Conservator

About the role

LAC Federal is seeking an experienced Contract Conservator to support a major federal cultural institution in preserving nationally significant rare books, manuscripts, and archival collections. The position involves performing professional conservation assessments, preventive and interventive treatments, documentation, and preservation activities that support digitization initiatives, rare collections, and long-term stewardship of cultural heritage materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional conservation assessments of rare books, manuscripts, pamphlets, and archival materials.
• Develop written treatment proposals for assigned collections in accordance with Smithsonian conservation standards.
• Perform preventive and interventive conservation treatments on bound and unbound library materials.
• Conduct conservation treatments including paper repair, board attachment, sewing repairs, surface cleaning, aqueous and non-aqueous treatments, stain reduction, humidification, flattening, and construction of custom protective enclosures.
• Prepare library materials for digitization while preserving original physical and bibliographic integrity.
• Produce comprehensive written treatment documentation and high-quality digital photographic documentation before, during, and after treatment.
• Collaborate with the Head of Book Conservation and Smithsonian digitization specialists.
• Maintain accurate project documentation using Smithsonian databases and documentation systems.
• Ensure all work complies with Smithsonian Libraries and Archives conservation standards and the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Code of Ethics.
• Prepare final treatment reports and project summaries documenting methodologies, materials used, project outcomes, and recommendations.
• Handle rare and historically significant library collections using appropriate preservation techniques.
• Participate in project planning meetings with Smithsonian technical staff and support successful completion of contract deliverables.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated recent experience providing conservation services of comparable scope and complexity, including work with special collections.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with bound materials, photographs, paper repair and treatment, and digital-image documentation.
• Technical competence in book and paper conservation, including assessment, treatment planning, preventive care, interventive treatment, and the construction of protective enclosures.
• Knowledge of professional conservation protocols and ability to perform work in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice and relevant Book and Paper Group and Photographic Materials Group guidance.
• Able to produce clear, detailed written and photographic treatment documentation and to work within established templates, databases, and collection-tracking systems.
• Able to collaborate with the conservation staff, follow approved treatment plans, and obtain authorization before changing treatment scope or methodology.
• Able to perform the work on-site in Landover, Maryland, during the required weekday business hours and complete the engagement within the stated period of performance.
• Able to pass the background investigation and complete security-awareness training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Conservation from a recognized graduate conservation program (or equivalent professional conservation education).
• Professional membership in the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
• Five or more years of post-graduate conservation experience.
• Experience conserving rare books dating from the 15th through 20th centuries.
• Experience supporting library or museum digitization initiatives.
• Experience treating parchment, vellum, leather, cloth, and alum-tawed bindings.
• Experience constructing custom archival housings and preservation enclosures.
• Experience with treatment of fire-, smoke-, water-, or mold-damaged collections.
• Experience working within research libraries, museums, archives, or special collections.
• Familiarity with digital asset documentation systems and collection management databases.
• Experience collaborating with curators, librarians, archivists, and digitization specialists.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple treatment workflows simultaneously.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform detailed, precision-based conservation work requiring prolonged periods of sitting or standing, sustained hand-eye coordination, fine motor dexterity, and repetitive use of hands and fingers to handle delicate and historically significant materials.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, or move archival materials, books, equipment, and storage containers weighing up to 25 pounds, and occasionally bend, reach, kneel, or climb a step stool to access collection materials and workspaces.
• Ability to work in a conservation laboratory and library environment, including the safe use of conservation tools, chemicals, adhesives, and solvents while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and following established safety protocols.