Position at British Library

Modern Materials Specialist Conservator
The British Library
St Pancras, London

UKP26,357 - UKP32,988 pa
Permanent, full-time
Ref: KB 134

The Modern Materials Conservator is a specialist post within
Conservation. The British Library's collection of 150 million items
is made up of items from across the centuries and across cultures.
Increasingly, collection items from all cultures are made from
materials classed as Modern Materials. This post reflects the
Library's recognition of the need to enhance current skills and
knowledge, and to build strengths in the conservation and
preservation of materials that have appeared in times of rapidly
changing technologies, since the mid-late 19th century.

You will identify areas of greatest need in the care of Modern
Materials and will provide the British Library with specialist
skills and knowledge on their preventive and remedial conservation.
Through actively maintained links to other areas of Collection Care,
you will act as a conduit for information about the treatment,
preventive conservation and storage of these collections, as well as
relevant research and training requirements.

You will also provide a specialist focus for public programmes
centred on Conservation and care of collections more generally, and
liaise with, and offer professional advice to, conservators,
curators, and heads of departments on both a local and an
international level.

In this role, you will report to the Head of Conservation and will
be working closely with managers, team leaders and other colleagues
in Conservation.

The British Library supports PACR accreditation and welcomes
applications from accredited conservators.

Key areas of responsibility

    *   To undertake advanced practical conservation, requiring
        specialist skills and knowledge, on
        delicate/damaged/unique/unusual items or items with specific
        problems or of a specific nature, from the Library's
        collections using appropriate conservation practices, both
        established and innovative.

    *   To carry out research and treatment development as
        determined by conservation, preservation, collection access
        and training and development priorities.

    *   To provide leadership and advice in the conservation of
        Modern Materials.

    *   To lead project work and manage project teams working within
        area/s of Modern Materials.

    *   To provide training and development in the conservation of
        Modern Materials.

    *   To ensure the proper implementation of COSHH (Control of
        Substances Hazardous to Health) and other H&S regulations
        within own work area and within project teams.

Minimum requirements (essential)

    *   Recent and extensive practical experience in conservation
        (experience and knowledge of Modern Materials Conservation
        would be an advantage).

    *   A degree in conservation studies or equivalent knowledge and
        skills sets.

    *   A broad knowledge of available conservation treatments
        across a range of disciplines, with specialist skills and
        knowledge within the field of paper and/or book
        conservation.

    *   Proficiency in intricate practical processes of examination,
        assessment, documentation and preventive and interventive
        conservation.

    *   A very high level of manual dexterity with the ability to
        treat extremely fragile and delicate materials, and to
        observe fine detail and be able to maintain high levels of
        concentration over long periods of time.

    *   A thorough understanding of the ethics of conservation and
        an ability to apply ethics to treatments of items in the
        context of a research collection that is accessed by readers
        and researchers.

    *   Sound knowledge and understanding of the deterioration
        characteristics, properties, behaviours and interaction of a
        wide range of organic and inorganic materials.

    *   Sound knowledge of the science relating to conservation the
        relationship between materials and their environment.

    *   The ability to diagnose complex conservation problems and to
        develop options for the solutions of those problems, and to
        evaluate the risks associated with the options.

    *   Sensitivity to cultural and religious issues as they relate
        to conservation treatments and handling of significant
        items.

    *   The ability to plan and manage projects, including
        estimating the resources needed for a complex project or
        item of work.

    *   The ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in
        writing, at all levels and discuss complex issues within
        their area of expertise with a wide range of people
        including curators, researchers, scholars, students and
        members of the public.

    *   The ability to access, assimilate and evaluate information
        regarding the latest developments within the conservation
        field and to use this and existing knowledge to select and
        apply treatments appropriate to an item.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact Vicki
Humphrey, Head of Conservation, on +44 20 7412 7803.

For guidance on how to apply and details of the requirements for the
role, visit <URL:http://www.bl.uk/vacancies>

Closing date: 6 January 2007.

The Library has a strong competency-based performance management
programme which encourages the highest standards of service
innovation and professional development.

The British Library is an Equal Opportunities employer. We recognise
the benefit of employing a diverse workforce. All applicants are
considered on the basis of their merits and suitability for the job
and all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be
invited for interview.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:32
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 17, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-20-32-031
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