Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
30/07/2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Conservator
Academic Unit/Service:
Library Special Collections
Faculty:
Library
Career pathway:
MSA
Level:
4
*ERE category:
Posts responsible to:
Senior Conservator (MSA 5)
Posts responsible for:
Some supervision of up to 3x MSA 2a/b and 3x MSA 1b library assistant posts
Post base:
Office-based
Job purpose
To provide professional knowledge and expertise for the conservation of the Library’s Special Collections
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Provide professional knowledge and expertise to undertake conservation work on the
collections
70
2.
Carry out research and treatment development as determined by conservation,
preservation, and collection access priorities
5
3.
Ensure the proper implementation of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
and other H&S regulations within own work area
5
4.
Contribute to the management of Special Collections through monitoring of environmental 5
conditions and assistance in emergency planning
5.
Assist in promoting and exploiting the collections, including exhibition work, participation
in lectures, demonstrations and conferences
5
6.
Keep up to date with professional developments and participate in appropriate
professional activities to support service developments and innovation
5
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
7.
5
Supervision of library assistants in preservation work
(Other duties as requested by the Librarian)
Internal and external relationships
Liaison with internal and external groups, both organisational and individuals, to deliver conservation
services, promote the exchange of information and bring in best practise.
Links with colleagues within the library on all sites to provide conservation and preservation services
Special Requirements:
Computer literacy
Physically active and able to move and lift collections
Handling documents in a poor state of preservation and with mould and water damage
Working as part of a team in a secure environment
Evening and weekend work in line with site practice
Hartley, but the right is reserved to redeploy staff throughout the University Library system
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
Degree, postgraduate qualification or
equivalent in conservation
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Certificate
Accredited status
Planning to apply for accreditation
CV, interview,
references
Specialism in nineteenth- and
Expertise in working with a full range twentieth-century materials
of archive materials
Proven experience of planning and
progressing work activities in
conservation
Planning &
organising
Own workload; conservation tasks
and logistics
Interview,
references
Problem solving
& initiative
Able to apply knowledge to analysis
and resolve complex problems and
recommend solutions / plans of
actions.
Interview,
references
Management &
teamwork
To work as part of a team in a secure
environment
Interview,
references
To supervise library assistants in
preservation and exhibition work
Communicating
& influencing
Document1
Good interpersonal skills;
communication with University staff
and external readers, presentational
skills
Interview,
references
2
Other skills &
behaviours
A very high level of manual dexterity
with the ability to treat extremely
fragile and delicate materials, and to
observe fine detail and be able to
maintain high levels of concentration
over long periods of time.
Interview,
references
Special
requirements
To work as part of a team in a secure
environment
CV, interview,
references,
medical
declaration
Computer literacy
Physically active and able to move
and lift collections
Handling documents in a poor state
of preservation and with mould and
water damage
Document1
3
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☐ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☒ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of
VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
x

Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Document1
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