Associate Conservator, Center for Creative Photography

The Center for Creative Photography (CCP), established in 2012, is overseen by the Arthur J. Bell Associate Photograph Conservator and operates with support from an endowment created by the Arthur J. Bell Foundation.

The Center for Creative Photography is accepting applications for the position of Associate Conservator (Conservator IV). The Associate Conservator develops and implements a program to conserve and preserve the Center's photograph and archival collections. The incumbent is expected to participate fully in the work of the Center to fulfill its mission and to maintain the highest standards of professional practices in the field.

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!

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• Oversee operations of the Center's Conservation Laboratory.
• Create a staffing plan for the department; recruit/hire, train, and supervise conservators, technicians, fellows, and interns (as funding allows).
• Design and implement training and mentoring programs.
• Set priorities, direct workflow, monitor quality and productivity.
• Conduct reviews of and provide care for individual photographic and archival materials in the collection, as well as those presented for acquisition, travel, study, and exhibition.
• Conduct examinations, produce condition reports, and perform chemical and materials analyses, as well as a wide range of conservation treatments, including both single-item and mass treatments.
• Limit detrimental effects on photograph and archival materials in the Center's care.
• Maintain the preventive conservation program at the Center, which includes environmental monitoring for relative humidity, temperature, and illumination levels as well as integrated pest management.
• Monitor air quality found in storage spaces and employ material standards for the display, handling, storage, and transport of photographs and collection materials, as well as review and develop object handling policies and procedures for staff and researchers.
• Collaborate in a team-based organization to develop overall Center priorities, policies, guidelines, project plans, and grant proposals..
• Develop and maintain the CCP emergency/disaster response plan, acting as a backup contact for facilities emergencies, as well as expanding the general preservation program to cohere with current needs and future goals of the Center.
• Serve on committees as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate across organizational structures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history of photography.
• Demonstrable ability in innovative thinking and solution-driven decision making.
• Strong computer skills: expert facility with collection management systems, spreadsheets, word processing, file-sharing platforms, and presentation software.
• Ability and determination to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work a range of age groups, learning styles, educational needs, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to form mutually respectful, trusting, and effective relationships with a different group of staff, community members, leaders, and decision makers.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Master's degree in art conservation from a recognized art conservation training program with a specialization in photograph conservation or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience; of which five years should be as a photograph conservator demonstrating a record of excellent analysis, treatment procedures, and care for all types of photographic materials and archival collections current with the state-of-the art and approved as standard practice.

• Experience with project management, supervisory, and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience of museum practices in the related fields of collections care and management, particularly in the area of low-temperature storage for photographic archives.
• Experience leading and managing photograph preservation projects and working with large, diverse photograph collections.
• Experience developing and managing budgets and goals.
• Experience writing successful grant applications.
• Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills.