Textile Conservation Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Job Description:
The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, seeks a skilled conservation professional to lead the long-term care and treatment of its world-renowned collection as our next Eric Weinmann Head of Conservation and Preservation. This individual, reporting to the Associate Librarian for Collections Care and Development, oversees the Collections Division's Conservation and Preservation program, including the strategic leadership for the safeguarding of printed books, manuscripts, paintings, works on paper, realia, and textiles across all spaces where collections are stored, displayed, used or transported. Working closely with colleagues across Collections and Exhibitions and throughout the institution, the Head of Conservation and Preservation ensures that Folger's collections receive the highest standards of care and that both traditional and emerging preservation practices are integrated into institutional planning.
The Head of Conservation and Preservation manages the 2000-square foot Gundersheimer Conservation Lab and leads a team of four conservators. They complete complex treatments, establish preservation priorities, guide preventive strategies, and serve as a key advisor on loans, exhibitions, storage planning, and emergency preparedness. They also represent the team to external partners, support grant-funded conservation initiatives, and contribute to public engagement and professional dialogue.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished conservation professional with deep hands-on expertise in book and paper conservation, a strong grounding in material science, and experience managing conservation teams and cross-departmental workflows in a museum or library setting. They will bring proven experience in exhibition preparation and installation, including the ability to confidently offer guidance and make decisions. They should demonstrate highly refined manual skills and sound judgement concerning conservation treatment and exhibition display. They are an effective communicator and team builder who fosters a respectful, healthy work environment and thrives in a small, collaborative, cross-departmental setting. Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for mentoring and developing staff. They will have strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate schedules, budgets, and documentation across stakeholders.
The standard schedule for this role is Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:45pm. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required for special projects. This position is onsite. The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date.
Health & safety: The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. The Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in the case of any health issues that arise.
Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as they are able.
Compensation:

• This is a salaried position with an starting annual pay of $110,000-$115,000.

• Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including fully-covered health, dental, and vision insurance for the individual and a generous 403b contribution and match, outlined at https://www.folger.edu/employee-benefits.

Supervisory Duties: The Head of Conservation and Preservation supervises four full-time conservators including a Preventive Conservator and three Book and Paper Conservators, one of whom is focused on exhibitions. This role works with the Conservation team to oversee Conservation interns and fellows, ensuring that training aligns with professional standards and institutional goals, and that interns receive a comprehensive, high-quality experience. Additionally, this role may oversee any relevant contracted staff.
Duties:
Conservation and Preservation

• Leads and performs treatments for the Folger's collections including printed books, manuscripts, paintings, works of art on paper, objects and textiles.

• Conducts risk assessments and sets preventive care priorities across all spaces where collections are stored, accessed, exhibited, digitized, transported, or loaned.

• Oversees and performs complex conservation treatments, focusing on strategic decisions, quality assurance, and thorough, up-to-date documentation following best practices and digital preservation standards.

• Serves as the primary liaison with external preservation and conservation services.

• May conduct research and contribute to the field through writing, presentations, and professional engagement.

• Leads training in conservation and preservation techniques including safe handling, emergency response, and preventive care through onboarding sessions and refresher workshops.

• Establishes handling guidelines and serves as primary advisor to staff and researchers on all aspects of collection care including storage, display, treatment, and transport.

• Supports Exhibition development and installation process, working closely with conservators, curators, exhibition staff, and other project partners to advise on object selection, treatment, mounting, lighting, and safe display to minimize risk to collection materials. Directs Conservation staff in exhibition object preparation, mount making, and installation.

Loan Oversight

• Serves on the Loan Committee, advising on treatment needs and preservation conditions for outgoing loans.

• Oversees the preparation, safe handling, risk management, and logistics of loan materials, including documentation, packing, and transport.

• Oversees the care and handling of artifacts lent by other institutions for Folger exhibitions, in collaboration with Exhibitions staff, including the unpacking on site and preparation for return.

Management and Administration

• Manages the conservation and preservation program, including departmental planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.

• Establishes and guides conservation and preservation priorities and workflows, ensuring alignment with AIC (American Institute for Conservation) guidelines and institutional priorities, working cross-departmentally to address high-priority needs.

• Serves as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the conservation and preservation program, representing its priorities, practices, and policies to internal stakeholders, institutional partners, and the broader field.

• Contributes to space planning and collection storage initiatives.

• Reviews, approves, and prioritizes recommendations regarding upgrades and acquisitions of new equipment for the conservation laboratory.

• Identifies, pursues, and oversees grant-supported conservation initiatives in consultation with the Development team and Conservation staff.

• Participates in committees, institutional initiatives, public programs, tours, and demonstrations, and performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate degree from an accredited conservation program (MA, MS, or equivalent certificate) or an MLIS with conservation training; equivalent combination of education, training, and experience considered.

• 10+ years experience in book and paper conservation.

• 3+ years of management experience, including direct oversight of a conservation lab and staff with varied skill levels in museum, library, or related cultural institution.

• Advanced expertise in conserving books, paper-based materials, manuscripts, realia, and works of art on paper, including direct bench work and hands-on treatment at advanced levels.

• Proficiency in advanced conservation documentation systems and photographic equipment for transmitted, UV, and IR imaging.

• Experience in exhibition preparation and installation.

• Experience training staff, fellows, or interns is desirable.

• Public engagement/outreach experience is desirable.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Deep grounding in conservation ethics, material science, and book and paper history.

• Working knowledge of environmental monitoring, lighting, pollutant mitigation, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), with experience implementing these within a cultural institution.

• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to build collaborative teams, exercise sound professional judgement, and make complex decisions about people, budgets, and resources.

• Familiarity with museum exhibition and object storage practices, including appropriate materials and environmental considerations.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and execute complex, multi-stakeholder projects requiring professional judgement and coordination.

• Ability to develop and oversee annual and project-based budgets, monitor variances, and identify potential expenses and cost savings.

• Familiarity with digital tools such as Outlook, Excel, Word, Airtable, FileMaker Pro, Adobe Creative Suite.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
This job operates in a professional conservation lab environment. The employee may be exposed to various components of a lab environment, such as fluorescent and LED lighting, recycled air, cooling fans, semi-enclosed areas, and central HVAC system. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Normal work week is Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:45pm. Ability to work varying and additional hours as project demands arise (including evenings and weekends as needed).

• Open working environment; noise levels are low to moderate, and include sound from vacuum table, vacuum cleaner, fume hoods, and colleagues speaking via phone or videoconferencing.

• Ability to lift up to 40lbs unaided.

• Use of chemicals according to OSHA requirements.

• Capacity to communicate, in person or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods, in a manner which can be understood by others.

• Occasional travel; this individual serves as a courier.

Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please.
The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To learn more about our benefits, please click here.