Job Posting Title:

Head of Preservation, UT Libraries

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Hiring Department:

UT Libraries

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Aug 11, 2025

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes
The University of Texas Libraries advances teaching, catalyzes research, and democratizes learning in order to develop critical thinkers and global citizens. As an essential campus partner in building a rich research and learning ecosystem, we are committed to creating and sustaining a community that welcomes and respects all individuals, celebrates different perspectives and experiences, and fosters belonging. To learn more about UT Libraries, please visit our website: https://www.lib.utexas.edu/

Purpose

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Stewardship, the Head of Preservation will oversee a comprehensive analog preservation program for the University of Texas Libraries, which includes collections care/preventive conservation, repair of circulating and non-circulating collections, preservation services for special collections, emergency planning and response, support for exhibitions and loans, and oversight of the newly established Collections Preservation and Research Complex (CPRC) high-density storage facility and reading room at the at the University’s Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.   

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction for the UT Libraries preservation program. Implement, assess, and sustain preservation strategies, operations, and workflows at the University of Texas Libraries. Develop and implement policies, guidelines, and best practices to ensure the long-term preservation of UT Libraries physical collections.

Develop and implement policies and services for the newly established Collections Preservation and Research Complex (CPRC). Oversee general operations for the facility. Coordinate with external partners who store materials at the facility.

Collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the organization and at the University to address physical preservation needs for our collections.

Lead experienced teams in the Preservation unit and CPRC and provide direct supervision of 3.0 FTE.

Other related functions as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in library science or equivalent, with four or more years of relevant experience in libraries, cultural heritage organizations, or other types of organizations in a field with transferable skills and competencies.

Experience leading a team, department, or portfolio area.

Experience with preservation and conservation best practices, operations, and activities at a large research library.

Knowledge of offsite storage practices for library materials.

Demonstrated knowledge of special collections reading room policies and practices.

Successful experience implementing workflows and operations based on relevant standards, best practices, and investigation of emerging trends.

High level of initiative and self-motivation.

Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and stakeholders effectively.

Exceptional organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Commitment to creating a welcoming environment that values different perspectives.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with high-density storage facilities.

Experience providing preservation storage for cultural heritage objects, in addition to library and archival materials.

Knowledge of inventory control systems in storage facilities.

Knowledge of building systems and the interactions between environmental conditions and collections.

Demonstrated experience identifying and setting preservation priorities in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and library leadership.

Experience working effectively with external partners, including vendors.

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills.

Salary Range

$72,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Use of manual dexterity.

Lifting objects, bending, kneeling, walking, standing.

Lifting and moving up to 40 pounds.

May work in extreme temperatures.

Ability to work safely with sharp instruments and around conservation equipment.

Typical library conditions.

May be exposed to dust and mold.

Work Shift

Monday-Friday between 7am-6pm as arranged with supervisor. This position requires onsite work at the University of Texas main campus and the Pickle Research Campus.

 

Required Materials (PDF preferred)

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest

During your application, you will be asked the following questions:

Describe your overall knowledge of and experience with preservation functions for physical collections.

Please tell us about your work experience as a supervisor, including how many people you have supervised, for how long, and what your team was responsible for.

Please tell us about your experience implementing and leading new programs and/or workflows.

Describe your knowledge of or experience with offsite storage for the preservation of library materials.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.