Conservator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.
We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.
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Duties
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The Conservator position is located in the Conservation Division in the Preservation Directorate in Discovery and Preservation Services in the Library Collections and Services Group. The Directorate is responsible for the long-term, uninterrupted access to the Library's collections through a variety of preservation programs. The Conservation Division accomplishes the preservation of the Library's holdings - ranging from the General and Reference Collections to the rare and Special Collections - through a variety of activities including condition assessment; housing and conservation treatment of collection items; research and analysis of Library materials and their degradation; and providing consultation and outreach regarding conservation subject matters.
The Conservator duties have their foundation in the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Essential Competencies for Conservation, Preservation, and Scientific Analysis. The Foundational Competencies as well as the Practice Competencies for Conservation apply to all grade levels in this PD career ladder. In general, conservators are highly trained specialists who have developed a keen sense of judgement to evaluate collection (item) condition and determine the most effective treatment options based on an understanding of the chemical and physical composition of the Library's artifacts and collections, a background in the degradation processes that affect those materials, and a knowledge of the various methods to minimize or mitigate risk and stabilize or treat the Library's collections. The Conservator ensures the longevity and usefulness of the Library's Special Collections, their physical manifestations, the values they represent, and the information they contain; performs services that enable Library collections to be used safely for exhibition, digitization, research use, transportation, or permanent storage; and participates in Division-wide collection emergency response and recovery activities.
The Conservator plans and executes work based on broad-based knowledge, skills, and requisite training and experience and ensures that all work is performed according to the guidelines established by the Library of Congress and the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. Since this position requires access and use of high value and top tier collections to perform the work of the position, a Public Trust background investigation at the Moderate risk level will be required.
This position is considered the most senior of all non-supervisory Conservator positions. The incumbent is therefore expected to operate successfully in situations that require the highest level of independence, self-direction, and capability of addressing the most complex and/or unique challenges through research and innovation. Major projects pursued or led by the incumbent have a direct impact on the division or even the conservation field. At this level, the Conservator:
As the Conservator, you will:

• Address the conservation needs that pose unusual challenges and/or involve the Library's rarest or valuable collection items including custodial unit treasures and the Library's National Treasures.
• Survey and assesses Library collections that pose complex, multi-faceted, or unusual preservation challenges to determine condition and preservation needs through holistic collection assessment or representative sampling. Undertake or lead efforts and/or teams of Conservation Division staff to perform condition assessment of such collections. Through innovative efforts, modify existing tools or builds new tools to fit project needs to capture data.
• Draw on extensive exposure and experience in conservation and conservation research to successfully lead to the successful completion of complex projects that may involve additional staff, contractors, and or interns.
• Analyze lab protocols and workflows and determines approaches for operational improvement. In consultation with division management, leads innovative efforts to improve lab capabilities and increase workflow efficiencies.
• Communicate technical, conceptual, and philosophical issues clearly and effectively in written and non-written form to other professional peers, Library stakeholders, and the general public as part of collaboration, service, and advocacy. Regularly publish research or scholarly findings with papers that make a noted impact on the field's body of knowledge.
• Perform various other duties as assigned.

The position description number for this position is 426864.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a compflex; or flexitime; or maxiflex work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Conditions of Employment
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
When working in the laboratory environment, the employee is exposed to moderate risks and should exercise safety precautions when using chemicals or conservation equipment, such as using protective clothing or gear, such as masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, or shields.
Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of conservation treatment. **
Ability to research and analyze collections and materials to carry out conservation treatment and preventive conservation measures. **
Ability to provide consultation, outreach, and liaison services.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to provide training.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Additional information
Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.
The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.
Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.