Sustainable Preservation Specialist

8520BR

College of Art and Design

CAD Image Permanence Institute

Job Summary

Please note:
This position requires a willingness to travel frequently, both nationally and internationally. The candidate must have an up-to-date passport, a valid driver’s license, and be able and willing to drive and fly as needed.

The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) in the College of Art and Design (CAD) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is pleased to announce its opening for a Sustainable Preservation Specialist. The Sustainable Preservation Specialist supports professionals working in collecting institutions (archives, libraries, and museums) with environmental monitoring and sustainable preservation practices. They serve as a consultant to collecting institutions on basic environmental monitoring and data analysis, advise on logger placement in collection storage and exhibition spaces, and provide instruction on the use of IPI’s data management and analysis software, eClimateNotebook. The successful candidate may have a background in collections care, preventive conservation, environmental sustainability, or mechanical system operations. IPI will support mentoring and professional development to ensure a comprehensive background in sustainable preservation practices and topics. For instance, a candidate with a mechanical system operations background will be asked to develop a deep understanding of material preservation, the impact of temperature and humidity on the rate of material decay, and related preservation topics. Whereas a candidate with a preventive conservation background will be expected to develop a deep understanding of mechanical system design and operation, mechanical system analysis and energy-saving opportunities. The Sustainable Preservation Specialist will also collaborate with IPI colleagues in operations, research and education roles to contribute to fee-for-service, product development, education, and research activities. This posting is for a 2-year contract with the potential for extension.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage consultations with collecting institutions on basic preservation environmental monitoring and data analysis, advise on logger placement in collection storage and exhibition spaces, and provide instruction and technical support to IPI customers on the use of IPI’s data management and analysis software, eClimateNotebook.
• Deliver education and training programs related to IPI’s research, including topics in preventive conservation, mechanical system operations, risk management, and sustainable preservation practices. Presentation methods will include webinars, conference presentations, educational resources and symposium/conference exhibition tables.
• General IPI activities including meetings, project planning, documentation, and training activities.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Master's degree in Conservation, Preservation Administration, Library Science, Archives Management, Museum Studies, Environmental Sustainability, Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Willingness to develop content expertise in the allied fields related to sustainable preservation practices outside the candidate’s primary area of study
• Strong interest in managing collections environments for preservation
• Ability to work with and understand the role of collection management, preservation, facility management, and administrative staff in small to large collecting institutions, and to be a liaison between these groups as necessary

​​​​​​​Skills:

• ​​​​​​​Strong analytical skills
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation in a variety of software applications
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, good overall project management skills
• Ability to develop good working relationships with a range of people and skill levels
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in teams
• Development of expertise in the use of environmental loggers, IPI’s Preservation Metrics, eClimateNotebook data management software, and environmental data analysis methods is expected

PLEASE NOTE: The individual hired for this position will be required to have a pre-employment Motor Vehicle check, and the Motor Vehicle Report must clear 

RIT's Safe Driving Policy

. (See Page 4)

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-3 years of relevant work experience in a museum, library, archive, or other collecting institution
• Previous teaching, or outreach activities
• Previous experience partnering with mechanical system and/or HVAC engineers, and project leadership in environmental management

Required Minimum Education Level

MS, MA

Work Location

Henrietta Campus — 100%

Employment Category

Fulltime

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, List of References

What do we believe at RIT?

Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.

As a member of the RIT community, you'll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).

Department/College Description

THE DEPARTMENT:
The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) is a research center in the College of Art and Design dedicated to supporting the preservation of cultural heritage collections in libraries, archives, and museums around the world. IPI achieves its mission through applied research, the development of practical preservation resources and tools, professional-level education and training programs, and through consulting and materials testing services. IPI resides in a 7,000 square foot space in the Gannett building of the College of Art and Design and staff members include preservation research scientists, environmental management specialists, a materials testing researcher, web application and publication designers, and business operations personnel, https://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/ .

THE COLLEGE:
RIT's College of Art and Design is the university's creative hub where art, design, science, and technology intersect in our 200,000+ sq. ft. facility. We are a dynamic and professional arts and design community comprised of 1,900 students (UG and Grad), nearly 140 full-time faculty, 60 creative staff, and a number of professional part-time faculty, all of whom contribute to our College’s ecosystem. The College’s four schools offer programs in Art, Design, Crafts, Film and Animation, Photography and Photographic Sciences. The range of innovative programs offers students a panoramic perspective from creating fine art using centuries-old methods to pushing the boundaries of digital creativity. The College of Art and Design also takes full advantage of RIT’s opportunities in technology, STEM, engineering, sustainability, and entrepreneurism programs, as well as our global campuses, https://rit.edu/artdesign .

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at, http://careers.rit.edu/staff . Click the link to search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number. In addition to your application dcouments, please upload list of two references with their contact information and how you are acquainted.

Questions regarding this position may be sent to Jennifer Jae Gutierrez, IPI Executive Director: [email protected] .

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.