Easter Seals Jobs

Req #: 234123

Department: UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Posting Date: 05/14/2024

Closing Info: Closes On 06/14/2024

Salary: $3999 - $5371 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-summary-classified-staff-greater-than-half-time-20220908_a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The UW Libraries is one of the largest and most innovative libraries in North America with extensive collections in print, electronic, and other formats. Providing services to three campuses, the UW Libraries also plays a significant leadership role regionally and throughout the profession. The UW Libraries is recognized for its excellent service, innovative learning and research spaces, collaborative approaches, extensive assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff.

The University of Washington Libraries has an opening for a Conservation Specialist.

Under the general direction of the Conservation Manager, the Conservation Specialist performs complex conservation for the UW Libraries circulating collections and creates protective enclosures for both circulating and special collections. The Conservation Specialist uses intensive knowledge and expertise in library preservation to evaluate library materials in need of repair and to perform skilled, complex, specialized conservation treatments, such as those required in the typical work for circulating library materials. The Specialist trains and supervises student and hourly staff, thereby setting standards, establishing protocols, and sustaining both the quality and quantity of the department’s work. They collaborate with staff members throughout the library system to analyze, resolve, and respond to library preservation needs.

The Conservation Center is part of the Preservation Services Department, one of four departments in the Collections & Content portfolio of the University of Washington Libraries. The department’s mission is to care for, and enhance access to, the UW Libraries collections that advance research, teaching, and learning at the University of Washington. Preservation Services consists of ten staff who manage programs designed to extend the life of the UW Libraries collections including commercial binding, conservation, digital preservation, disaster planning, environmental monitoring, media preservation, preservation replacement and reformatting, and shelf preparation.

Selected candidates will be asked to provide a cover letter and portfolio (physical or digital) of examples of their bookbinding, book repair, or related work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Conservation Treatment and Enclosures

• Evaluate library materials selected for repair or housing; identify and specify treatment options, advise staff regarding treatment choices, costs, and routing procedures.

• Apply expertise, creativity, and informed judgement to daily tasks.

• Perform highly complex and advanced treatment of circulating collections.

• Repair primarily 19th-20th century binding structures, including paper repair and guarding, page replacement, resewing, and cloth case rebacking.

• Prepare materials for binding by outside vendor, including consolidation for sewn and adhesive text blocks, creating and attaching replacement pages, replacing endsheets and re-lining spines.

• Construct protective enclosures such as drop-spine boxes, four-flap portfolios, phase wrappers, and custom-designed boxes; encapsulate maps, drawings, posters, and other flat work; make pockets within bindings for accompanying items such as maps, plates, etc.

• Develop creative solutions to unique materials housing, handling, and storage needs.

• Maintain current and pertinent knowledge of library conservation principles and practice, through hands-on training and professional meetings and literature.

• Work collaboratively with other staff to design, analyze, and execute solutions to resolve complex preservation problems.

• Execute bindings in various styles and materials, including pamphlet bindings, case bindings, and post bindings. Supervisory and Training

• Supervise 3-5 conservation students whose work is primarily focused on in-house pamphlet binding and assembling custom enclosures.

• Interview, hire, train, schedule, assign, and evaluate the work for student staff including providing ongoing, individualized training; specifying treatment; and setting standards for quality and productivity.

• Prepare materials to facilitate pamphlet workflow: including paper repair, guarding, and photocopying replacement pages.

• Develop training resources and tools to support and improve the work of students and hourly staff. General Duties

• Ensure proper use, maintenance, and safety of tools and equipment in collaboration with the Conservation Manager and others.

• Monitor materials during the treatment process; locate materials and expedite treatment as requested.

• Assist Conservation Manager with the day-to-day management of circulating collections workflows in the Conservation Center.

• Maintain supplies used in daily operations, especially for pamphlet binding and student workflows.

• Assist with the salvage of library materials damaged by water, mold, fire, or other disasters.

• Communicate appropriately, effectively and positively.

• Play an active role in staying informed and participating in Libraries and unit meetings, activities and events.

• Perform the duties of a Library Specialist I.

• Assist with other preservation services as needed.

• Perform related duties as required. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High school Graduation or equivalent

• Five years of applicable library technical experience, including two years in the area of specialization OR equivalent education/experience. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrable experience in pamphlet binding, book repair, enclosures, and/or hand bookbinding.

• Superior manual dexterity and ability to perform delicate, exacting tasks with a high level of accuracy and productivity.

• Experience training, motivating, and evaluating the work of others.

• Demonstrated ability to clearly explain procedures and policies in person and in writing.

• Experience working with diverse populations. Demonstrated commitment to promoting equitable access and service to a diverse community.

• Ability to work collaboratively and individually to support department and institutional goals. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in a range of book conservation techniques and protective enclosures, preferably in a library or museum setting.

• Experience supervising students or other staff.

• Knowledge of historical to contemporary techniques and materials of bookbinding and papermaking.

• Understanding of the physical properties of book, paper, and graphic materials.

• Familiarity with principles and ethics of conservation treatment.

• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, to plan, coordinate, and implement effective projects. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Work schedule is Monday-Friday, between 8:00am and 5:00pm.

• Ability to lift and/or move at least 30 lbs and to comfortably move full book trucks.

• May need to wear an N-95 respirator and appropriate protective equipment for occasional work with mold-damaged materials.

• At times, may need to work outside of regular Monday-Friday (8am-5pm) hours to support the recovery of damaged collections or to meet other deadlines.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.