Position: Preventive Conservator

Description: Princeton University Library (PUL) seeks a skilled, knowledgeable, & innovative Preventive Conservator (PC) to administer & manage preventive conservation of PUL's extraordinary collections. PUL is one of the world's leading research libraries, serving a diverse community of 5,500 undergraduates, 3,100 graduate students, 1,200 faculty members, & many visiting scholars. Its holdings include more than 7 million printed volumes, 5 million manuscripts, 2 million non-print items, & extensive collections of digital text, data, & images. PUL employs a dedicated & knowledgeable staff of more than 300 professional & support staff working in a large central library, 9 specialized branches, & 3 storage facilities. Major Responsibilities Reporting to the Assistant University Librarian for Preservation & Conservation (P & C), the PC addresses library-wide, systemic preservation issues to ensure the long-standing wellbeing of all of the general & special collections, thereby diminishing the need for item-level remediation. The PC takes primary responsibility for a variety of collections management activities including: environmental monitoring & management, integrated pest management, collection housing & storage projects, & condition surveys. The PC collaborates with P & C colleagues to plan for & respond to collection emergencies, to carry out materials testing & analysis, to manage collection moves, & to develop departmental & Library-wide policies & workflows. Finally, the PC will be a key resource for Library staff seeking guidance on a range of collections care topics & will provide outreach & training as appropriate. Required *Master's degree in conservation or related area with conservation certificate, plus 5 years postgraduate experience, or equivalent combination of education & experience *Demonstrated knowledge of conservation science, analytic techniques, preventive conservation principles, & conservation ethics *Demonstrated skill in conservation treatments in area of specialization *Experience conducting housing & storage projects *Experience planning & carrying out condition surveys *Aptitude with MS Office & Google Suite tools *Interest in & experience with library and/or archival collections *Outstanding interpersonal, written, & verbal communication skills *Ability to plan, prioritize, multi-task, & meet deadlines *Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, consultants, & vendors *Availability for occasional travel & evening/weekend shifts as necessary Preferred *Major or minor in preventive conservation at graduate level *Previous academic library experience *Previous supervisory experience *Expertise in stewardship of non-Western collections *Experience providing training in collections care to non-specialists *Experience with collection moves *Track record of engagement with professional organizations, incl. presenting & publishing in appropriate venues *Knowledge of 1 or more foreign languages *Peer-reviewed status with American Institute for Conservation The successful candidate will be appointed as a Professional Specialist or more senior rank depending on qualifications & experience. Applications will be accepted only from the AHire website: https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/29062 & must include a resume, cover letter, & list of 3 references with full contact information. Applications received by February 24, 2023 will receive first consideration. Application review begins immediately & continues until the position is filled. This position is subject to the University's background check policy. PUL is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and advancing the University's commitment to racial equity within our community and in the world. We encourage candidates from all diverse backgrounds and life experiences to apply for our positions. To find out more about PUL's work towards greater inclusivity, equity, and diversity, please see https://library.princeton.edu/about.

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