Job Description

T he 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.

The Folger Shakespeare Library,locatedon Capitol Hill in Washington, DC,seeks a skilled conservation professional to lead the long-term care and treatment of its world-renowned collection as the 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 areintegratedinto institutional planning.

The Head of Conservation and Preservation manages theGundersheimerConservation Lab and leads a dedicated team of four conservators.They oversee and complete complex treatments,establishpreservation priorities, guide preventive strategies, and serve as a key advisor on loans, exhibitions, storage planning, and emergency preparednessThey alsorepresentthe 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-onexpertisein book and paper conservation, a strong grounding in material science, and experience managing conservation teams and cross-departmental workflows in a museum or library settingThey 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 willdemonstratea 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 berequiredfor 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 longerrequiresmasks 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 asalaried positionwith an annual pay of $90,000-$100,000.

• Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, includingfully-coveredhealth, dental, and vision insurance for the individual and a generous 403b contribution and match, outlined athttps://www.folger.edu/employee-benefits

Supervisory Duties:The Head of Conservation and Preservation supervises four full-time conservators including a Preventive Conservator andthree Book and Paper Conservators, one of whom is focused on exhibitions.Additionally, this role may oversee any relevant contracted staff or conservation fellows.

Duties:

Conservation and Preservation

• Leads both treatment and preventive care for the Folger’s collections including printed books, manuscripts, paintings, works of art on paper,objectsand textiles.

• Provides expert analysis and recommendations to support long-term preservation, with a strong emphasis on preventive strategies such as environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, and risk mitigation across all spaces where collections are stored, accessed,exhibited, digitized, or transported.

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

• Ensures that treatment reports and conservation documentation aremaintainedand updated as new conservation processes occur.

• Performs risk assessment andestablishespriorities for preserving the collection in all areas where the collectionresidesor moves, including incoming and outgoing loans and allcollectionsstorage.

• 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.

Administration and Strategic Planning

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

• Works toestablishand implement conservation and preservation priorities and workflows. Works cross-departmentally to address high-priority needs and ensure cohesive preservation strategies across the organization.

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for all conservation and preservation activities, ensuring alignment with AIC (American Institute for Conservation) guidelines and institutional priorities.

• Serves as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the conservation and preservation program and its staff,representingtheir priorities, practices, and policies to internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Contributes to space planning andcollectionstorage initiatives.

• Makes recommendationsregardingupgrades and acquisitions of new equipment for the conservationlaboratory.

• Identifies, pursues, and oversees grant-supported conservation initiatives and projects.

Loan Oversight

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

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

• Coordinates the preparation of items for loan to other institutions, including the arrangement andlogisticsof 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.

Staff Leadership and Training

• Supervises andmentorsconservation and preservation staff, conducts annual performance reviews, and supports staff development.

• Fosters a healthy, inclusive work environment and encourages collaborative decision-making within a small, team-based setting.

• Oversees the conservationinternprogram, ensuring that training aligns with professional standards and institutional goals, and that interns receive a comprehensive, high-quality experience.

• Ensures or provides education and training in conservation and preservation techniques, and regular instruction in safe handling, emergency response, and preventive care, including onboarding sessions and refresher workshops.

Cross-Team and External Collaboration

• Advises and consults with Collections division staff on all matters related to the handling, care, storage, display, treatment, and transportation of Folger collections.

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

• Representsthe Folger in conservation andpreservationmatters through external partnerships and professional engagement.

• Engages with diverse audiences byparticipatingin public programs, tours, and demonstrations to communicate the mission and work of theGundersheimerConservation Lab.

• Establishes and advises on handling guidelines for staff andresearchersfacilitatingcontinued access to collections andparticipatesin reading room duties as needed.

• Participates in committees, institutional initiatives, and performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate-level degree/certificate from an accredited conservation program, Master ofArtsor Science in Conservation, Master’s in Library and Information Sciencewith a certificate in conservation, or equivalent education, training/experiencerequired

• Minimum of 10-12 years post-graduate experience in book and paper conservation at progressively advanced levels of responsibilityrequired

• Minimum of 3-5 years of management experience, including leading teams with varied skill sets and levels ofexpertisewithin a museum, library, or related cultural institution.

• Minimum of 3-5 years managing a conservation lab.

• Demonstrated advancedexpertisein conserving books, paper-based materials, manuscripts, realia, and works of art on paper.

• Demonstrated experience in bench work and the treatment of objectsrequired

• Strong experience and competency in advanced technical equipment related to conservation documentation, such as computer database applications, and the photographic equipmentrequiredfor transmitted, UV, and IR imaging.

• Experience in exhibition preparation and installationrequired

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

• Public engagement/outreach experience is desirable.

Skills and Knowledge:

• A solid foundation in conservation ethics, material science, and book and paper history.

• Familiarity with environmental monitoring and analysis, lighting, pollutant mitigation, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, and their implementation within cultural institutions.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present professional and technical information to diverse audiences.

• Commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment and presenting innovative and pragmatic approaches to problem-solving

• Familiarity with museum exhibition and object storage practices, includingappropriate materialsand environmental considerations.

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

• Demonstrated use of logic and reasoning to determineappropriate courseof action, or alternative solutions for a variety of preservation/conservation problems.

• Ability to determineappropriate treatmentsand procedures needed to conserve an artifact, and to implement the most complex conservation treatments

• Demonstrated leadership skills in a team-oriented approach are essential.

• Requires excellent decision-making, leadership, managerial, organizational, and analytical skills to manage people, budgets, and resources effectively

• Ability to develop and oversee annual and project-based budgets,monitorvariances, andidentifypotential expenses and cost savings.

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

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

This joboperatesin 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 HVACsystem 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 andadditionalhours 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 tolift upto 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