Reparative Collections Conservator

UVA Library is seeking a Reparative Collections Conservator in the Preservation Services department of Special Collections and Preservation Unit for a two-year position beginning in September 2025. The position is aimed at early career conservators, especially those entering the job market for the first time in fall/summer 2025.

The Reparative Conservator will focus on the conservation and preservation of materials, emphasizing reparative work that supports the circulating collections and the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. This includes prioritizing items that highlight local history and amplify the voices and stories of underrepresented populations in the library and archives. Responsibilities will also include treatments such as mending, flattening, rebinding, and adhesive removal, as well as supporting exhibitions, digitization, and rush workflows for circulation.

The Reparative Conservator will be supervised by the Conservator for Special Collections but will work closely with the rest of the Preservation Services team as well on a variety of projects and tasks that support the Unit's mission of preserving all of UVA Library's collections for future generations of users. The successful candidate in this position recognizes the importance of reparative work in this field and strives to create equitable and thoughtful practices within cultural heritage conservation.

About the University of Virginia Library: The University of Virginia was conceived with a library at its heart, placed in the Rotunda at the head of the Academical Village. Today, the UVA Library's original purpose remains unchanged: to provide access to accumulated knowledge and, in so doing, increase it - in short, to advance learning.

The Library is here to ensure that the University community has the information it needs for teaching, research, and personal enjoyment and enrichment. Regularly ranked in the top quartile of ARL libraries, UVA Library has six locations, more than 220 staffers, and more than 100 student employees. Staff members support a collection that includes more than 20 million manuscripts and archive materials, 4.8 million books, 4.5 million e-books, and hundreds of thousands of journal subscriptions. Additionally, as a major research institution, the Library regularly collaborates with professional organizations such as the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), Virginia Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and others.

The University of Virginia Library is committed to a culture of mutual respect, civility, inclusiveness, cooperation, mindfulness, accountability, and acceptance of individual differences. Departments and individuals are expected to work together, both in professional collaborations and in creating a culture where all can thrive. Library staff enjoy generous benefits for use of Library materials and professional development, in addition to UVA's standard benefits package.

UVA is located in beautiful Charlottesville with easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains; Richmond; Washington, D.C.; and the Eastern Shore. Charlottesville is a vibrant town with culture, music, numerous restaurants, excellent schools, and countless outdoor activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master in Art Conservation OR MLIS from ALA Accredited program OR relevant graduate degree required by start date. A bachelor's degree and 4 years relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.Preferred Qualifications:
• Master in Art Conservation is highly preferred.
• Experience working with or underneath a professional conservator for 2+ years.
• Strong foundation in General and Organic Chemistry, Conservation Ethics.
• Experience working in an Academic Research Library and desire to work in this field in the future.
• Has shown prior dedication to reparative conservation practice.The UVA Library supports career development and provides opportunities for both formal and informal training as part of professional development. We are interested in reviewing candidates with a broad range and combination of experiences, education, and qualifications. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic workplace, so if you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Hiring Salary: $60,000.

Review of applicants will begin February 10, 2025. Priority will be given to applications received by review date.

This is a restricted, two-year term limited position. Term continuation will be dependent on availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment per university policy.

References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

TO APPLY: Please apply through Careers at UVA, and search for R0068758. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by accessing the Jobs Hub app. Applicants must complete an application online with the following documents:

• Cover letter to include your interest in the position and your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences
• CV/Resume***Please note that you MUST upload ALL documents into the CV/Resume box. Applications that do not contain all of the required documents will not receive full consideration. ***

For questions about the application process, please contact Karon Harrington, Academic Talent Recruiter, [email protected] or Sue Donovan, Hiring Manager, [email protected].

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see Charlottesville & Beyond and Embark Central Virginia.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This job requires lifting boxes occasionally, as well as lifting oversize items. May encounter dust, mold, and or mildew in the course of preserving collections.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.

The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.