1255 Outreach & Field Conservator – History Center
Full Time/Regular
History Center, St Paul, MN, US
Requisition ID : 1255
JOB TITLE: #1255 Outreach & Field Conservator – History Center
OPEN TO: This job is open to all applicants.
LOCATION: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St Paul, MN 55102-1906
SALARY: $4,389.00 monthly minimum
STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (2,088 annual hours) position.
BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program & Retirement program with employer contribution.
CLASSIFICATION: 14L Professional
HIRING MANAGER: State History Services Manager
POSTING DATE: March 6, 2019
DEADLINE DATE: March 27, 2019
TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.
DESCRIPTION: The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) seeks applicants to provide leadership for preventive conservation education, technical advice and assistance primarily to historical societies, museums, archives, libraries and state, county and local governments throughout Minnesota. A primary duty is to help these organizations make appropriate use of the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund grants that will assist them in preserving their collections.
SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) provide professional expertise related to the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund grants to applicants and Grants Office staff with regard to projects involving conservation practices and treatments; 2) formulate, develop and implement conservation technical advice and expertise for museums, libraries, archives, historical societies, and state, county and local governments throughout Minnesota; 3) advise, evaluate, and coordinate the adoption and implementation of, and training of staff and volunteers in, disaster plans for collections held in public trust; 4) maintain and revise a file of conservation and preservation supplies, vendors, and service providers to be made available as widely as possible throughout the state; and 5) respond to requests for technical information or assistance, orally and/or in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
● Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, museum studies or related field and six years field experience OR Master’s degree in conservation or closely related field plus three years field experience or equivalent.
● Extensive specialized knowledge of conservation theory and practice for books, paper, photographs, textiles, and three-dimensional objects, and other library, archive and museum materials.
● Highly developed interpersonal skills to negotiate, mediate and collaborate with a wide variety of people with diverse range of knowledge, skills, backgrounds, education, and interests.
● Ability and skills to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
● Ability to speak effectively to both large and small groups.
● Willingness to travel across the state, occasionally being away from home for consecutive days.
● Knowledge of and experience with a wide range of techniques and procedures of objects, textile, book and paper conservation, stabilization and restoration.
● Ability to discern subtle variations between objects and make appropriate recommendations of the various options so that the specific techniques and materials as well as the general approach is appropriate for the type of objects or collections, its age, condition and projected use; and the ability and willingness to involve and/or refer problems to other experts when prudent.
● Ability to teach conservation principles, preservation and conservation practices, and practical options not only to professional museum, archive and library personnel who are not conservators, but also to the public.
● Ability to organize work schedules, determine priorities and prepare reports so as to maintain high productivity, high quality and efficient flow or work.
● Creative skills and abilities to devise new programs and innovative ways to educate the public and staffs of museums, historical societies, archives and libraries about conservation and preservation so that objects in their possession or care are preserved to the maximum extent possible.
● Ability to influence others so that they adopt higher standards for collections care and treatment.
● Broad knowledge of analytical techniques and methods for the identification of materials and the evaluation of conservation treatments and materials.
● Broad knowledge of the concepts, equipment, and techniques used in the written and photographic documentation of conservation.
● Demonstrated ability to think imaginatively and problem solve.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
● Advanced degree in conservation plus three years field experience
● Demonstrated positive customer service skills.
● Proven ability to work diplomatically with individuals of diverse backgrounds and with diverse communities in Minnesota.
● Extensive specialized knowledge of practices and materials used in the proper handling, exhibition, and storage of the vast range of library, archives and museum collections.
● Management skills in planning, organizing, budgeting, and directing programs.
● Broad knowledge of the deterioration processes for both natural and man-made materials and inherent vice for prehistoric, historic and recent materials.
● Broad knowledge of the safe use, handling, and storage practices of laboratory equipment and materials, particularly hazardous and toxic chemicals.
Original posting / application information