Associate Conservator of Decorative Arts Conservation

Getty; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 72,380 - 113,185; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan with up to 5% match

Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days

On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center

Job summary

Getty in Los Angeles is seeking a limited-term (2-year) Furniture Conservator for the Department of Decorative Arts and Sculpture Conservation. The ideal candidate will help conserve French furniture and contribute to exhibit preparations. Candidates must have either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in conservation and relevant experience in furniture conservation.

The position offers competitive salaries based on experience and qualifications, along with comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one.

Qualifications

• Master's level degree in conservation preferred.
• 2-4 years experience for Assistant Conservator; 5-7 years for Associate Conservator.
• Demonstrated skills in examination, analysis, documentation, and treatment of furniture.

Responsibilities

• Conduct conservation treatments of French furniture at the Getty Museum.
• Collaborate with conservators and curators to set treatment goals.
• Prepare written and visual documentation of treatments.

Skills

Furniture conservation

Technical study of works of art

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MA in conservation or equivalent degree

Tools

Technical, analytical, and imaging equipment

Job description

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Overview

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The Museum operates two facilities, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photographs to the present day (including non-European works). The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.

The Opportunity

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a limited term (2-year) qualified furniture conservator to join the Department of Decorative Arts and Sculpture Conservation located at the Getty Center. The position will be filled at the Assistant Conservator or Associate Conservator level, based on qualifications. The targeted hiring range for Assistant Conservator is $72,380.88 - $95,895.28 annually; for Associate Conservator is $85,422.48 - $113,185.28 annually.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for Getty, without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in furniture conservation and in the technical study of works of art, along with a commitment to advancing knowledge and practices in this field. A collegial and engaged team member, the limited term 2-year Assistant or Associate Conservator’s primary responsibilities include developing and executing major conservation treatments on several masterworks of ébénisterie in the Getty’s collection of French 17th and 18th century furniture, in support of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s major reinstallation of the Decorative Arts collections. Advanced training in specialized conservation techniques will be provided through a series of master classes led by visiting European experts.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Conservation treatment of French furniture in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, focusing on works of ébénisterie, in preparation for their installation in the newly renovated Decorative Arts galleries at the Getty Center.
• Close collaboration with Getty conservators, curators and scientists as well as expert consultants to develop treatment goals and specific proposals. This may include the design and coordination of technical studies necessary for treatment planning and evaluation.
• Preparation of written and visual documentation of treatment and research.

Qualifications

• Assistant Conservator
  • Bachelor’s degree; MA in conservation or equivalent degree preferred
  • 2 - 4 years experience in conservation
• Associate Conservator
  • MA in conservation or equivalent degree
  • 5 - 7 years experience in conservation

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Prefer Masters level degree in conservation from a recognized graduate training program
• Working knowledge and experience in furniture conservation
• Demonstrated abilities in the examination, analysis, documentation and treatment of furniture
• Highly developed hand skills and attention to detail
• Sound knowledge of the development of design and fabrication techniques of historic furniture
• Ability to operate and knowledge of technical, analytical, and imaging equipment
• Proven research capabilities
• Good knowledge of the chemistry of collection materials and their deterioration processes
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills including written, verbal and listening skills
• Creative thinking and solutions-based problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of personal safety equipment and standards

Benefits And Perks

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan – with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational Assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
• On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.