About the State Library The State Library of New South Wales is one of Australia's oldest and most key public institutions. The Library preserves and presents the history of our State and our Nation for the benefit of all, offering essential services, extraordinary collections and magical experiences. Its rich collections, both physical and digital, alongside partnerships with the public library network across NSW and other vibrant collaborations enable Australians to examine their past and imagine their future.

The Collection Care Branch develops and implements preservation, storage, and conservation treatment programs for all material formats in the collections of the State Library. The Branch undertakes individual conservation treatments and preparation of items for display and for loan to other institutions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Conservator Grade 2, reporting to the Senior Conservator, Books, Objects and Paintings, to provide specialist conservation expertise and other preservation and conservation activities related to the collection at the State Library.

You will undertake and lead conservation and preservation tasks including but not limited to examination, reporting and conservation of collection items to agreed standards, and work on exhibition preparation and installation as required to support the ongoing preservation of the collections, and to facilitate access to them.

The successful candidate will work closely with other Collection Care staff as well as cataloguers, curatorial staff, and other collection specialists.

About you To be successful in this role,



you will have the following knowledge and experience:

- Tertiary qualifications in materials conservation; or tertiary qualifications in the fields of Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, Archaeology, Anthropology or Fine Arts, or qualifications deemed by the State Librarian to be equivalent; and a minimum of five years conservation experience.

- Experience in both routine and complex materials conservation within at least one specialist area, and well-developed knowledge of the philosophy, concepts and history of materials conservation, storage conditions, and related scientific processes.

- A good understanding of conservation ethics as adopted by the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials.

- Experience in communicating with stakeholders and preparing high quality documentation and reports.

- Demonstrated ability to plan, schedule and manage your work program

- Adequate knowledge and experience to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus Capabilities outlined in the Role Description.

How to apply To apply for this role please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV and provide a response to the following two questions.



Attach your answers as part of your application and/or as part of your cover letter. Please keep question responses to a maximum of 3 paragraphs and respond to the shortlisting questions in your own words - we’re looking to understand your perspective, not answers generated by AI tools.

1. Please provide an example of a significant conservation project you have undertaken. This may involve preventive conservation and/or interventive conservation treatment. Describe the project, the rationale for your chosen approach, the work carried out, the skills demonstrated, and any consultation with internal stakeholders.

1. Please provide an example of an exhibition or loan project you have been responsible for. Outline the project, the composition of the project team, explain how you managed the project, and describe the outcome.

The State Library of NSW welcomes and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTQI , people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans and workers of all ages.

Candidates can request a reasonable adjustment throughout each step of the recruitment process by noting this in your application or contacting the People and Culture Team via **@sl.nsw.gov.au.

Apply directly through the I Work for NSW Website: Conservator Grade 2 - Curation jobs in Sydney Region | I Work For NSW.

📌 Conservator Grade 2 (Sydney)
🏢 State Library of NSW
📍 Sydney