Job Announcement - Conservator

The Huntington invites applications for the Dibner Conservator. The position is an exempt, full time, regular staff position in the Preservation Department’s Conservation Lab. This professional position is endowed by the Dibner Fund.

Responsibilities: The Dibner Conservator is responsible for the physical care, preservation, and conservation treatment of books, manuscripts, serials, paintings, and objects in the history of science and technology collections at The Huntington Library. The Dibner Conservator works to develop and carry out appropriate and expedient protocols and techniques for treating, documenting, examining, exhibiting, housing, and photographing these collections materials. The Dibner Conservator will complete conservation surveys of the collection, and establishes conservation priorities and treatment strategies for the collection. The Dibner Conservator will create an annual report for the Dibner Fund. The Dibner Conservator uses imaging, written documentation, and the in-house conservation treatment database to describe and archive records of conservation treatments for the collection. The Dibner Conservator maintains and orders supplies and equipment to care for the collection as needed. The Dibner Conservator may supervise and train interns or additional staff as needed. The Dibner Conservator participates in departmental meetings and activities such as educational programs, emergency response, and environmental monitoring.

The Huntington’s science and technology collections range from a 1279 copy of Ptolemy's Almagest to nearly a century's worth of papers from Mt. Wilson Observatory, including correspondence between George Ellery Hale and Albert Einstein, and the papers of Edwin Hubble. The Library's holdings of works by Charles Darwin are unsurpassed in the United States. One of the Library's treasures is the double-elephant folio of John James Audubon's Birds of America (1827-38) with full-color illustrations of birds in their habitats. The Huntington's history of mathematics includes 39 editions of Euclid's Elements. Rare Newton, Galileo, Copernicus, and Linneaus materials are also represented.

The Burndy Library at the Huntington Library consists of an extensive collection in the history of science and technology with a strong focus on the physical sciences. The Burndy Library comprises materials from antiquity to the 20th century, with a particular emphasis on 18th-century physics, including collections by and about Isaac Newton, as well as major collections in 18th- and 19th-century mathematics, the history of electricity, civil and structural engineering, optics, and color theory. The collection includes such rare treasures as a 1544 edition of Archimedes' Philosophi ac Geometrae, a first edition of Robert Boyle's Experiments and the scientific library of Louis Pasteur. The addition of the Burndy Library to the Huntington will make the Huntington one of the most important American centers for research in the history of science and technology.

A Bachelor’s degree is required, with the Master’s degree plus certificate in Conservation from a recognized graduate conservation training program or a Bachelor’s degree plus a combination of equivalent formalized advanced training and experience in the conservation of library and museum materials.

Previous experience working in a library, museum, archives facility, or equivalent situation.

Skill in book and paper conservation treatments as demonstrated by a portfolio.

Computer literacy, database, and research skills.

Demonstrated knowledge of material science as it applies to library & museum materials and media.

Strong knowledge of the history of bookbinding structures and printing.

An understanding of the theory and practical techniques of conservation and preservation of book, paper, and art materials.

Excellent manual skills, attention to detail.

A strong commitment to preserving the intrinsic value of the artifacts through the application of appropriate conservation techniques.

Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

To Apply: Send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references. Please refer to job # 116-06.

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