Preservation Technician

The Preservation Technician supports the preservation of the University of Arizona Libraries' Special Collections through preventative care, light conservation treatments, environmental monitoring, disaster planning and recovery, and preservation and conservation oversight in digitization process workflows. They also advise the Collections Services Department on preservation concerns for all UA Libraries' general collections. This position reports to the Collections Management Archivist/Unit Lead and is part of the Collections Management Unit.

The Preservation Technician ensures a consistent approach to our preservation activities and contributes to the ongoing development of the Libraries' preservation program for paper-based materials. They will also supervise student employees and lead staff who support preservation activities.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

Preservation Management and
Policy

• In collaboration with the Rare Books
  Librarian and the Collections Management Archivist, recommends, develops, and prioritizes
  treatment, preventive, and housing solutions for individual items and
  collections, with a focus on bound and archival material.
• Participates
  in the establishment of policies, procedures, and guidelines for lifecycle
  management of collections - especially paper-based and photographic formats- and for physical storage and care of collections.
• Works
  closely with the Public Services and Instruction Librarian to provide training
  for staff and students on handling of materials in Special Collections and
  develop guidance for handling materials in the reading room.
• Serves
  as a point person for questions related to proper storage and handling methods, as well as preservation of paper-based material in both Special Collections and
  in the general collection of the University of Arizona Libraries.
• Participates
  in outreach activities on preservation, as needed.
• Supervises
  students and leads staff working in support of preservation activities.

Collections Environment

• Coordinates
  environmental monitoring and integrated pest management program for Special
  Collections, in collaboration with UAL Facilities.
• Leads
  the disaster preparedness and response process for Special Collections and
  participates in library-wide disaster preparedness planning in collaboration
  with Facilities and the Collection Services Department.
• Works
  closely with the Collections Management Archivist on stack maintenance and
  space issues.

Collections Care

• Treats
  and houses a broad range of rare library and archives materials with a full
  range of condition concerns, using a variety of techniques and materials, and
  manages outsourcing of preservation and conservation treatments as needed.
• Assesses
  treatment, handling, housing, and equipment needs for the digitization,
  arrangement & description, and exhibition programs. Plans and conducts
  enclosure projects as needed for the exhibition program.
• Maintains
  statistics and documentation on preservation and conservation activities and
  works with staff to track loaned material.

Other Departmental Duties

• Provides reference services at the
  reading room desk weekly.
• The UA Libraries support the UA's strategic
  initiatives designed to create a welcoming
  environment for all faculty, staff, and students. The candidate is
  expected to support related strategic efforts in the department and Libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge
  of preservation best practices including environmental concerns, disaster
  planning and recovery, and handling and treatment of materials.
• Ability
  to apply and adapt knowledge and skills to a variety of tasks.
• Knowledge
  of library services platforms and archival inventory applications.
• Knowledge
  of metadata schema.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both
  written and verbal.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, one
  that values and leverages the benefits of a variety of perspectives.
• Positive attitude and strong demonstration of UA Libraries'
  Values.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's
  degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level
  experience.
• 3 years of
  relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work
  experience.

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Library and Information Science (LIS) or advanced training in preservation or conservation activities.
  
• Experience creating and constructing housing for collection materials.
  
• Experience with exhibition preparation.
  
• Experience with integrated pest management and environmental monitoring.
  
• Experience with disaster emergency and recovery planning.
  
• Workflow and project management experience.
  
• Supervisory experience of student employees or interns.
  
• Experience with collection management, survey projects, large-scale enclosure projects, grant-funded projects, and/or digitization projects.