Preservation Specialist, Northeast Document Conservation Center (Andover, MA)

Posted March 27, 2026

Position Summary

The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) is seeking an early- to mid-career professional to serve as a Preservation Specialist in support of its nationwide training, consulting, and outreach programs.

This full-time position may be based at NEDCC’s office in Andover, MA; based both in Andover and at home (hybrid); or based remotely anywhere in the contiguous United States as part of NEDCC’s established teleworking program. Responsibilities include conducting preservation needs assessments for paper-based, audiovisual, and digital collections; writing comprehensive assessment reports; responding to preservation inquiries from cultural heritage organizations such as archives, libraries, and museums; researching, updating, and presenting webinars and workshops on a range of preservation topics; assisting with ongoing grants and special projects; and representing NEDCC at local, regional, and national professional meetings and conferences.

Preservation Specialists are the public face of NEDCC. Our most important characteristics are a passion for cultural heritage collections and an interest in helping others see and understand the value of preservation. We are excellent communicators in person and in writing, are able to step back and see a bigger picture, and are interested in finding creative but practical solutions to difficult problems. As a highly collaborative department, all team members bring their individual expertise to bear on the department’s goals and projects. Learn more about NEDCC’s Preservation Services Department.

The minimum salary for this position is $55,000. NEDCC offers competitive salaries commensurate with education, experience, and skill, as well as an excellent retirement/benefits package.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for the Preservation Specialist position are:

• a Master’s degree in Archives, Conservation, Library and Information Science,
  Museum Studies, Public History, or similar;
• at least 2 years of full-time experience working with collections-holding
  institutions;
• solid understanding of general preservation best practices (disaster planning, format identification, care and handling of materials, reformatting, digital collection management, environmental management, etc.);
• strong analytical and observation skills;
• excellent writing and verbal communication skills;
• experience and comfort with public speaking;
• demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from a range of
  communities and backgrounds;
• flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team;
• valid driver’s license; and
• ability and willingness to travel regionally and nationally up to 25%, including
  being able and willing to drive and fly as needed.
  In addition to the above, the following qualifications are desirable but are not required for
  consideration:
• based in the New England region (including New York);
• experience working with libraries, especially public libraries;
• experience with online instruction and in-person instruction;
• exposure to or experience with instructional design and online learning
  management systems;
• experience in audiovisual and/or digital preservation;
• consulting experience; and
• project management experience.

About NEDCC

Founded in 1973, NEDCC is the first nonprofit center to specialize in the conservation and reformatting of paper-based materials, and over the years it has expanded its services to include audio preservation, digital imaging, and preservation field services. NEDCC’s mission is to improve the preservation efforts of libraries, archives, historical organizations, museums, and other repositories; to provide the highest quality conservation and reformatting services to collections-holding institutions; and to provide leadership in preservation, conservation, and digital reformatting. Its services include assessments and consultations; book, paper, and photograph conservation; digital reformatting (imaging and audio); disaster assistance; online preservation education; and workshops and conferences.

NEDCC has consulted with organizations across the country to plan for the long-term preservation of their collections and has worked with a range of institutions to reformat their deteriorating documents, photographs, negatives, and obsolete audio materials. NEDCC has treated many of the most significant paper-based collections in the United States. (See NEDCC Stories for projects of note.) NEDCC is located in Andover, MA, twenty-five miles north of Boston. For more information, please visit nedcc.org.

Only persons with the legal right to work in the United States are eligible to apply. NEDCC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to Apply

Application Process
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF to Ann Marie Willer, Director of Preservation Services, amwiller <@> nedcc <.> org. In the cover letter, explain how you meet the qualifications for the position.

Founded in 1973, NEDCC is a nonprofit that preserves cultural heritage collections nationwide. NEDCC staff support institutions and individuals through expert services in book, paper, and photograph conservation, digital imaging, audio reformatting, and preservation consulting and training.

Learn more about Preservation Services:

• Preservation Training: https://www.nedcc.org/preservation-training/training-about
• Assessments and Consultations: https://www.nedcc.org/assessments-and-consultations/about
• Preservation Staff: https://www.nedcc.org/about/staff/preservation-services