Department: Library
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $55,000 – $67,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA06-Fiscal Year 2022-2023
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
July 9, 2023; Position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure consideration for the position, please include with your online application:
• a cover letter stating your interest and qualifications for the position, and
• a current resume, which includes dates of employment.
Department Summary
The University of Oregon is one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities and holds the distinction of a “very high research activity” ranking in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students representing all 50 states and nearly 100 countries. The University of Oregon is guided by a diversity framework that involves a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. In recent years, the university has increased the diversity of its student body while raising average GPAs and test scores for incoming students. The UO’s 295-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities in an arboretum-like setting within the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people.
The UO is located in Eugene, which is ranked as one of the top cities to visit in the Pacific Northwest. Eugene is a friendly and vibrant city of 157,000 with a wide range of cultural and culinary offerings, a pleasant year-round climate, and a community engaged in environmental and social concerns. Eugene is known for affordability , outdoor recreation and commitment to the arts. The campus is within easy driving distance of the Pacific Coast, the Cascade Mountains, and Portland.
Position Summary
As the Lead Conservator, you will work in a collaborative team environment under the direction of the Director of Special Collections and University Archives. Using your knowledge and expertise, you will plan, document, and perform complex item-level conservation treatments on both bound and unbound special and general collection materials, including rare books, manuscripts, prints, photographs, maps, and drawings on paper or parchment. You will also cultivate productive relationships and work in consultation with library collection managers and preservation staff to establish priorities for treatment. In this role you will work on unique and diverse special collections throughout the UO Libraries and provide professional advice and education to staff, interns, and other libraries and cultural heritage institutions in the region, as needed. Your awareness of current practices in conservation will be maintained through participation in relevant professional organizations and professional development.
Minimum Requirements
• Graduate degree in Library and Information Science/Studies, Fine Arts, Conservation, or equivalent advanced degree in a related field.
• Training from a recognized preservation/conservation program, or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years experience working as a professional library conservator in a preservation or conservation department in an academic, research, special library, or private conservation studio.
Professional Competencies
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex conservation treatment on general and special collections material.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, students, and campus professional colleagues in classroom instruction related to preservation and conservation.
• Experience with providing conservation advice or repair for external groups and developing innovative education and outreach programs on conservation.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills to work effectively with culturally diverse library constituents and colleagues, as well as local and regional communities.
• Excellent analytical skills; initiative and flexibility; organizational, time, and project management skills; experience with grants and/or fundraising efforts.
• Candidate should possess a strong commitment to excellence and demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a complex work environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly uses of book and archival collections and of current developments in the principles and practices of conservation of archives and special collections.
• Knowledge of the preservation and conservation of, and historical information about, unique and rare artifacts.
• Experience directing and assessing the work of others in a supervisory role.
• Experience with assisting in the planning and handling of items for exhibitions.
• Ability to compile departmental statistics and oversee supplies and equipment for conservation services.
• Demonstrated proficiency and capabilities with personal computers and software applications.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits .
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report .
Advertised: June 9, 2023 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: