Preservation Technician

Preservation Technician

Posting Number: req
24421

Department: Special Collections

Location: Main Campus, Tucson, AZ USA

The Preservation Technician supports the preservation of the University of Arizona Libraries' Special Collections through preventative care, light conservation treatments, environmental monitoring, disaster planning and recovery, and preservation and conservation oversight in digitization process workflows. They also advise the Collections Services Department on preservation concerns for all UA Libraries' general collections. This position reports to the Collections Management Archivist/Unit Lead and is part of the Collections Management Unit.

The Preservation Technician ensures a consistent approach to our preservation activities and contributes to the ongoing development of the Libraries' preservation program for paper-based materials. They will also supervise student employees and lead staff who support preservation activities.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work‑life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please .

Preservation Management and Policy

• In collaboration with the Rare Books Librarian and the Collections Management Archivist, recommends, develops, and prioritizes treatment, preventive, and housing solutions for individual items and collections, focusing on bound and archival material.
• Participates in establishing policies, procedures, and guidelines for lifecycle management of collections—especially paper‑based and photographic formats—and for physical storage and care of collections.
• Works closely with the Public Services and Instruction Librarian to provide training for staff and students on handling of materials in Special Collections and develop guidance for handling materials in the reading room.
• Serves as a point person for questions related to proper storage, handling methods, and preservation of paper‑based material in both Special Collections and the general collection of the University of Arizona Libraries.
• Participates in outreach activities on preservation as needed.
• Supervises students and leads staff working in support of preservation activities.

Collections Environment

• Coordinates environmental monitoring and integrated pest management program for Special Collections in collaboration with UAL Facilities.
• Leads disaster preparedness and response process for Special Collections and participates in library‑wide disaster preparedness planning with Facilities and the Collection Services Department.
• Works closely with the Collections Management Archivist on stack maintenance and space issues.

Collections Care

• Treats and houses a broad range of rare library and archives materials with a full range of condition concerns, using a variety of techniques and materials, and manages outsourcing of preservation and conservation treatments as needed.
• Assesses treatment, handling, housing, and equipment needs for digitization, arrangement & description, and exhibition programs. Plans and conducts enclosure projects as needed for the exhibition program.
• Maintains statistics and documentation on preservation and conservation activities and works with staff to track loaned material.

Other Departmental Duties

• Provides reference services at the reading room desk weekly.
• Supports related strategic efforts in the department and Libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of preservation best practices including environmental concerns, disaster planning and recovery, and handling and treatment of materials.
• Ability to apply and adapt knowledge and skills to a variety of tasks.
• Knowledge of library services platforms and archival inventory applications.
• Knowledge of metadata schema.
• Excellent interpersonal and…