San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse communities. The library system includes the architecturally significant Main Library in the city’s Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branch libraries, two administrative buildings and four bookmobiles. With a collection of more than 3.7 million items, and circulation exceeding 11 million each year, SFPL serves more than 6 million visitors annually. The library system has extraordinary political and fiscal support that mandates an annual funding allocation from the city’s property tax revenues, resulting in a budget of $171.2 million in FY 22. With a strong budget, SFPL has approximately 900 employees committed to outstanding public service.

In June 2018, the Library was named Library of the Year by Gale/Library Journal for its active promotion of San Francisco’s values of inclusion, diversity, and equity and its ability to create programs and policies that support those democratic values. The library embraces its role as the most democratic of institutions, providing safe and welcoming facilities for all. Through a robust array of services and programs, the library places an emphasis on literacy and learning, digital inclusion, social justice, equity and healthy communities. To learn more about SFPL, please visit https://sfpl.org/.

Under general supervision, the 3620 Library Conservation Technician I maintains the circulating collection, and performs conservation treatments on books and other library materials from the Library’s core collections, including the Library’s special collections and the City and County of San Francisco Archives.

The Library Conservation Technician I functions within the Preservation Unit of the Collections & Technical Services Division.  The incumbent will be conserving two special collections at the Main Library Book Art & Special Collection: Grabhorn and Harrison Collection. These collections contain books dating back to the 1400s and retain all titles and holdings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluates the condition of materials from the library’s permanent and circulating collection including photographs, books, reference collections, and other materials;
• Designs an appropriate treatment plan in accordance with established best practices;
• Treats library’s permanent and circulating collections including photographs, books, reference collections, and other materials, according to the treatment plan;
• Prepares books for commercial bindery including, but not limited to photocopying and reattaching damaged/missing materials, reinforcing sewing, and tape removal;
• Performs photograph and paper conservation treatments including aqueous treatments and tape removal;
• Designs and makes a variety of custom-fit enclosures for fragile or unique materials;
• Documents workflow for each treatment performed on the Library’s special collections and City and County of San Francisco archives, and other materials as needed;
• Maintains the lab and workspace by keeping tools and equipment clean and in working condition;
• Participates in disaster recovery of materials; and may assist staff on how to proceed with emergency salvage of Library materials;
• Researches new methods and materials used for treatments based on professional industry standards;
• Provides assistance in training on basic treatment and conservation methods to staff and interns;
• Inputs and retrieves data information from a computer; and
• Answers inquiries from staff and makes appropriate referrals as needed.

These minimum qualifications are to be used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which may be required for employment in the class. Although these minimum qualifications are typical of the class, additional minimum qualifications and special conditions may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the job announcement.

Experience:
Two (2) years of experience in the conservation of library books and paper.

Substitution:
Completion of a formal book binding or conservation program may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Possession of an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Library Information Technology may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found here.

Verification of qualifying experience, when requested, must be documented on the employer's business letterhead and must include the name of the applicant, job title(s), dates of employment, description of job duties performed, and signature of the employer or the employer’s authorized representative. Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted. Employees of the City and County of San Francisco may submit performance evaluations showing duties performed to verify qualifying City experience. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules. Verification may be waived if impossible to obtain. The applicant must submit a signed statement explaining why verification cannot be obtained. Waiver requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Failure to provide the required verification, or request for waiver when requested may result in rejection of the application.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. 

Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility and disqualification.

Applications will be screened for relevant and qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the department will be invited to participate in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to an interview.

Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt (PEX), full-time position up to three years. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process, is considered "at will" and shall serve at the discretion of the Department Head. If applicable, an exempt employee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service examination process for this classification and be selected through an open competitive recruitment process to be considered for a permanent appointment.

Work Hours: Day Shift, Monday - Friday, hours as directed
Compensation Range: $35.81 - $43.52 hourly; $2,865.00 - $3,482.00 monthly; $74,490.00 - $90,532.00 annually
Application Opening – November 17, 2021
Application Deadline – December 2, 2021

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Senior Human Resources Analyst, Raymond Wang, by telephone at (415) 437-4829, or via email: [email protected]

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Terms of Announcement:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website.

Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

Information About The Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
General Information concerning City and County of San Francisco Employment Policies and Procedures
Benefits Overview
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement

Condition of Employment: All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.