Month: August 2016

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) seeks qualified and experienced applicants for an Associate Book & Paper Conservator position, to provide conservation treatment for MNHS book and paper collections and to manage the book and paper conservation laboratory, including a Conservation Assistant. 

Desired qualifications include an advanced degree or Certificate in Art Conservation plus three years of experience.  This is a full‐time position (2,088 annual hours) and the salary is projected to be at least $45,000 annually.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a 167-year old organization, headquartered in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and maintains a museum, library, and archives, in addition to close to 30 diverse historic sites throughout the state. The organization is a national leader in historic preservation, and by many metrics (including budget, staffing, and membership) is one of the largest state historical societies in the United States.  Currently MNHS maintains four separate conservation laboratories for the preservation of books and paper, textiles, objects, and archaeology, and employs five trained conservators.  The conservation facilities are large, flexible, well equipped, and modern.

To apply submit MNHS Application for Employment, (available at www.mnhs.org/jobs), cover letter, resume, and if applicable, any supplemental forms.  

The specific job listing can be found at the following link:

http://www.mnhs.org/sites/default/files/job/1311_associate_book_paper_conservator.pdf

Application materials must be received by August 23, 2016. 

Job Title: Director of Conservation Services Department: Conservation Services
Reports to: President & CEO FLSA: Exempt
Location: Landover, DC FT/PT/CONTRACT: Full Time
Date: July 2016 Revised: N/A
SUMMARY:
The essential functions of this position are directing the operations of the conservation laboratory and managing the activities of the staff conservators, interns and contractors in providing conservation care, treatment and advice for clients.
ARTEX Conservation Laboratory, based in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area, is seeking a full-time Director of Conservation with a specialty in paintings.
The ARTEX Conservation Laboratory is housed in a spacious, modern studio space in the Washington, DC area. ARTEX provides museum standard environmental controls, security system, and fire protection, in addition to excellent storage capabilities, professional art handling, and an art crating workshop on site. The Conservation staff consists of 4 full time painting conservators, 1 part time objects conservator, and a conservation technician/administrator.
If you are interested in this position, please forward a cover letter, resume, available start date, and salary history/requirements to our HR department at jobs_dc@artexfas.com for immediate review/consideration.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Client Account and Project Management
• Lead and/or coordinate examination, documentation, conservation and restoration procedures on behalf of ARTEX Fine Art Services.
• Conduct and/or coordinate technical research relating to ARTEX conservation projects.
• Oversee the department’s strict adherence to accepted professional standards, inclusive of the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, in all aspects of examination, documentation, treatment, and client care.
• Establish operational budgets and ensure accurate reporting on all project costs.
• Ensure that accepted health and safety procedures are communicated, monitored, and evaluated.
• Plan and assign work based on the skillset, area of expertise and workload of individual team members.
• Ensure client requirements are met in a responsive and efficient manner while maintaining the highest standards of client service.
• Oversee the design, implementation and analysis of reports and key metrics to set and monitor service standards and identify areas of improvement.
Leadership, Staffing and Team Management
• Establish a staffing structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities and the necessary headcount complement to fulfill both current and anticipated client work, research projects and other departmental objectives.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection of qualified staff.
• Manage the activities of staff conservators, interns and contractors in providing conservation care, treatment, and advice for museums, art galleries, government agencies, private collectors, corporate collectors, and others with custodial responsibilities for works of art and historical or heritage objects.
• Provide leadership and expertise for all technical aspects relating to conservation work.
• Meet with team members regularly to provide ongoing mentoring based on clearly defined performance expectations in support of job satisfaction, employee retention and increased employee engagement levels.
• Design a comprehensive training and development program focused on employee professional development; supporting individual skill development, work requirements and career aspirations.
Business Development and Marketing
• Build the department’s business development strategy to support growth and optimize opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Provide leadership and support for the design, development and implementation of marketing collateral that draws awareness to the Conservation team’s area of expertise and service offerings.
• Ensure all marketing efforts are well coordinated, support clearly defined marketing plan objectives and are an effective expenditure of resources inclusive of participation in national conferences, symposia, and other targeted events.
• Promote ARTEX conservation practices and projects to the greater conservation community to build greater awareness of the department.
• Support the integration of the department’s services and abilities within the larger scope of the company’s service offerings.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• 18+ years post graduate experience including extensive experience in the examination and treatment of paintings, particularly modern and contemporary paintings as well as murals and architectural paintings.
• Knowledge of modern museum practices and care of collections, including environmental control and monitoring, and safe handling.
• Demonstrated experience in the creation and management of conservation service contracts as well as estimation and monitoring of actual costs for the examination/treatment of paintings.
• Experience with the preparation and presentation of grants, contract proposals, reports, lectures, publications, and seminars relating to conservation.
• Prior experience in private practice and management of a conservation practice including safety, environmental and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to set clear and measurable team goals and objectives and hold staff accountable to meet/exceed goals.
• Proven track record in generating and growing new business and driving client relationships.
• Solid computer skills skills (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FileMaker and Adobe Photoshop) and a thorough understanding of how technology can be used as an effective resource.
• Capable of working well under pressure and able to meet deadlines.
EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL STATUS:
• Master’s degree in Art Conservation, or equivalent combination of conservation training and experience.
• Periodic professional development through attendance of conservation workshops, seminars, or professional conferences.
• Professional Associate status within AIC or higher.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts both orally and in writing with both internal and external customers. Excellent verbal, telephone and written communication skills.

ASSOCIATE CONSERVATOR
Grade 56 (Conservator I)
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
The Associate Conservator conducts conservation examinations and surveys, undertakes and documents preventative and interventive conservation activities, provides support to the Harvard Peabody Museum’s conservation department in exhibition, loan, acquisition, and curatorial initiatives. Reports to the Senior Conservator.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs a range of conservation examinations and treatments, including stabilizing and cleaning of organic and inorganic materials in accordance with the Code of Ethnic and Guidelines of Practice of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
• Conducts collection surveys and analyzes results in consultation with the Conservator and/or Senior Conservator.
• Completes written technical examinations including history/fabrication technology and selected material analysis in accordance with departmental standards.
• Performs photographic documentation and updates technical reports in the Museum’s collections database.
• Undertakes routine bi-monthly environmental monitoring activities, producing a comprehensive report on the environmental status of the Museum’s facilities and troubleshooting issues with the Conservator and Building Manager.
• Conducts insect/pest identifications as part of the Museum’s Integrated Pest Management program; generates bi-monthly IPM reports and advises collections staff on related pest management issues.
• Implements procedures to address preservation problems in consultation with the Senior Conservator and other collections staff.
• Assists with and/or undertakes analytical sampling projects in accordance with Museum policy.
• Serves as courier for museum loans as required.
• Provides exhibition checks and technical advice on preventative conservation measures for objects in storage in collaboration with collections management staff.
• Advises on appropriate temperature, humidity, and light levels for museum galleries and storage spaces.
• Advises staff on appropriate storage systems for complex fragile objects and develops prototypes for storage containers and object re-housing.
• Collaborates with staff from the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture exhibits team on object mount design for Museum exhibitions.
• Supervises conservation interns on designated projects.
• Supports the conservation department’s mission and responsibilities and performs other duties as required.
• Serves as lead conservator on designated conservation projects that may require collaboration with collections, curatorial, and exhibits staff.

Position Requirements:

• MA/MS in art conservation.
• Minimum of three years professional conservation experience specializing in objects conservation in a museum setting.
• Excellent knowledge of conservation principles and practices and demonstrated excellence performing conservation treatments.
• Knowledge of cultural history, technology, and materials of three-dimensional objects as well as a good understanding of chemical and physical processes of deterioration.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques used in conservation practice.
• Strong background in inorganic materials preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills; ability to establish and achieve priorities.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a highly productive lab.
• Ability to maintain high standards under tight deadlines and follow through on repetitive tasks.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to lift 35-40 lbs.
• Position may require long periods of standing and bending.
• The work associated with this position is primarily performed in a conservation lab.
• Position uses specialized conservation tools, equipment and solvents.
• Must be aware of environmental hazards posed by substances such as solvents and mold and appropriate, safe methods of working with such substances.

Deadline: September 15, 2016. Position will be open until filled.
For additional information and to apply for this position, see http://hr.harvard.edu/search-jobs