Corpus Christi College
Cambridge
Job Description
Job Title:
Book and Manuscript Conservator
Responsible to:
Managing Conservator
Purpose of Job:
Conservation and preservation of library and archive
materials; assisting in the smooth running and
maintenance of the Conservation studio.
Location:
Conservation Centre, Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge
Duties & Responsibilities:
1.
The postholder will be required to undertake practical conservation and preservation
work relating to paper and parchment books and manuscripts and archives primarily
for the colleges of the Cambridge Colleges’ Conservation Consortium and associate
members.
2.
The postholder will work as part of a small team but also be able to work on their
own initiative. Assistance in overseeing the work of junior members of staff, workplacement students and volunteers is also required.
3.
The postholder will assist in both planning the work of the conservation team and
ensuring that the conservation work of the team is of high quality and conforms to
current conservation practice.
4.
The postholder will assist in the smooth running of the Conservation studio including
the ordering of conservation materials on a regular basis and overseeing the
maintenance of all the conservation workshop equipment.
5.
The postholder will assist with the workshop’s Emergency Preparedness Plan and
will ensure it is updated and reviewed annually.
6.
Record-keeping and the compilation of detailed reports are essential requirements
and the postholder will be able to undertake these on their own initiative. A working
knowledge of Office applications and photography is required.
7.
The postholder will be required to advise on all aspects of conservation and
preservation and to participate in teaching seminars and the delivery of papers
relating to the work of the department. Continuing Professional Development will be
encouraged and the postholder will take part in relevant seminars, courses and other
developmental opportunities in consultation with the Managing Conservator.
8.
The postholder will have a working knowledge of the current COSHH regulations,
Health and Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation relating to safe working
practices.
9.
The postholder will assist in the preparation and delivery of the Annual Report to the
Consortium members at the annual meeting.
JD Book and Manuscript Conservator 2015
10.
This job description is an outline of the main aspects of the role but is not intended to
be exhaustive and the postholder will undertake other related tasks from time to time
after discussion with the Managing Conservator.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Education/Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience
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Accreditation
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Skills/Abilities
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Personal Qualities/
Attributes
Physical/Special
Requirements
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Desirable Criteria
Relevant qualification in book,
paper and parchment
conservation.
3 to 5 years’ experience of
book, paper and parchment
conservation practice
Good working knowledge of
preservation issues.
Knowledge of health and
safety procedures.
Accreditation to the Institute of
Conservation, working towards
accreditation, or prepared to
begin working towards
accreditation.
Excellent hand skills.
Good organisational skills,
diplomacy and
professionalism.
Good computer skills including
a working knowledge of Office
applications.
Photographic skills.
Excellent communication skills
at all levels.
Ability to work as part of a
small team.
The role requires a high
percentage of close up
technical work and high levels
of concentration.
Issued by Department Head

Ability to handle
several
conservation
projects at a time.
……………………………………Name
……………………………………Signature
…………………………………….Date
Accepted and Understood by Postholder
………………………………….Name
…………………………………….Signature
…………………………………….Date
This job description will be reviewed periodically when additions and amendments may be made.
JD Book and Manuscript Conservator 2015