EMPLOYMENT
Harry Ransom Center University of Texas at Austin, United States
Job location: Austin, Texas
Description
Purpose: To manage, oversee, and supervise the paper conservation programs and the Paper Conservation Lab of the Harry Ransom Center. To provide complex conservation treatments to collection materials on paper.
Essential Functions: Perform paper conservation treatments of all levels of complexity. Supervise, train, and manage staff, interns, and volunteers in the Paper Conservation Lab in appropriate procedures and practices for the care of the Ransom Center collections. Oversee personnel safety training with regard toequipment, chemicals, and other materials used in paper conservation. Liaise and collaborate with curators, collection managers, administrative personnel, and other Ransom Center staff with regard to the care and treatment of collections on paper. Participate as part of the Preservation and conservation Division’s senior team to strategically plan for the ongoing care of the Ransom Center’s collections. Take a leadership and educational role in all activities and programs of the division, and similarly support other areas of the overall institutional preservation endeavor. Pursue independent studies and professional opportunities as appropriate. Assist the associate director with project planning and grant writing.
Required Qualifications: Master’s degree in art, art history, or library and information science plus a certificate of advanced study in conservation, or Master of Science degree in Art Conservation. A minimum of four years of post-graduate experience applying
conservation and preservation practices in libraries, special collections, archives, or museums. Experience should be primarily in paper conservation and include the treatment of works of art on paper, documents and manuscripts, and other paper-based works. Up
to one year of experience in the conservation treatment of bound volumes or photographs will be considered as part of the four years of required experience.
Preferred Qualifications:; More than four years of experience in conservation treatment of documents, manuscripts, and works of art on paper. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Extensive knowledge of materials and technologies encountered in the
creation and conservation of the full range of works on paper. Superior knowledge of the nature of paper and inks, colorants, adhesives, and material technologies as applied to the creation of artistic, literary, and documentary works. Knowledge of basic
research methods, exhibition standards, building environment systems, disaster planning and response, conservation trends, and collection surveys. Experience will include responsibility for collection management programs, laboratory management, and personnel
training and supervision. Experience working with curators and conservators in a team environment.
Posting number 151125010607. Applicants must upload a resume, submit a letter of interest and contact information for three references.
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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.
The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503
Rules)
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification form, I-9. You will be required to present acceptable, original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Information from the documents will be submitted to the federal E-Verify system for verification. Documents must be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in dismissal.
