The Supervising Collections Care Conservator works to protect and ensure immediate and long-term access of the Library’s vast and important general research collections. The position manages the activities and workflow of the Preservation Division’s Collections Care unit, trains and supervises staff, and performs bench treatment. Manages protective enclosure production, which is critical for collections not suitable for repair, and minimizes risk of further damage or loss while in storage or in transit.
This position manages partnerships with curatorial and library service units related to collections condition assessment, stabilization/repair/treatment, custom housing, mold remediation, pest management, and environmental monitoring. The Supervising Collection Care Conservator will be a primary conservation first responder in the event of disasters affecting Research Library collections. The incumbent is expected to quickly assess and recommend immediate action, triage collections material as well as direct and perform recovery activities.

• Provides leadership and vision for the unit’s activities and for future program development.
• Manages and performs the broad range of Collections Care activities.
• Evaluates unit’s processes and outputs, and implements modifications to improve quality and effectiveness.
• Plans and manages workflows through the lab for digitization, acquisitions damaged collections, and storage/move priorities.
• Determines appropriate treatments and assigns work to staff.
• Develops preservation strategies based on collection assessments and surveys.
• Manages grant, vendor and other projects as needed.
• Hires, trains, supervises and evaluates lab staff as well as assigns and evaluates work.
• Ensures that treatment standards and protocols are met.
• Performs a broad range of treatment activities on various library and archival formats, in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines of Practice as well as develops and tests new treatment procedures.
• Designs and produces hand-made and machine-made housings.
• Manages production from Kasemake automated boxmaking machine; maintains equipment and systems; performs Kasemake production as needed.
• Provides technical advice and training regarding handling, storage, selection for treatment, and treatment of library collections items.
• Collaborate with Research Libraries stakeholders in development of Library policies and practices.
• Collaborates with NYPL curatorial staff to establish unit priorities and quotas for collection items as well as with central library technical service operations (BookOps) to prioritize and provide treatment and stabilization of acquisitions.

• Master’s degree or certificate from an accredited graduate training program in conservation.
• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in library and information studies or substantial work experience in a research library environment preferred.
• Knowledge of conservation theory and practice.
• Professional experience in a wide range of conservation treatment procedures of various paper-based formats, as demonstrated by a portfolio.
• Experience in disaster recovery procedures for library/archival/museum materials.
• Knowledge of book history, book binding, papermaking, paper deterioration and materials science.
• Knowledge of preservation issues and current trends facing large research libraries across the nation.
• Successful management skills, including the ability to train and supervise staff and assess work.
• Successful organizational and analytical skills, including experience organizing and managing projects and/or workflow in a production setting.
• Strong computer and database skills, including the ability to work with integrated library systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work collegially across a large, complex, and dynamic organizational setting.

To Apply: https://jobs-nypl.icims.com/jobs/8798/supervising-collections-care-conservator/job