APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking to hire a Conversation Staff Assistance, part-time.

The Conservation Staff Assistant will be Part-time: 24 hours per week, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Purpose/Position Summary:

Performs conservation care and treatments on library materials held in the library’s general, rare, and special collections. This position’s primary assignment will involve collections preservation and conservation at the University Libraries Conservation Centre located four miles off-campus on Sandy Drive.

Responsibilities (essential functions):

Under the close direction of the Preservation Services Supervisor and Senior Book Conservator:

• Assists in the preparation of materials for commercial binding. This involves evaluating periodicals, serials, newspapers, and monographs for shipment, boxing of materials, unpacking returned shipments, and quality control checks.  Assists in the preparation of materials for mass deacidification treatment, such as selection of materials, condition review, and tracking shipments. 

• Receives training and performs a variety of tasks related to the preservation and conservation of books and other library materials from Penn State’s general, rare, and special collections.  Carries out treatments on library materials under accepted standards for conservation practice. Assesses and performs minor book repairs including cleaning, mending, construction of housing, and encapsulation. Receives training in traditional bookbinding and paper art techniques and participates in outreach project design.

• Assists with supply inventories and restocking of materials; prepares solutions and other treatment essentials (e.g., paste, adhesives). 

• Adhere to best practices by maintaining a clean workspace; understanding and observing building and chemical safety protocols; and maintaining the security of valuable library materials.

• Maintains accurate statistics on daily activities and reports this information monthly.  All work assignments and tasks are to be completed in