Senior Conservation Technician

Duke University:

 

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

 

Position Summary

The Senior Conservation Technician repairs materials primarily from circulating collections, creates custom enclosures for general and special collections, and manages the work of student assistants. Responsibilities also include lab management tasks, disaster planning and recovery support, and environmental monitoring program support.

Responsibilities

Conservation and Custom Enclosures (75%)

· Performs basic, intermediate, and advanced repairs primarily on circulating collections materials.

· Constructs custom enclosures for library materials from circulating and special collections.

· Prepares items for the shelf including binding pamphlets, making pockets, inserting tip-ins, creating and inserting replacement pages, ordering and applying shelf labels, etc.

· Recognizes that the use and value of objects from different regions, cultures, and religions vary, and is sensitive to these issues when making treatment decisions and during handling. Acknowledges where gaps in understanding of these differences may exist, and strives to close those gaps through readings, workshops, classes, etc.

· Follows established guidelines and procedures.

 

Workflow Management (10%)

· Retrieves and triages materials according to established guidelines; returns completed items.

· Makes daily assignments and provides training and technical assistance for student assistants; conducts quality assurance of student work.

· Provides technical assistance to interns and volunteers.

· Identifies materials for replacement and/or potential transfer to special collections.

 

Lab Management (5%)

· Equipment and space management: Maintains specialized bookbinding and office equipment; organizes quarterly lab maintenance activities; submits and tracks facilities repair requests for the lab and vault spaces.

· Lab and safety documentation: Keeps lab documentation updated including lab manual, SDS notebook, chemical hygiene plan, etc.; understands and follows safe laboratory practices and demonstrates safe practices to staff and student assistants; tracks chemical inventories, ensures proper labeling on chemical containers, stays current on Duke University chemical lab requirements and training schedules, and reports required changes

to department; organizes respirator fit testing through OESO for current and new employees.

 

Disaster Planning and Recovery/Environmental Monitoring (5%)

· Participates on disaster response team in the event of a collections emergency.

· Helps inventory, restock, and maintain disaster recovery supplies and equipment.

· Assists the Department Head with environmental monitoring program; responds to reported issues as needed.

 

Departmental Support (5%)

· Assists in presenting preservation education and outreach programs including in person and through our blog.

· Regularly reviews/updates departmental workflow and technical documentation.

· Participates in planning and setting goals, managing projects, and developing workflows in support of CSD priorities.

· It is the expectation that all Conservation Services staff will interact respectfully with colleagues, students, interns, and volunteers from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

· Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

· Assists Head of Conservation Services Department in recruiting and supervising student assistants.

Qualifications

It is the expectation that all Duke University Libraries staff members will demonstrate exceptional workplace behaviors in the execution of their specific position responsibilities. These behaviors are customer focus, collaboration, creative problem solving, continuous learning, and a commitment to creating a culture of inclusion that values and respects diversity of perspective, background, and experience.

 

Education:

Required: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

 

Experience:

Required: Two years of library experience to obtain a specialized knowledge of library systems and procedures; excellent interpersonal,