Job Posting Title:Head of Book and Paper Conservation
----Hiring Department:Harry Ransom Center
----Position Open To:All Applicants
----Weekly Scheduled Hours:40
----FLSA Status:Exempt from FLSA
----Earliest Start Date:Immediately
----Position Duration:Expected to Continue
----Location:UT MAIN CAMPUS
----Job Details:PurposeLeads the program for the conservation of all paper-based and bound collection materials from the Ransom Center collections through management of the Book and Paper Conservation Labs. Oversees workflows for the treatment of all paper-based and bound collection materials carried out in the Book and Paper Conservation Labs. Performs conservation treatment at all levels of complexity for unbound works on paper.
Responsibilities- Manage and supervise the Preservation and Conservation Department's Book and Paper Conservation Labs. Supervise, train, and manage paper and book conservators as well as interns, post-graduate fellows, and pre-program interns in appropriate treatment, housing, and exhibition techniques. Assign collection items for treatment and/or housing; review book and paper conservation treatment documentation; and monitor and evaluate the progress of lab workflows.
- Perform conservation treatments on a wide range of works on paper, providing full written and photographic documentation. Apply appropriate research techniques, including use of instrumental methods, in the examination and analysis of works on paper.
- Liaise and collaborate with curators, collection managers, exhibition staff, administrative personnel, and other Ransom Center staff on the handling, housing, treatment, and exhibition of works on paper. Work closely with curatorial staff to establish annual treatment, assessment, and housing priorities for each fiscal year for the Book and Paper Conservation Labs. Work closely with Exhibition staff and the Registrar to ensure the timely assessment and treatment of book and paper collection items going on in-house exhibition or out-of-house loan. Manage special projects as needed.
- Participate in the department's senior management team to strategically plan for the ongoing care of the Ransom Center's collections. Participate in department-wide preventive measures, such as inspection of incoming collections; emergency preparedness, response and recovery; and staff collections handling training.
- Pursue independent studies and professional opportunities that further the field of preservation and conservation. Communicate to the Ransom Center's audiences through a range of methods on matters of preservation and conservation.
Required Qualifications- Masters degree from a recognized graduate conservation education program. A minimum of five years post-graduate experience applying preservation practices and carrying out conservation treatment of works on paper and/or bound collections in libraries, special collections, archives, or museums.
- Extensive knowledge of the nature of paper and inks, colorants, adhesives, and material technologies as applied to the creation of artistic, literary, and documentary works. Demonstrated ability to conduct conservation research and to analyze materials to identify and/or determine their condition and material composition.
- Knowledge of and experience with exhibition standards, building environment systems, disaster planning and response, conservation trends, and collection surveys.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication. Demonstrated successful project management and organizational skills, including the ability to train, supervise, and assess work. Experience working with conservators, curators, scientists, and other allied professionals in a team environment. Strong record of professional engagement.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications- More than five years of post-graduate experience in documentation, conservation treatment, and preventive care of works on paper and/or bound collections. Prior experience supervising students, interns, fellows, or professional conservators. Experience managing workflows in a conservation lab. Education or experience in project management.
Salary Range$78,000+ depending on qualifications
Required Materials- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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