Opportunity Title: Conservation Technician
Reports To: Chief Conservator
Salary or Hourly: Salary - $44,000
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complete weekly maintenance of gallery areas, including dusting of artwork on display, exhibition furniture and casework.
Use dataloggers, hygrothermographs and other instruments to monitor climate conditions in collections areas. - Maintain a log and database of recorded information.
- Notify concerned museum staff when conditions are beyond designated parameters.
- Create environmental studies and reports as requested for circulation and review by concerned staff.
- Assist conservators with examination of collection objects, condition assessments, and treatment projects.
- Perform minor conservation treatment under the supervision of conservators.
- Help document work of the Conservation Department by creating written reports, photographic images and database records.
- Assist interdepartmental team with the handling, movement, packing and installation of works of art.
- Complete regular cleaning and maintenance of labware, laboratory areas and support spaces.
- Prepare solutions, adhesives, and other mixtures using solvents, resins and raw chemicals as needed for treatments;
- Maintain the inventory of supplies, including chemicals, as requested and keep the conservation supply storage areas in order.
- Assist the conservators and mount maker with the fabrication of exhibition mounts.
- Assist conservators with the creation of storage mounts and housings.
- Perform Oddy tests and other means to evaluate suitability of materials for conservation, exhibition and storage purposes.
- Assist with the Integrated Pest Management program to mitigate pests, as needed.
- Periodically serve as a courier, accompanying works of art in transit to ensure proper handling and care during packing and unpacking, transport, condition reporting, installation, etc., as needed.
- Assist other collection areas and personnel when as needed.
- Other duties may be assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Proficiency with a variety of hand skills appropriate to the conservation specialty.
- Proficiency with hand and power tools, and basic carpentry skills preferred.
- Basic photography skills.
- Proficiency with environmental monitoring equipment is preferred.
- Good recordkeeping and organizational skills.
- Computer skills including word processing and experience with Excel and photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop or similar).
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
- Ability to write simple correspondence.
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers and other employees.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
EDUCATION AND /OR EXPERIENCE
- B.A./B.S. degree and five years or more work experience related to preventive and remedial conservation and preservation practices or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred but not required
- Fine arts and/or art history background.
- Must be a resident or citizen of the USA.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the USA.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to vapors, fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical shock and risk of electrical shock. The ability to wear and use a respirator and other personal protective equipment is required.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
