Paper Conservator for the Campus Conservation Initiative, The Harry Ransom Center

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, UT

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ransom Center Preservation & Conservation Division seeks an energetic and knowledgeable paper conservator to join our team as Paper Conservator for the Campus Conservation Initiative. The Preservation & Conservation Division at the Ransom Center includes an expert team of five conservators plus preservation technicians who house, treat, and preserve book, paper, and photographic collection materials. The Campus Conservation Initiative (CCI ) was established within the Preservation & Conservation Division in 2021 to provide conservation services for special collections and archives across the campus community, including the Briscoe Center for American History, the Alexander Architecture Archive, the Benson Latin American Collection, and the Art Galleries at Black Studies. Now in its fifth year, the CCI continues to treat and preserve a wide range of collection formats to support instructional and scholarly use, exhibition, and loan of collection materials from campus partners. This position currently has funding for a 2.5 year term, with the possibility of extension. As a conservator in the Harry Ransom Center’s Preservation and Conservation Division, provide conservation treatments for paper-based collection materials for the following University of Texas at Austin special collections: the UT Libraries (including the Benson Latin American Collection and the Alexander Architectural Archives), the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, and Art Galleries at Black Studies (AGBS).

Requirements

Master's degree from a recognized graduate art conservation education program with a specialization in paper conservation or library and archives conservation.
Experience carrying out conservation treatment of works on paper (including documents and manuscripts, works of art on paper, and other paper-based works) in libraries, special collections, archives, or museums.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Experience collaborating with curators, special collections managers, and conservators in a team environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of materials and technologies encountered in the creation and conservation of the full range of works on paper.
Demonstrated knowledge of the nature of paper and inks, colorants, adhesives, and material technologies as applied to the creation of artistic, literary, and documentary works.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Secondary area of specialization and experience in photo conservation or book conservation.
Prior conservation experience in a research library or archives setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of basic research methods, exhibition standards, building environment systems, disaster planning and response, conservation trends, and collection surveys.

Responsibilities

Perform conservation treatments at all levels of complexity for a range of works on paper, including documents and manuscripts, architectural drawings and reproductions, maps, posters and prints, works of art on paper, and other paper-based materials.
Provide full written and photographic documentation of treatment activities.
Treatment may be carried out for other materials as appropriate to the conservator’s expertise and experience.
Liaise and consult with curators and collection managers in campus collecting institutions on the care and treatment of collections.
Work with campus partners to assess treatment needs, develop annual treatment plans, and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Campus Conservation Initiative.
As an integral member of the Harry Ransom Center’s Preservation and Conservation team, participate in division-wide activities, including planning, meetings, tours, and the cooperative maintenance of conservation equipment and labs.
Assist in supervision and training of interns and volunteers.
Pursue research and professional opportunities as appropriate.
Communicate to university audiences through a range of methods about conservation and CCI activities.

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