Are you an experienced cultural materials conservator seeking a leadership opportunity? Do you thrive as a mentor and advocate for heritage conservation?

The State Library of Queensland is seeking a senior conservator to coordinate the day-to-day operations and activities of the Conservation team.

As a member of the Preservation leadership team, the Coordinator, Conservation plays a key role in preserving and caring for the Library's rich heritage collections, ensuring their ongoing accessibility for generations to come.

Job details

At State Library of Queensland, we preserve Queensland's stories so they can be discovered, shared and understood, now and into the future. From rare and fragile heritage materials to contemporary collections that reflect the lives of Queenslanders today, our work ensures that the State's cultural memory is protected and accessible for generations to come. Conservation is at the heart of this purpose.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Coordinator, Conservation to lead our Conservation team and play a pivotal role in safeguarding Queensland's heritage collections.

In this senior leadership role, you will coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Conservation team, guiding a skilled group of professional conservators, technicians and assistants to deliver responsive, high-quality preservation services. You will balance strategic oversight with hands-on expertise, ensuring conservation work supports access, exhibitions, loans and long-term collection care.

You will lead and mentor the team through complex conservation challenges, assessing and guiding treatment approaches while promoting best practice in line with the AICCM Code of Ethics and Practice. Your expertise will be critical in preparing collection items for exhibition and loan, and in navigating sensitive or high-risk conservation decisions.

As a visible advocate for the preservation of collections, you will promote conservation awareness across the organisation and beyond through the delivery of staff training, providing specialist advice to clients and the public, and strengthening understanding of how we care for Queensland's cultural heritage.

Just as important, you will demonstrate inclusive and effective leadership, contributing to a culturally safe, respectful and positive work environment where people feel supported to do their best work.

This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, influence conservation practice at a state-wide level, and make a lasting contribution to preserving Queensland's history.

The role description will outline any qualifications, licences and specific requirements of the role. If you are interested in this job we encourage you to read the attached role description and talk to the contact officer.

• Applications will remain current for a period of up to 12 months and may be considered for other vacancies (identical or similar).
• Appointments are subject to criminal history checks in accordance with section 52 of the Public Sector Act 2022.
• Prior to appointment, current and previous public sector employees are required to disclose any history of serious disciplinary action in accordance with section 71 of the Public Sector Act 2022.
• All employees are required to disclose any interest/s that conflict, may conflict or may be perceived to conflict with the discharge of their duties in accordance with section 89, 182 or 183 of the Public Sector Act 2022.

***APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO APPLY ONLINE - scroll down and click the 'APPLY ONLINE' button***

Please note any documents attached to Smart Jobs should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Please do not upload zipped files.

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• SLQ678706 Coordinator, Conservation - RD (PDF, 150KB)
  Role Description