Conservation Technician

National Museum of Wildlife Art; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Shangri La in Honolulu seeks a Conservation Technician to preserve the historic art collection across indoor spaces and outdoor grounds on a 5-acre site. The role emphasizes preventive care, documentation, and cross‑functional collaboration to support programs, exhibitions and events.

The ideal candidate has hands-on cleaning experience, knowledge of preventive conservation, and familiarity with environmental monitoring.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with object cleaning and minor treatments under supervision.
• Knowledge of preventive conservation practices, materials and handling techniques for diverse object types.
• Familiarity with environmental monitoring and pest management strategies in a museum or collection care setting.
• Proficiency in collections management software (preferably TMS) or ability to learn it.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in physically handling historical materials.
• Ability to physically perform hands-on collection care duties in indoor and outdoor settings, including areas without climate control and conditions involving heat and humidity.
• Duties include standing, walking and sitting for extended periods, traversing the 5-acre property with uneven terrain, navigating flights of stairs, working in storage environments, and lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Flexibility to work a varying schedule, including weekends, special events and emergency situations.
• Ability to support multiple projects simultaneously.
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to protecting collections while supporting their role in programs, convenings and events.
• Ability to adapt work plans to changing on-site needs while maintaining conservation and safety standards.
• Sound judgment, high integrity and discretion at all times.

Responsibilities

• Carry out preventive conservation tasks including cleaning, dusting and vacuuming of collection objects made from a range of materials, such as metal, wood, stone, plaster, ceramics, glass, paper and textiles in accordance with conservation protocols.
• Follow established collections-handling procedures, sharing observations or concerns with supervisors to support alignment with professional conservation standards.
• Assist with conservation treatments of objects for display, loan, storage and research purposes.
• Assist with photo and video shoot supervision, pre-construction preparation and other related tasks.
• Collaborate with Content & Engagement and Operations colleagues to support cross-functional activities including events, exhibitions and artist residencies, coordinating collection care and on-site programs through proactive communication and problem-solving.

Education

Degree or certificate in conservation, museum studies, art history or related field

Tools

The Museum System (TMS)

Job description

BACKGROUND

Shangri La is a vibrant compound situated on a spectacular, 5-acre, oceanside property in Honolulu. It integrates a 14,000-square-foot house with multiple outbuildings, comprising a series of interlocking spaces, both indoors and out: rooms, courtyards, lanais, terraces, gardens and numerous water features. The property includes spaces for reflection and for gatherings. Historically operated exclusively as a museum to showcase some of its collection of 4,500 objects from diverse Muslim cultures, Shangri La is in the midst of a strategic transformation that envisions the institution as a global center for personal and societal transformation. Shangri La is owned and operated by the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), whose mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. We work across three areas: arts & culture, nature, and health & well-being. In addition to Shangri La, DDF operates five national programs as well as Duke Farms, a New Jersey-based center for applied conservation and sustainability. Headquartered in New York City, DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. To learn more, visit www.dorisduke.org.

POSITION

The Conservation Technician supports the preservation and care of Shangri La’s historic art collection and exhibitions in a setting that includes museum interiors, outdoor spaces and an active calendar of programs, convenings and events. This position plays an integral role in advancing the mission of Shangri La by ensuring the long-term stability, safety and accessibility of the collection. Through hands‑on conservation work, documentation and preventive care, the Conservation Technician helps safeguard cultural assets for current and future audiences and enables their thoughtful integration into Shangri La’s programming. Success requires practical problem‑solving, close collaboration with colleagues and an understanding that collections care supports Shangri La’s broader role as a place for cultural engagement and exchange.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Conservation and Collections Care

• Carry out preventive conservation tasks including cleaning, dusting and vacuuming of collection objects made from a range of materials, such as metal, wood, stone, plaster, ceramics, glass, paper andtextiles in accordance with conservation protocols.
• Follow established collections-handling procedures, sharing observations or concerns with supervisors to support alignment with professional conservation standards.
• Assist with conservation treatments of objects for display, loan, storage and research purposes.
• Assist with photo and video shoot supervision, pre‑construction preparation and other related tasks.
• Collaborate with Content & Engagement and Operations colleagues to support cross‑functional activities including events, exhibitions and artist residencies, coordinating collection care and on‑site programs through proactive communication and problem‑solving.

Documentation, Systems and Tools

• Monitor and document the condition of museum interiors and collections regularly, with a focus on environmental controls and pest management programs.
• Maintain inventory, conservation equipment and supplies to ensure availability, safe use and functionality for ongoing work.
• Accurately document the condition of objects and treatment processes in The Museum System (TMS) database, maintaining complete, current and standardized records.
• Support the Conservator by establishing and maintaining shared work plans to support cross‑functional collaboration and planning.
• Participate in team, department and foundation‑wide meetings, including monthly and weekly staff meetings.

Safety Standards

• Follow workplace health and safety standards in all conservation workspaces, and handle materials in accordance with preservation policies and established practices.
• Support the safe handling, protection and relocation of objects.
• Perform other work, including special projects, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Hands‑on experience with object cleaning and minor treatments under supervisionrequired. A degree or certificate in conservation, museum studies, art history or a related field is a plus.

Knowledge of preventive conservation practices, materials and handling techniques for diverse object types.

Familiarity with environmental monitoring and pest management strategies in a museum or collection care setting.

Proficiency in collections management software (preferably TMS) or ability to learn it.

Strong analytical, problem‑solving and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.

Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with excellent interpersonal skills.

Experience in physically handling historical materials.

Ability to physically perform hands‑on collection care duties in indoor and outdoor settings, including areas without climate control and conditions involving heat and humidity.

Duties include standing, walking and sitting for extended periods, traversing the 5-acre property with uneven terrain, navigating flights of stairs, working in storage environments, and lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.

Flexibility to work a varying schedule, including weekends, special events and emergency situations.

Ability to support multiple projects simultaneously.

A collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach to protecting collections while supporting their role in programs, convenings and events.

Ability to adapt work plans to changing on‑site needs while maintaining conservation and safety standards.

Sound judgment, high integrity and discretion at all times.