Preservation Technician | Austin, TX

Job Posting Title: Preservation Technician, The Harry Ransom Center

Job Details:

General Notes The Harry Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings.

The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections.

Purpose Reporting to Head of Preventative Conservation, this position will: design and produce preservation housing structures for a variety of collection materials, advise curators on collection housing needs in consultation with conservators, assist with preservation activities including collection surveys and housing projects large and small, manage the procurement, tracking, and receipt of preservation supplies, and maintain workspaces and supplies storage.

Duration Expected to Continue

Responsibilities

· Handle fragile and rare materials to capture accurate measurements and assess their condition. Produce preservation housing structures for a variety of rare and unique collection materials, either by hand or with a computerized mat cutter. Creatively adapt preservation best practices to varied situations, shelving, and handling requirements. Assist with incoming inspections of new acquisitions.

· Manage the inventory of preservation supplies for the Ransom Center, including liaising with other Ransom Center divisions with regard to supply needs/inventories as well as with vendors to obtain product information and cost estimates. Create supply orders; liaise with the Center’s Business Office on select purchase; receive, unpack, and store supply shipments using powered equipment; track costs across multiple budget lines.

Preferred Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in studio art, background involving technical hand skills, and/or experience in Preservation at a cultural heritage institution.

· Office management capabilities and experience with Excel spreadsheets.

· Experience with matting and framing, or with computerized fabrication devices such as CMC.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Salary Range $43,160 non-negotiable.

Working Conditions

· Moderate physical activity.

· Requires handling of objects up to 50lbs and use of pallet jacks and other powered assistive equipment for moving supplies.

· Standing or walking may occur up to 50% of the time.

Work Shift

· Regular M-F work shift.

Required Materials

· Resume/CV

· 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.

· Letter of interest

For further information and to apply for the position, please see the full job posting: https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/UT-MAIN-CAMPUS/Preservation-Technician--The-Harry-Ransom-Center_R_00036381