Archaeological Conservator, Yorktown Collections

Praxy; United States; On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Vacation leave

Health insurance contributions

403b retirement match

Job summary

The Mariners' Museum and Park in Yorktown, Virginia, seeks an Archaeological Conservator for a 3-year, grant-funded position to care for objects from shipwrecks tied to the Siege of Yorktown. Work under senior staff and collaborate with VDHR as needed.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a relevant field, a Masters preferred, and at least four years of post-graduate conservation experience. This full-time, salary-exempt position offers strong benefits and a $60,000 annual salary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in art, history, archaeology or a science-related field.
• Master's degree in object or archaeological conservation (preferred).
• Minimum four years of post-graduate conservation experience preferred.
• Preference for experience in archaeological conservation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct examination, documentation, and artifacts treatment following established conservation procedures.
• Maintain detailed before, during, and after treatment records with written and photographic documentation.
• Develop new conservation techniques in consultation with supervisors when needed.
• Construct storage support systems and housing for artifacts.
• Assist in laboratory operations and ordering supplies.
• Promote conservation importance through outreach when possible.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Safety practices

Conservation knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in art/history/archaeology/science

Master's degree in conservation (preferred)

4+ years post-graduate conservation experience (preferred)

Tools

FT-IR

SEM

XRF

Digital radiography

3-D scanning

Job description

The Yorktown Collections Archaeological Conservator position is a grant-funded, 3-year position. The conservator will undertake the assessment, direct treatment, and preventive conservation care of select objects recovered in the 1930s and 1980s from shipwrecks associated with the Siege of Yorktown (September - October, 1781) at Yorktown, Virginia within the holding of The Mariners' Museum and Park and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR). This position has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Rediscovering Our Revolutionary Tradition, which frames the scope of work performed. The Archaeological Conservator will work under the direct supervision of the Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator and the Senior Archaeological Conservator and will consult/work with other museum personnel and VDHR staff as needed.

The Mariners' Museum and Park offers an excellent benefits package to include paid sick leave and vacation, generous health insurance contributions, and a 403b retirement match. This is a full-time, salary-exempt position with an annual salary of $60,000.

Duties

• Conduct examination, documentation, and artifacts treatment following established conservation procedures, methodologies, and ethics.
• Maintain detailed before, during, and after treatment records including both written and photographic documentation.
• When necessary, based on the conservation needs of an artifact, develop new conservation techniques and procedures in consultation with the Director of Conservation and/or Senior Archaeological Conservator.
• Construct storage support systems and housing for artifacts.
• Assist in the maintenance/operation of laboratory equipment and facility, and participate in the ordering of supplies and additional equipment as required.
• Promote the importance of conservation in an outreach capacity whenever possible.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Working knowledge of up-to-date practices for conservation and maintenance of objects.
• Working knowledge of the archaeological method and practices.
• Familiarity with a wide variety of materials including metals and organics preferred.
• Continued professional development in the conservation field.
• Familiarity with analytical equipment and methods, not limited to but including FT-IR, SEM, XRF, digital radiography, optical microscopy, chloride analysis, metals sample preparation, 3-D scanning/modeling.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of digital photography.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Familiarity with accepted practices for achieving and ensuring safety in the laboratory.
• Consistent capacity for respectful and professional interpersonal relations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with a major in an art, history, archaeology or a science-related field of study.
• A Master's degree in object or archaeological conservation(preferred) from a recognized graduate conservation program.
• A minimum of four years of post-graduate conservation experience is preferred.
• Preference will be given to those with experience in archaeological conservation.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to pass a background and motor vehicle record check prior to employment.
• Applicants must currently possess the capability to work in the United States.