Senior Conservator​/Conservation Lab Supervisor

Tennessee Department of State
The Tennessee State Library & Archives

Mission: The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in a customer-centered environment.

Supervisor: Director of Preservation and Digital Services

Summary: The conservation supervisor acts as the senior conservator to oversee the operations of the Library & Archives’ conservation lab, which include conservation treatments, the creation of custom enclosures, housings, and supports, and monitoring of the environment and other preventive conservation duties to preserve the collections. The position supervises one technician, plans training and outreach programs, and manages a calendar of production in concert with the Director of Preservation and Digital Services and the Assistant State Archivist.

• Manages and supervises the conservation lab. Performs conservation treatments on archival and library collections, maintaining written and photographic documentation of all work. Designs and creates preservation storage housings and exhibit mounts/supports for collections.
• Recommends standards and procedures for the preservation, treatment, handling, storage and environmental protection of the collection. Maintains preventive conservation plan, including the integrated pest management system.
• Requisition s supplies and equipment for the laboratory; operates required equipment.
• Provides training and education for Library & Archives’ staff, as well as for staff of archives, libraries, and governmental agencies statewide on environmental control, disaster preparedness, housing, and care and handling of historical collections.
• Trains and supervises the work of assigned staff.
• Keeps conservation techniques up-to-date by establishing and maintaining working relationships with other conservation departments and/or conservators, as well as engagement with professional organizations, publications, and continuing education and research.
• Assists with emergency/disaster response planning and training.
• Performs other related work as required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of conservation and preservation practices and the materials, technology, and techniques associated with them. Knowledge of the materials, characteristics, and historic and current methods of manufacture of paper, photographs, and books.
• Experience as a conservator working with paper and photographs is required. Experience with books is preferred.
• Experience creating boxes, folders, supports, encapsulations, and other enclosures for the safe storage and display of collections.
• Familiarity and experience with appropriate exhibition and environmental standards for collections, emergency/disaster planning and response, and completing collection surveys.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with allied professionals, associates, public officials, private groups, and the public.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to draft and implement policies and procedures of the division.
• Applies sound analytical thinking to problem solving with equipment and supplies in a lab setting.
• Follows instructions given for health and safety purposes and immediately reports any unsafe working practices or hazardous working conditions.

• A master’s degree from a recognized graduate program in art conservation, specializing in paper, photographs, and/or library and archives.
• A minimum of two years of post-graduate experience performing conservation treatments and other preservation practices in a library, archives, special collection, or museum environment.

• Supervisory experience.

$60,000 annually plus the State of Tennessee Benefits Package.

Mid-Senior level

Full-time

Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

Government Administration