Assistant Conservator

American Museum of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive benefits package

Job summary

A prominent cultural institution seeks an Assistant Conservator to aid in conservation efforts, focusing on deinstalling collections and preparing items for long-term storage. Ideal candidates will have a Master’s degree in art conservation and three years of relevant lab experience. Responsibilities include careful handling of diverse materials, documentation of treatment processes, and maintaining project databases. The expected salary range is $65,000 to $75,000 annually, complemented by comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in a conservation lab (museum or private).
• Strong knowledge of conservation principles applicable to anthropological and natural science collections.

Responsibilities

• Support the removal of a wide range of object materials from display.
• Assist in creating physical supports for items requiring special preparations.
• Document conservation efforts through written and photographic means.
• Maintain equipment and enter conservation data into databases.

Skills

Knowledge of conservation principles

Documenting treatment procedures

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in art conservation

Job description

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education and exhibition.

The Museum is seeking an Assistant Conservator to support conservation and collection care efforts related to the deinstallation of the collections displayed in the AMNH cultural halls and preparations for long term storage. The assistant conservator will work as part of a larger Cultural Halls Conservation and Collection Care team including conservators, collection professionals, cultural liaisons, facilities & construction professionals and exhibit preparators.

Please see the Science Conservation webpage for examples of the scope of projects that come through the lab. www.amnh.org/research/science-conservation.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Deinstallation: Support the removal of a wide range of object materials and types from display, many requiring careful handling guided by special procedures for culturally sensitive objects.
• Collection Care:
• IPM: Carry our processes related to items organic by nature that require special preparations, providing support and isolation to freeze for potential pest activity. Assist with coordination of bulk freezing and thawing and participating in monitoring for pests in halls.
• Rehousing: Most items will require some level of physical support for safe handling, freezing and long-term storage. Conservator will assist in creating both standardized and customized supports.
• Treatment and Documentation: Some items may require limited conservation stabilization. All will require some level of documentation written and/or photographic. Following specific procedures, conservator will carry out these efforts.
• Administrative Duties:
• Support the set up and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
• Enter conservation and collections data into project database including location tracking, treatment specifics, and project status.

The expected salary range for the Assistant Conservator is $65,000/annual – $75,000/annual. The AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in art conservation.
• Three years of experience in a conservation lab (museum or private)
• Strong knowledge of principles, concepts, and methodology of conservation applicable to the full range of procedures for preservation and treatment of anthropological and natural science collections

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with collections from North American Indigenous communities
• Active Membership in the American Institute for Conservation and relevant professional organizations.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods. Must be able to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
• Positioning/change of positioning: Must be able to frequently position oneself/body to accomplish job duties.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling.