Conservator
What you'd do
The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.
Major duties
The Conservator position is located in the Conservation Division in the Preservation Directorate in Discovery and Preservation Services in the Library Collections and Services Group. The Directorate is responsible for the long-term, uninterrupted access to the Library's collections through a variety of preservation programs. The Conservation Division accomplishes the preservation of the Library's holdings – ranging from the General and Reference Collections to the rare and Special Collections – through a variety of activities including condition assessment; housing and conservation treatment of collection items; research and analysis of Library materials and their degradation; and providing consultation and outreach regarding conservation subject matters. The Conservator duties have their foundation in the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Essential Competencies for Conservation, Preservation, and Scientific Analysis. The Foundational Competencies as well as the Practice Competencies for Conservation apply to all grade levels in this PD career ladder. In general, conservators are highly trained specialists who have developed a keen sense of judgement to evaluate collection (item) condition and determine the most effective treatment options based on an understanding of the chemical and physical composition of the Library's artifacts and collections, a background in the degradation processes that affect those materials, and a knowledge of the various methods to minimize or mitigate risk and stabilize or treat the Library's collections. The Conservator ensures the longevity and usefulness of the Library's Special Collections, their physical manifestations, the values they represent, and the information they contain; performs services that enable Library collections to be used safely for exhibition, digitization, research use, transportation, or permanent storage; and participates in Division-wide collection emergency response and recovery activities. The Conservator plans and executes work based on broad-based knowledge, skills, and requisite training and experience and ensures that all work is performed according to the guidelines established by the Library of Congress and the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. Since this position requires access and use of high value and top tier collections to perform the work of the position, a Public Trust background investigation at the Moderate risk level will be required. This position is considered the most senior of all non-supervisory Conservator positions. The incumbent is therefore expected to operate successfully in situations that require the highest level of independence, self-direction, and capability of addressing the most complex and/or unique challenges through research and innovation. Major projects pursued or led by the incumbent have a direct impact on the division or even the conservation field. At this level, the Conservator: As the Conservator, you will: Address the conservation needs that pose unusual challenges and/or involve the Library's rarest or valuable collection items including custodial unit treasures and the Library's National Treasures. Survey and assesses Library collections that pose complex, multi-faceted, or unusual preservation challenges to determine condition and preservation needs through holistic collection assessment or representative sampling. Undertake or lead efforts and/or teams of Conservation Division staff to perform condition assessment of such collections. Through innovative efforts, modify existing tools or builds new tools to fit project needs to capture data. Draw on extensive exposure and experience in conservation and conservation research to successfully lead to the successful completion of complex projects that may involve additional staff, contractors, and or interns. Analyze lab protocols and workflows and determines approaches for operational improvement. In consultation with division management, leads innovative efforts to improve lab capabilities and increase workflow efficiencies. Communicate technical, conceptual, and philosophical issues clearly and effectively in written and non-written form to other professional peers, Library stakeholders, and the general public as part of collaboration, service, and advocacy. Regularly publish research or scholarly findings with papers that make a noted impact on the field's body of knowledge. Perform various other duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 426864. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a compflex; or flexitime; or maxiflex work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of conservation treatment. ** Ability to research and analyze collections and materials to carry out conservation treatment and preventive conservation measures. ** Ability to provide consultation, outreach, and liaison services. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to provide training. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Before you apply
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