City and County of San Francisco

Under direction, the 3621 Library Conservation Technician II coordinates the Library’s Preservation program; supervises subordinate personnel; and performs conservation treatments on books and other library materials from the Library’s core collections, including the Library’s special collections and the City and County of San Francisco Archives.

Class 3621 Library Conservation Technician II is distinguished from class 3620 Library Conservation Technician I in that the former supervises the Preservation Unit and subordinate classes; whereas the latter performs conservation treatments on library materials.

Supervises subordinate library conservation technicians, and clerical and technical library personnel.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Oversees the activities of subordinate staff and interns in the Library Preservation Unit.
2. Oversees the Library’s commercial binding program, including the development of the bindery contract specifications according to the Library Binding Institute Standards and terminology; supervises quality control inspection for returned materials; and resolves any issues with bindery.
3. Coordinates workflow of incoming Library materials; evaluates materials to determine treatment.
4. Participates in emergency planning and training; is part of the Emergency Salvage Team; and leads the recovery of paper collections.
5. Orders and maintains supplies, materials, and equipment required for book repair and library materials conservation operations; authorizes payments on invoices for supplies and services.
6. Performs advanced conservation treatments on books, paper, and basic conservation photographs following established procedures and guidelines.
7. Compiles in-coming, out-going and bindery statistical data to track trends in bindery use; in departmental use; and staff productivity.
8. Monitors and reports environmental conditions.
9. Provides training in basic treatments to staff and interns; through demonstrations and hands-on training as needed.
10. Provides consultation services to other City Departments regarding conservation of paper based materials when appropriate.

Knowledge of: library systems and terminology; the role of the public library in the community; library databases and computer software applications; terminology, principles, and best practices in book and paper conservation; Library Binding Institute Standards and terminology; appropriate tools, materials, processes and methods used in book repair and book and paper conservation; paper-based disaster materials salvage; environmental and temperature-relative humidity issues.

Ability and Skill to: supervise subordinate staff, assign, and review the work of subordinates; perform book and paper conservation treatments; problem solve; participate in the disaster materials salvage following standard recovery procedures; follow oral and written instructions; give attention to detail and accuracy; safely operate specialized bindery equipment; deliver training and support to subordinates; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and interact, courteously and diplomatically with others.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Experience: 
Three (3) years of experience in the conservation of library books and paper, equivalent to the duties performed by class 3620 Library Conservation Technician I in the City and County of San Francisco.

Substitution:
Completion of a formal book binding or conservation program may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Possession an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Library Information Technology may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Demands extended periods of focus and concentration on each task. Exposure to chemicals and potentially hazardous tools and equipment.
PROMOTIVE LINES
From 3620 Library  Conservation Technician I
ORIGINATION DATE:	10/02/19
AMENDED DATE:
REASON FOR AMENDMENT	To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.
Business unit(s):	COMMN