Conservation Technician, Office of the Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans

Conservation Technician Position
The Office of the Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans is seeking qualified individuals to perform general conservation treatment and perform condition surveys of archival collection materials.  This is a technical position following well established national conservation guidelines to evaluate the condition of archival materials and perform repair and preservation techniques to stabilize materials.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Candidate should have experience in book or paper conservation, experience using conservation tools, and knowledge of conservation equipment and handling techniques. Experience with digital photography is also desirable.
Candidate should be able to handle, humidify, flatten, and mend damaged and possibly moldy archival documents and bindings.  Minor to advanced book repair will be assigned and performed as needed.  Candidates should be able to create custom enclosures including phase boxes, “tuxedo boxes,” post bindings and additional unique housings as directed by supervisor.  Batching skills are necessary.
Conservation technicians must be highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work under pressure.  One must utilize excellent oral and written communication skills to interact with team members and to convey changes in scope of work that may affect multiple project deadlines.  Applicants must support the mission to preserve archival materials for public use and be able to perform quality control of in-house repairs and contracted library binding.  Technicians must have the ability to follow instructions and to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and the public.
Successful candidates have good time management skills, ability to multitask, ability to meet deadlines while organizing and prioritizing daily treatments in addition to compiling accurate statistics on work performed.  Technicians need to work independently and consult supervisors to resolve problems, set protocol and perform work as needed.  Candidates must have the ability to maintain and manage tools, equipment, and conservation supplies and to be flexible with changes in work location and tasks.
Training and Experience Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent needed, along with training in conservation or equivalent field.  Two years additional education preferred. Must be 18 years of age and degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
Physical requirement
The tasks demand the ability to work for long periods while standing, to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds and to perform repetitive activities.  Applicants must have excellent manual dexterity, be able to push book carts between building floors and be able to work in an environment with dust.
Preferred Requirement:  Experience working in a library or archive, awareness of archival terminology and functions and previous experience performing collection condition surveys and designing repairs is preferred.
The position is full time and salary is commensurate with experience.   Applicants send resume with cover letter to: Sally Reeves, Archivist,   (sreeves@orleanscdc.com).