CONSERVATOR for Exhibitions and Loans
The New-York Historical Society
The New-York Historical Society is seeking a well-organized, self-motivated, articulate individual to perform minimal to major item-level treatment on diverse library and paper-based museum material for in-house exhibition and out-going loan. This full-time position with full benefits reports to the chief conservator and is available September 2002.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in exhibition and loan committee selection and approval process. Advocate preservation of collections.
- Solicit information about exhibition or loan material in order to make sound professional decisions.
- Document condition, propose treatment and treatment time estimate for each item selected for exhibition or loan plus cost estimate for loans.
- Execute treatment of committee approved items according to current professional standards adopted by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) so that the least disruptive treatment is performed, permanent research value is retained, and the treatment is as reversible as practical.
- Photograph progress of treatment as appropriate using digital and film photography.
- Coordinate item retrieval, transport and return and work schedule with library and museum department heads, collections manager, registrar, exhibitions department, art handlers, and in-house or guest curators and designers.
- Design and build mounts for a variety of formats including books, photographs, manuscripts and foldout maps.
- Hinge or enclose flat paper for matting and framing.
- Transport or courier, install and deinstall select items displayed in exhibition cases in-house and off-site.
- Monitor environmental conditions for in-house exhibitions (light, temperature, relative humidity, security, pests, cleanliness.) Evaluate environmental conditions for loans.
- Treat new acquisitions as directed by the chief conservator.
- Adhere to lab health and safety guidelines.
- Oversee and direct part-time assistant.
REQUIREMENTS
- Graduate degree and certificate from recognized conservation program or exceptional experience.
- Minimum one year exhibition experience and two years in a professional conservation lab.
- Knowledge of the technology, structure, and history of books (bound volumes, albums, sketchbooks, letterpress, pamphlets), manuscripts, maps, architectural drawings, photographs, prints, original art, ephemera.
- Ability to identify materials and techniques: skins, papers, fibers, inks, paints, colorants (pigments, dyes, toners), adhesives, coatings, carriers, and others.
- Knowledge of book and paper repair: cleaning, mending, humidification & flattening, rebacking, recasing, sewing structures & techniques, washing & buffering, lining, inpainting.
- Ability to choose appropriate type and degree of treatment and treatment materials.
- Technical skills: computer (PC platform), software (MS Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro), camera (digital and film), binocular microscope, digital light meter, ultrasonic welder, fume hood, suction table, floor model board shear, and assortment of treatment tools.
- Ability to safely handle heavy and oversize material.
SEND RESUME and three references to
The New-York Historical Society
Library Conservation Dept C
Two West 77th Street
New York NY 10024
or fax 212.875-1591
No phone calls, please.
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