Job Details

Preservation Technician

Position Number: 6455752
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Libraries

Preservation Technician

Requisition Number: 66565
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Classified Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 24-Aug-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

University Libraries at CU Boulder encourages applications for two Preservation Technician positions! This role works with the Preservation and Collection Care Section at the University Libraries. The Preservation Technician works to support the goals of the section to ensure long-term sustainable access to the collections by leading and training students; update and maintain student instructions, prepare and circulate necessary information; respond to feedback; and problem solving. This role applies general knowledge of Preservation standard processes and procedures when making treatment decisions. This position may perform: initial triage of damaged items coming into Preservation to decide appropriate treatment, preparing items for shelving, updating records in the library services platform (FOLIO), data collection from our Environmental monitors throughout the campus libraries, and basic and intermediate Preservation treatments of collection items, preparing items for the commercial binder, and ordering custom boxes. This position will learn and apply specialized skills such as book repair and enclosure making, passionately looking after and preserving all library collection materials. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Mission We are a knowledge catalyst. We fuel inquiry, discovery, collaboration, creation, and the dissemination of knowledge. We welcome everyone, wherever they are on their educational journey. Vision An information-empowered world. Values Empower | Connect | Learn | Inspire Our values define our interactions within the Libraries and radiate outwardly. This means that we develop a culture that compassionately and authentically embodies our values in all aspects of our work. Diversity Statement We affirm diversity and inclusive excellence to be vitally integral to the Libraries' mission and vision. We strive to model this in recruitment and retention, building collections, and offering services and spaces to develop a receptive social, intellectual, and physical environment for all. Learn more about our dedication to diversity and inclusivity. The University Libraries encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that person may be one who comes from a less traditional background. As you review the qualifications, please think about how your qualifications are transferable if (at first) they do not seem directly related. Share how your skills translate in your cover letter. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every preferred qualification.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Lead Worker for Assigned Tasks:

Act as student lead by assisting with training, and leading student assistants in the section.
Update and build instructions assigned to tasks, in consultation with the Head of Preservation.
Proactively supervise and request supplies and equipment as needed Track and maintain relevant statistics and metrics

Areas technician may be assigned to lead include:

Book Repair
Shelf Preparation
In-house Enclosures
Pascal Off-site Storage Transfers
Bindery Preparation
Commercial Box Orders

Simple and Intermediate Preservation Treatments:

Assists Conservator and Head of Preservation on simple and intermediate treatments and enclosures as needed. This may include making simple enclosures, basic treatments to circulating collections, and more sophisticated conservation treatments.

Rescued Book Process:

Evaluates materials for Preservation needs and sorts them to the proper Preservation workflow for treatment. This includes preliminary assessment of circulating materials to determine appropriate level of treatment. Damaged or brittle books are collected daily from Circulation, Cataloging, and Acquisitions by the technician.
Conducts a triage to direct books to the appropriate workflows for repair, rebinding, or for additional research. Consults Section Lead and Conservator as needed for triage decisions. This position conducts the basic research necessary to make treatment decisions for material that cannot (or should not) be repaired or rebound, such as brittle books.

Other Preservation Tasks as Assigned:

Responding to Collection Emergencies
Updating Records

Treatment and damage notes
Updates for items that are being withdrawn

Collect Environmental Data from monitors across library locations.
Assist with Preservation related outreach, classes, and exhibits.

What You Should Know

The work schedule is Monday - Friday, standard business hours.
This position is working primarily on-site.

What We Can Offer

The salary for this position is $43,000 (set based on pay equity and likely within the 1st quartile).
If you have prior state-classified experience in the same class series as this position, your pay may be set at a higher amount per the state Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Must be a Colorado resident.
Two years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for- year basis.

What You Will Need

Proven track record to consistently meet non-negotiable timelines.
Strong attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills.
Manual dexterity to handle fragile collections.
Ability to cultivate an environment of inclusion and respect.
Ability to apply and adapt knowledge and skills to a variety of tasks.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume. Must include date ranges and whether full time or part-time work.
A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications.
Optional: DD-214 for veteran applicants.

Qualified veterans are eligible for veteran's preference points within the State classified system. If you are a veteran and would like to have your DD214 evaluated to determine your eligibility for preference points, please attach a copy of your DD214 to this posting. If you do not wish to upload a DD214, please email a copy to HRESmail@colorado.edu or send via fax at 303-492-4693 and reference the job to which you are applying.

Optional: If using the educational substitution for experience: proof of degree or transcripts.

You will not be asked to upload references at this time. Please apply by 8/24/2025 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
Select here for additional information regarding Classified Staff positions: www.cu.edu/cu-careers/special-instructions-classified-staff-applicants
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Preservation-Technician/66565