Conservator - Tennessee State Library and Archives

Conservator / Conservation Lab Supervisor
Tennessee Department of State
The Tennessee State Library & Archives

Mission: The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in a customer-centered environment.

Supervisor: Director of Archival Collection Services

Summary: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Tennessee State Library & Archives is the official repository for the permanent state records of Tennessee and collects privately donated materials that provide insight into the lives of Tennesseans and the history and culture of Tennessee. The Library & Archives is committed to the preservation and accessibility of the materials in its collections and encourages and promotes library and archives development throughout the state, including guidance on preservation. The Library & Archives has 554,888 records in its catalog, including approximately 33,000 cubic feet of archive materials. All Tennesseans have access to our online repositories and catalog, and anyone can research on-site with a Library & Archives library card.

The Conservator/Conservation Lab Supervisor oversees the operations of the Library & Archives’ Conservation Lab, which include conservation treatments, the creation of custom enclosures, housings, and supports, and institution-wide preservation programs including integrated pest management and environmental monitoring. The position supervises one full-time technician and two part-time assistants, plans training and outreach programs, and manages a calendar of production in concert with the Director of Archival Collection Services and the Assistant State Archivist.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manages and supervises all lab staff, and all activities supported by the conservation lab. Trains staff as needed on new tasks.
• Performs conservation treatments on library and archives collections, maintaining written and photographic documentation of all work.
• Designs and creates housings and exhibit mounts/supports for collections.
• Recommends standards and procedures for the preservation, treatment, handling, and storage of collections.
• Implements the preventive conservation programs, including the integrated pest management program and environmental monitoring program.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment for the conservation lab; operates required equipment and updates procedural documentation for the equipment.
• Provides training and education for Library & Archives’ staff, as well as for staff of archives, libraries, and governmental agencies statewide on environmental monitoring and control, disaster preparedness, housings, and care and handling of collections.
• Keeps up-to-date on best practices by establishing and maintaining working relationships with other conservation departments and/or conservators, as well as engagement with professional organizations, publications, and continuing education and research.
• Assists with emergency/disaster response planning and training.
• Performs other related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a recognized graduate program in art conservation, specializing in paper, photographs, or library and archives, or equivalent.
• A minimum of two years’ professional conservation experience, or commensurate qualification and experience.
• Experience and expertise in the treatment and preservation of works of art on paper, photographic materials, and/or books.
• Knowledge of the materials, characteristics, and historic and current methods of manufacture of paper, photographs, and books.
• Experience creating enclosures for the safe storage of collections.
• Familiarity with appropriate exhibition and environmental standards for collections, emergency/disaster planning and response, and the surveying of collections.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• An analytical, adaptable, and creative approach to problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with allied professionals, associates, public officials, private groups, and the public.
• Ability to draft and implement policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory experience.
• Experience working across different departments and with cross-departmental preservation programs.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus the State of Tennessee Benefits Package.

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