Jobs

Position at Yale University – Program Engagement Conservator

Listing Start Date: April 17, 2025Expires: May 4, 2025n

Yale University Library seeks a collaborative and innovative Program Engagement Conservator to provide training and programming in support of the stewardship of the Library’s extraordinary collections. Yale University Library is made up of 500 staff, more than a dozen libraries and locations, vast physical collections, and extensive electronic resources. All these elements are animated and connected by technology and expertise in the service of teaching, learning, research, and practice. Yale Library’s unique collections, amassed over three centuries and widely used in teaching, are a distinctive feature of a Yale education, together with the collections of Yale’s museums.  

Position Focus 

The Program Engagement Conservator contributes to the library’s mission by fostering and enhancing highly effective communication and collaboration between Conservation & Exhibition Strategies and colleagues from across Yale University Library and the University as a whole. Working as a member of Conservation and Exhibit Services management team, the incumbent will act as a centralized resource for collections care in a large, complex, and dynamic environment, working with a diverse group of stakeholders. 

Major Responsibilities 

  1. Devises, implements, and presents a range of training for staff who work with collections to promote the core principles and best practices for collections stewardship. Liaises with internal and external stakeholders in developing and maintaining effective processes and training.  

  1. Assesses collections at various life-cycle points including acquisition, exhibition, class or reading room use, and digitization for special collections. Reviews processing plans, identifies preservation considerations, and contributes language to the plans as needed. Makes recommendations and/or referrals to other conservation units and Preservation Digital Strategies as appropriate. 

  1. Identifies and cultivates opportunities for outreach to and engagement with library staff, faculty, and students. 

  1. Provides preservation and conservation support for teaching with special collections materials. 

  1. Advises library staff on preservation/conservation questions and connects staff with other PCS department experts as appropriate. 

  1. Contributes to Conservation and Exhibition Services management team. Works closely and collaboratively with unit heads to create a seamless, coordinated, and effective comprehensive conservation program for the library’s collections. 

  1. Collaborates with Preventive Conservation to design and plan preservation assessments and collection surveys; and participates in data analysis and report writing. 

  1. Ensures that all work is documented in accordance with conservation ethics, professional standards, as well as departmental and University requirements. 

Required Qualifications 

  1. Master’s degree in Art/Museum Conservation or MLS with Advanced Certification in Conservation. 

  1. Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability. 

  1. Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion.  

  1. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing team environment. 

  1. Knowledge of current preventive conservation strategies and standards for care, handling, and storage of circulating and special collections, and a demonstrated ability to apply that knowledge to solve problems day-to-day and to meet long-term collections care challenges. 

  1. Demonstrated effectiveness in crafting recommendations and training for audiences with a wide range of preservation and conservation knowledge. 

  1. Demonstrated success fostering effective working relationships across multiple departments or divisions. Strong ability to lead with influence and to work with colleagues from a wide range of roles and backgrounds. 

  1. Expert ability to gather, organize and interpret data to support decision-making, policy setting and programmatic approaches. Strong computer skills and the ability to work in a full range of applications including word processing, collection management systems, spreadsheets, and databases. 

Preferred Qualifications 

  1. Experience in library and archives settings, including hands-on conservation treatment. 

  1. Knowledge of conservation principles for a wide variety of cultural heritage materials. 

  1. Demonstrated knowledge of chemistry, material science research related to conservation. 

  1. Interest in and/or basic understanding of digital preservation principles, as well as preservation imaging and reformatting. 

The successful candidate will be appointed to a Librarian 3 or 4 rank depending upon qualifications and experience. Ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html 

The expected hiring range for this position is $85,000 – $110,000. 

For consideration, please apply online here:  

https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25053&siteid=5248#jobDetails=1596823_5248 

Applications submitted by Sunday, May 4 will receive first consideration. We will hold virtual information sessions on Wednesday, April 23 at 1 pm ET and Thursday, May 1 at 10 am ET. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend. Link to the sessions: http://bit.ly/4bH469L