"Preservation Technician"

Preservation Technician

Company: The University of Arizona

Job Location: Tucson, Arizona

Category: Libraries

Type: Full-Time

Posting Number: req24421

Department: Special Collections

Location: Main Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The Preservation Technician supports the preservation of the University of Arizona Libraries' Special Collections through preventative care, light conservation treatments, environmental monitoring, disaster planning and recovery, and preservation and conservation oversight in digitization process workflows. They also advise the Collections Services Department on preservation concerns for all UA Libraries' general collections. This position reports to the Collections Management Archivist/Unit Lead and is part of the Collections Management Unit.

The Preservation Technician ensures a consistent approach to our preservation activities and contributes to the ongoing development of the Libraries' preservation program for paper-based materials. They will also supervise student employees and lead staff who support preservation activities.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

Preservation Management and Policy

• In collaboration with the Rare Books Librarian and the Collections Management Archivist, recommends, develops, and prioritizes treatment, preventive, and housing solutions for individual items and collections, with a focus on bound and archival material.
• Participates in the establishment of policies, procedures, and guidelines for lifecycle management of collections - especially paper-based and photographic formats- and for physical storage and care of collections.
• Works closely with the Public Services and Instruction Librarian to provide training for staff and students on handling of materials in Special Collections and develop guidance for handling materials in the reading room.
• Serves as a point person for questions related to proper storage and handling methods, as well as preservation of paper-based material in both Special Collections and in the general collection of the University of Arizona Libraries.
• Participates in outreach activities on preservation, as needed.
• Supervises students and leads staff working in support of preservation activities.

Collections Environment

• Coordinates environmental monitoring and integrated pest management program for Special Collections, in collaboration with UAL Facilities.
• Leads the disaster preparedness and response process for Special Collections and participates in library-wide disaster preparedness planning in collaboration with Facilities and the Collection Services Department.
• Works closely with the Collections Management Archivist on stack maintenance and space issues.

Collections Care

• Treats and houses a broad range of rare library and archives materials with a full range of condition concerns, using a variety of techniques and materials, and manages outsourcing of preservation and conservation treatments as needed.
• Assesses treatment, handling, housing, and equipment needs for the digitization, arrangement & description, and exhibition programs. Plans and conducts enclosure projects as needed for the exhibition program.
• Maintains statistics and documentation on preservation and conservation activities and works with staff to track loaned material.

Other Departmental Duties

• Provides reference services at the reading room desk weekly.
• The UA Libraries support the UA's strategic initiatives designed to create a welcoming environment for all faculty, staff, and students. The candidate is expected to support related strategic efforts in the department and Libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of preservation best practices including environmental concerns, disaster planning and recovery, and handling and treatment of materials.
• Ability to apply and adapt knowledge and skills to a variety of tasks.
• Knowledge of library services platforms and archival inventory applications.
• Knowledge of metadata schema.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, one that values and leverages the benefits of a variety of perspectives.
• Positive attitude and strong demonstration of UA Libraries' Values.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Library and Information Science (LIS) or advanced training in preservation or conservation activities.
• Experience creating and constructing housing for collection materials.
• Experience with exhibition preparation.
• Experience with integrated pest management and environmental monitoring.
• Experience with disaster emergency and recovery planning.
• Workflow and project management experience.
• Supervisory experience of student employees or interns.
• Experience with collection management, survey projects, large-scale enclosure projects, grant-funded projects, and/or digitization projects.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Libraries

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: $59,404 - $74,254

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade: 8