Conservation Assistant

American Museum of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is seeking a full-time Conservation Assistant to support the conservation and restoration of 18 historic dioramas in Whitney Hall of Oceanic Birds, focusing on roughly 500 taxidermy mounts. You will help document taxidermy, habitat materials and paintings while assisting with treatment as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include documenting, entering data into the project database, tracking specimen locations, and

Qualifications

• Completed college-level coursework in fine art, conservation, museum studies, or another related field.
• Two years experience working with and/or handling collections (in a museum, historic house, archaeological site, field work, private conservation lab, etc.).
• Proficiency with digital photography.
• Strong organizational, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Carry out documentation related to taxidermy, habitat materials, and paintings. Process and archive conservation and project images.
• Support written documentation, capturing details from examination and treatment conducted by the conservation team. Enter these details into the project database.
• Carry out basic cleaning and treatment of taxidermy and foreground materials and build specimen supports as needed. Track the location of all specimens and foreground materials removed from dioramas. Maintain careful records of their original locations.
• Provide general support to the project managers in tracking progress, ensuring deadlines are met, developing progress reports, tracking orders, managing supplies, and preparing materials.

Skills

Digital photography

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fine art, conservation, museum studies, or related field

Completed college-level coursework in fine art, conservation, museum studies, or related field

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 a full-time Conservation Assistant to support the conservation and restoration of the 18 historic dioramas in the Whitney Hall of Oceanic Birds, focused on approximately 500 bird taxidermy mounts as well as habitat materials and background paintings. The Conservation Assistant’s primary focus will be supporting project documentation with a secondary focus on conservation treatment. The Conservation Assistant will work as part of a larger project team of conservators, taxidermists, curators, exhibit preparators, designers, and construction staff.
Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Carry out documentation related to taxidermy, habitat materials, and paintings. Process and archive conservation and project images.
• Support written documentation, capturing details from examination and treatment conducted by the conservation team. Enter these details into the project database.
• Carry out basic cleaning and treatment of taxidermy and foreground materials and build specimen supports as needed. Track the location of all specimens and foreground materials removed from dioramas. Maintain careful records of their original locations.
• Provide general support to the project managers in tracking progress, ensuring deadlines are met, developing progress reports, tracking orders, managing supplies, and preparing materials.

The expected salary range for the Conservation Assistant is $55,000/annual – $65,000/annual. This position is overtime-eligible and 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

• Completed college-level coursework in fine art, conservation, museum studies, or another related field.
• Two years experience working with and/or handling collections (in a museum, historic house, archaeological site, field work, private conservation lab, etc.).
• Proficiency with digital photography.
• Strong organizational, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fine art, conservation, museum studies, or another related field.
• Experience working with taxidermy.
• Proficiency working with databases.

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.
  • Climbing: Ascending or descending physical structures.

Category

Category Full-Time/Term

Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period

70

Union Status

Non-Union

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Expected Salary Minimum

$55,000/annual

Expected Salary Maximum

$65,000/annual

EEO Statement

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre‑employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.

Documents Needed To Apply

• Required Documents
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
• Optional Documents

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