professional and highly skilled technical work in the preservation and conservation treatment of the valuable Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library collection and Civil War artifacts. This position will oversee in the conservation treatment of a wide variety of library materials; maintains records of the activities and work accomplished by conservation staff; monitors climate control and other environmental factors that affect the physical condition of the library collections. We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position of Historical Documents Conservator and help ALPLM continue to chronicle the life of one of our nation's greatest Presidents.

Requirements

• Requires a bachelor’s degree with courses in chemistry, organic chemistry, art, history, or art history.
• Requires an internship in document conservation and restoration or book binding techniques, or, in lieu of an internship, one year of experience in document conservation, restoration, and book binding techniques.

Nice To Haves

• Prefers working knowledge of properties of paper and of paper documents conservation and restoration of damaged materials; of rebinding and encapsulation techniques for rare and valuable books and documents; of library materials and documents and their value to a library; of the effects of oxidation on paper documents.
• Prefers ability to perform professional documents conservation work; to use document conservation equipment, book binding and repair equipment, and to maintain and use proper supplies; to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with library staff.
• Prefers one (1) year of professional experience serving as a lead worker directing staff engaged in the conservation, preservation, and restoration of historical documents, archival collections, library materials, or other cultural heritage resources, including providing technical guidance, assigning and reviewing work.

Responsibilities

• Under direction performs professional and highly skilled preservation and conservation treatment work for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum (ALPLM) library collection.
• Examines ALPLM library materials requiring preservation and determines appropriate treatment.
• Serves as designated lead worker.
• Operates and maintains conservation laboratory equipment and facilities.
• Monitors environmental conditions affecting the ALPLM collection.
• Provides preservation and conservation guidance.
• Supports disaster preparedness and recovery for library collections.
• Supports ALPLM exhibitions and loans.
• Coordinates commercial conservation services.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid Parental leave
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
• (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
• Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
• (13-14) paid state holidays annually

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level