Preservation Services Manager
Center for Jewish History
Position description:
The Center for Jewish History is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Preservation Services Manager. This position manages the Preservation Services department which offers conservation treatment and re-housing of archival, library and photographic materials, exhibition consultation, and preventive conservation services for the partner’s collections.
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 books and 30,000 linear feet of records. The collections also include thousands of artworks, textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films and photographs.
Reporting to the Senior Manager for Collection Services, this position will work directly with the Archival Services Manager and Digital Services Manager around joint processing, digitization and conservation projects. The role requires a close working relationship with the partner collection managers to determine their treatment priorities, advise on and collaborate in all aspects of collection care; and Building Services for environmental monitoring and other preventive conservation projects.
The successful applicant will be a dynamic team leader and a forward-thinking and professionally engaged conservation manager. They will have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing team-based environment. The ability to formulate and implement innovative approaches and solutions to problems, communicate complex ideas to a wide range of audiences, and to speak and write clearly, concisely, and persuasively is important. Exceptional organizational, analytical, and interpersonal communication, time and project management skills, and a strong commitment to the improvement of preservation and collection services will be essential for success in this position.
Responsibilities include:
- Planning and managing workflows through the conservation lab and determining priorities for conservation treatment, re-housing, exhibitions and preventive conservation
- Developing, maintaining and implementing procedures and training manuals; evaluating processes and outputs, ensuring that treatment standards are met and implementing modifications to improve quality and effectiveness; training and supervising lab staff, volunteers and interns
- Tracking budget expenses and materials; maintaining department statistics and preparing reports; maintaining treatment records and database systems
- Directing and carrying out environmental monitoring and preventive conservation activities
- Directing condition surveys on both item and collection level as appropriate, devising and implementing short and long term preservation strategies based on assessment
- Advising on exhibition and loan of collection material to ensure its safety and care, including packaging for transport, security, length of display, mounting, lighting and environmental conditions
- Providing emergency preparedness and disaster recovery leadership
- Examining, documenting, and conducting complex conservation treatment of a wide range of paper-based archival , library and photographic material
- Following best practices and standards for treatments; keeping current about the latest conservation techniques and practices through research and training
- Assisting in identifying grant opportunities and in the preparation of grant applications and funding proposals for collection-related needs
- Supporting staff, patron, and community engagement through outreach activities, including workshops, seminars, and other training for Center and/or external audiences, and social media
Required qualifications:
- Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program with a specialization in paper or book conservation
- Minimum five years experience conserving paper-based materials
- Experience in preservation project management
- Knowledge of preservation theory and standards of conservation practice
- Experience supervising and managing collaborative teams
- Experience with technology-based management tools
- Good organizational, time management and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work with diverse constituencies, including collection managers, archivists, librarians, building operations staff, and administration
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working with library or archival material
- Experience with budget development, and tracking budgets and expenditures
To Apply:
Review of applications will begin immediately. First consideration will be given to applications received by Sunday December 27. Please direct questions and applications (cover letter addressing each of the selection criteria, resume and salary requirements) to:
Felicity Corkill
Preservation Services Manager
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
fcorkill [at] cjh_org
No phone calls please. Candidates invited for interview will be required to present a conservation portfolio of projects and treatments, and the contact details of three references.