Generic Job Description

Conservation Assistant I

Grade B


  Representative Duties:

• Disbinds, binds, and repairs material according to specified standards.
• Treats paper by such methods as cleaning and mending according to specified standards.
• Prepares and mats material for exhibition.
• Sets up, operates, maintains and assembles machinery. Makes minor repairs. Uses and maintains tools and equipment.
• Mixes and works with solutions used in the conservation process.
• Compiles and collects records.
• Performs technical functions incidental to conservation activities.
  Family: Technical Support
  Job Code: 748 Date: 2/89

  The job duties listed above are representative and characteristic of the duties required and the level of the work performed in the job title. The duties will vary from incumbent to incumbent in the job title.
  

Back to Top

Yale University Clerical and Technical Job Description
Job: 748 Conservation Assistant Grade B

Required Knowledge:

• General knowledge, high school level; detailed but narrow work-related knowledge.
• Working knowledge of craft or trade.
• Limited acquaintance with University organizational policies and procedures.

Required Skills:

• Copies data from standard or easily understandable formats.
• Uses a dictionary.
• Files already labeled material using a straightforward alphabetical, numerical or chronological system.
• Understands non-routine notes, written instructions, general policy statements.
• Writes short, informal notes, fills out simple forms.
• Occasional use of machines that require little training to operate.
• Performs one or several simple laboratory or scientific procedures that require some training but that can be reversed or duplicated inexpensively; records results as necessary.

Office and Administrative Skills:

• Not applicable.

Experience, Education and Formal Training:

• Two years of related work experience and a high school level education, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Complexity and Organization:

• Wide variety of complicated job tasks requiring coordinating numerous processes/methods.

Interpersonal Relations:

• Little or no involvement outside immediate unit.

Supervisory Guidelines:

• Work is subject to general review on an occasional basis.
• Supervisor and incumbent plan, assign and schedule work jointly.
• Instruction provided in all new situations, methods and procedures.

Independent Judgment:

• Established procedures/policies govern most work situations.
• Occasional exercise of independent judgment or initiative.
• Problems solved by choosing solutions from among several alternatives that are not necessarily governed by established procedures.

Leadership Responsibility:

• Occasionally provides general orientation to routine procedures/policies.

Impact and Consequence of Error:

• Work affects outside immediate work unit, but rarely outside the University.
• Errors are not difficult to recognize and correct and only affect own work.

Working Conditions:

• Ongoing possibility of safety risks.
• Stable and predictable.
• Regular sustained concentration.
• Considerable physical effort or a high degree of fine finger or hand dexterity.
  

Back to Top

Example 1Conservation Assistant I (748)
Salary: B

General purpose:
Under the close supervision of the Chief Conservator, carries out basic conservation and rehousing procedures. Performs basic book and paper repair and minor conservation treatments, following detailed procedures.Essential duties:
1. Makes a variety of protective cases, including phase boxes, clamshell boxes and portfolios.
2. Disbinds, binds, repairs and/or restores bindings.
3. Treats paper by cleaning, deacidifying and mending.
4. Protects flat paper with mylar encapsulation, matting and foldering.
5. Keeps written and computer records and statistics of work performed.
6. Mixes and applies solutions used in the conservation of library materials.
7. Works with and maintains tools and equipment used for bookbinding and conservation; such as hand tools, bookpresses, boardshears, guillotine
and ultasonic welder.
8. Performs technical functions incidental to conservation activities.
9. Performs other duties as required.Experience and training:
1. Two years of directly relevant work experience and a high school level education or the equivalent combination of experience and education.
2. Preferred: Experience in bookbinding or book repair.Skills and abilities:
1. Good manual dexterity.
2. Patience with delicate, sometimes repetitious work and ability to accurately follow detailed procedures.
3. References must indicate reliable attendance and punctuality, attention to detail and diligent performance.

Back to Top