Conservation Staff Assistant

• 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, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Performs conservation care and treatments on library materials in Penn State University Libraries' general and special collections. The primary assignment for this position will focus on the preservation and conservation needs of paper-based book and document collections at the University Libraries Conservation Centre, located four miles off campus.

Part-time, on-site: 24 hours/week. Monday-Friday between 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

• Performs specialized conservation and preventive treatment on book and archival materials based on provided training and previous knowledge.
• Constructs custom enclosures and protective housings for general and special collections.
• Carries out treatments according to established conservation and unit standards.
• Prepares condition assessments and reports for curators.
• Participates in department and Library outreach activities at the Conservation Centre, University Park campus, and Commonwealth campuses.
• Prepares materials for exhibition, including custom cradles and supports.
• Assists in preparing items for commercial binding and mass deacidification.
• Maintains supply inventories and prepares treatment materials (e.g. paste, adhesives).
• Researches new tools and methods to enhance conservation care.
• Follows safety protocols and maintains secure and clean workspaces.
• Supports additional tasks as needed such as environmental monitoring, pest management, disaster response, and activity tracking.

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent education and experience.
• Strong attention to detail and manual dexterity.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with dusty or mold-affected materials.
• Basic computer literacy (email, shared documents, data entry), particularly in a Microsoft Office environment.
• Commitment to creating and sustaining a welcoming work environment.

• Light physical effort, including packing and moving book trucks.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to work at a computer for long periods.

• Knowledge of library operations.
• Experience handling rare or special materials.
• Work experience in a library, museum, or cultural heritage institution.
• Relevant coursework (art history, chemistry, studio art, etc.).
• Digital photography and Adobe Creative Cloud skills.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter for consideration. Finalists will be required to provide references during the later stages of the selection process.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

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