Book and Paper Conservator, The Harry Ransom Center

Job Details

General Notes

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at UT Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screening.

Purpose

The Harry Ransom Center seeks an energetic and collaborative book and paper conservator to join the Ransom Center Preservation and Conservation Division in a full-time, permanent position. The conservator will work on a wide variety of bound and paper-based materials from the Ransom Center collections, from medieval to contemporary works. The Division works closely with staff across the Ransom Center to support the use of collections for research, teaching, exhibitions, loans, and imaging.

This position will carry out preservation and conservation of bound collections and works on paper at the Harry Ransom Center and provide conservation treatment at all levels of complexity for the Center’s works on paper (including archival documents, maps, posters, prints, and art on paper) and bound collection materials (from bound manuscripts, incunabula and other historical bindings to contemporary books, photo albums, and scrapbook formats).

Responsibilities

• Perform book and paper conservation treatments at all levels of complexity, providing full written and photographic documentation. Apply appropriate research techniques, including use of instrumental methods, in the examination and analysis of collection materials.
• Consult with curators, collection managers, exhibition staff, and other Ransom Center staff on the preservation, handling, housing, treatment, and exhibition of bound items and works on paper.
• Participate in preventive measures, such as inspection of incoming collections; emergency preparedness, response and recovery; housing; and staff collections handling training.
• As an integral member of the Preservation and Conservation team, participate in division-wide activities, including planning, meetings, tours, and the cooperative maintenance of conservation equipment and labs.
• Assist in the supervision and training of Conservation Lab interns and volunteers.
• Pursue research, independent study, and professional opportunities that further the field of conservation, representing the Ransom Center in local, national, and international forums as appropriate. Communicate to the Ransom Center’s audiences through a range of methods on paper conservation.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Salary Range

62,200.00

Working Conditions

Work Shift

M-F, 40 hours between 7AM-7PM

Required Materials

Resume / CV

Important   for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers :  You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers :  As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility :

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion / transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility :

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks :

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.