Center for Jewish History • Employment Opportunities

Center for Jewish History • Employment Opportunities:

The Center for Jewish History is a cultural institution, independent research
facility and destination for the exploration of Jewish history and heritage. It
is home to five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society,
American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum and
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

The partners’ archival collections span more than 700 years of history and total
over 500,000 volumes and 100 million documents. The collections also include
thousands of artworks, textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films and
photographs.

Position Description:
The Center for Jewish History seeks an Assistant Conservator. Reporting directly
to the Associate Conservator, the Assistant Conservator will participate in the
activities of the Werner J. and Gisella Levi Cahnman Preservation Laboratory,
which provides a comprehensive conservation service for the research collections
held by the five partner institutions of the Center, and supports overall
collection care and digitization efforts.

The successful applicant will carry out conservation treatment, contribute to
activities related to the Partner collections’ preventive care, and assist with
installation of artifacts. They will also contribute to the ongoing running of
the laboratory and support the lab’s outreach program to both internal and
external stakeholders, through participation in demonstrations, tours and
writing blog articles.

Conservation treatment focuses on stabilizing material for long term storage and
providing access for researchers. Work is conducted in a visible laboratory that
is an important part of the guest experience.
The position is part-time with no benefits, for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Primary Responsibilities:
•       Carry out conservation treatments for paper-based archival and library
materials
•       Create custom protective enclosures for a variety of collection material
•       Maintain proper documentation of all treatments and tracking of
artifacts
•       Follow best practices and ethical standards for treatments
•       Carry out condition surveys on both item and collection level
•       Assist with IPM activities and with monitoring environmental conditions
in storage areas and in the galleries
•       Assist with the creation of mounts for exhibition material, and with the
unpacking, condition examination, and installation of incoming loans
•       Assist with disaster preparedness planning and training
•       Create and update content for the Preservation page on the Center’s wiki
and write blog articles of select conservation treatments
•       Research and purchase equipment and supplies for conservation
•       Supervise enthusiastic volunteers and interns
•       Keep current about latest conservation techniques and practices through
research and training

Selection criteria:
Required:
•       Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program with a
specialization in paper conservation
•       Minimum two years experience conserving paper-based collections
•       Good manual skills and demonstrated ability to perform conservation
treatments as evidenced by presentation of conservation portfolio
•       Demonstrative ability to work within the AIC Code of Ethics
•       Knowledge of preservation theory and standards of conservation practice
•       Experience with technology-based management tools
•       Good organizational and communication skills
•       Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•       Ability to work with diverse constituencies, including curators,
archivists, librarians and administration

Preferred:
•       Conservation training or experience treating books and/or photographic
materials
•       Experience working with archival collections
•       Ability to compile time and cost estimates

Application procedure: Review of applications will begin immediately. First
consideration will be given to applications received by 5pm Friday, March 21.
Please direct questions and applications (cover letter addressing each of the
selection criteria, resume and hourly salary requirement) to:
Felicity Corkill
Associate Conservator
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
fcorkill [at] cjh [dot] org

No phone calls please. Candidates invited for interview will be required to
present a conservation portfolio and the contact details of three references.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

'via Blog this'