Queen’s University Library invites applications for a Limited-Term Appointment at the rank of General
Archivist. The preferred start date is early 2024.
Located at Queen’s University in Kingston, the Conservator reports to the University Archivist &
Associate University Librarian. The Conservator is a Limited-Term position that collaborates regularly
with a team of archivists, librarians, and staff in the library’s Archives and Special Collections division
(Queen’s University Archives and W. D. Jordan Rare Books and Special Collections, Maps, and
Government Information). The position also collaborates with the whole library system in the context of
the library’s organizational design and vision of one library with a shared allegiance to common goals
and a ‘learning organization’ philosophy of continuous staff development, engagement, teamwork and
communication.
The Conservator plays a role in supporting the library’s fundamental value of information access,
stewardship and preservation, on a global scale for local needs, as well as the principle of enhancing
learning and research through improved accessibility, presentation, and preservation.
The Conservator will sustain the preservation and conservation program for Archives and Special
Collections focusing on addressing the inherent and ongoing needs in the substantial, significant, rare,
and unique collections, while providing advisory services to the library system. In addition, the
Conservator carries out treatment procedures for the conservation and preservation of archival and
library material, particularly paper and rare book conservation, employing specialized techniques to
restore, repair and conserve such items.
The position encompasses the full range of academic responsibilities as outlined in section 15.1.1 of the
QUFA Collective Agreement.
Please see the full position description here: https://assets.library.queensu.ca/2023-08-16-00113406-Conservator-Archivist-1-year-term-PD.pdf
Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including
contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully
vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These
requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any
point.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
• Master’s degree or Graduate Diploma in conservation, and a minimum of 1-2 years of relevant
experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current conservation principles and practices, materials science,
the history of bookbinding and a demonstrated commitment to life-long learning.
• Demonstrated ability to perform high quality conservation treatments, primarily books and
paper, and to communicate effectively about treatment options and decisions.
• Demonstrated project management skills; energy, flexibility, creativity; and excellent
interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and emergency response procedures.
• Physical ability to conduct conservation work (excellent hand-eye coordination and manual
dexterity; ability to work standing up for many hours, work light machinery such as a board
shear, lift and carry moderate weight, wear protective equipment when necessary).
Preferred
• Demonstrated ability to perform high quality conservation treatments on formats, such as
photographs, leather/vellum, audiovisual media, ephemera, and/or three-dimensional objects
would be an asset.
• Experience in an academic environment with a variety of staff and faculty would be an asset.
• Record of professional engagement and contribution, such as research, publication, and
involvement in pertinent professional and scholarly organizations would be an asset.
• Knowledge of preservation issues in different types of cultural institutions would be an asset.
• Experience with emerging technologies in conservation practice would be an asset.
People from across Canada and around the world come to learn, teach and carry out research at
Queen’s University. Employees and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package
including prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental care, long term disability insurance, life
insurance and access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program. You will also participate in a
pension plan. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying employees, their spouses and dependent
children. Queen’s values families and is pleased to provide a ‘top up’ to government parental leave
benefits for eligible employees on maternity/parental leave. In addition, Queen’s provides partial
reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for employees with dependent children in daycare. Details
are set out in the Queen’s-QUFA Collective Agreement. For more information on employee benefits, see
Queen’s Human Resources.
Additional information about Queen’s University can be found on the Faculty Recruitment and Support
website. The University is situated on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe,
in historic Kingston on the shores of Lake Ontario. Kingston’s residents enjoy an outstanding quality of
life with a wide range of cultural, recreational, and creative opportunities. Visit Inclusive Queen’s for
information on equity, diversity and inclusion resources and initiatives.
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is strongly committed to
employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black,
racialized/visible minority and Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and
2SLGBTQ+ persons. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with
Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given
priority.
To comply with federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information as to how many
applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens / permanent residents of Canada. Applicants need
not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the
following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”; OR “I am not a
Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”. Applications that do not include this information will
be deemed incomplete.
In addition, the impact of certain circumstances that may legitimately affect a nominee’s record of
professional achievement will be given careful consideration when assessing the nominee’s research
productivity. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience
and/or career interruptions.
A complete application consists of:
• a cover letter (including one of the two statements regarding Canadian citizenship /
permanent resident status specified in the previous paragraph)
• a current Curriculum Vitae (including a list of publications)
• The names and contact information of three referees
The deadline for applications is October 5, 2023.
Applicants are encouraged to send all documents in their application packages electronically as one PDF
to library.hr@queensu.ca.
The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including
accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require
accommodation during the interview process, please contact Rachael MacDermid at
library.hr@queensu.ca.
Academic staff at Queen’s University are governed by a Collective Agreement between the University
and the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA), which is posted at
http://queensu.ca/facultyrelations/faculty-librarians-and-archivists/collective-agreement and at
http://www.qufa.ca.
