Exhibit Artist

City of Gastonia; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Gastonia, Gastonia, NC, seeks an intermediate technical position to assist in developing and evaluating natural history exhibits, including interactive, graphic, electronic, and model components for permanent, temporary, and traveling displays.

Under the Head of Interpretation, duties include planning exhibits, repairing and maintaining displays, preserving wildlife specimens, developing graphics, and creating interpretive scripts with a range of fabrication skills and tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art, industrial or theatrical design, or related field, with moderate exhibit-related experience.
• Knowledge of graphic design, exhibit fabrication, installation and maintenance.
• Valid NC driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Perform artistic and construction tasks for exhibit development (35%).
• Assist planning and development of new exhibits.
• Assist in repairs, renovations and maintenance of exhibits.
• Assist in preservation and mounting of birds, mammals, fish and reptiles.
• Assist in collection, preservation and reproduction of specimens for displays.
• Assist in development of graphics and labeling for exhibits.

Skills

Graphic arts

3D arts

Drawing

Sculpture

Fabrication

Power tools

Education

B.A. in Art/Design

Tools

Power tools

Welding equipment

Brazing

Job description

Performs intermediate technical work assisting with the development, creation, implementation, presentation and evaluation of innovative natural history exhibit products to include interactive, graphic, electronic, and model components that illustrate the museum’s educational mission through permanent, temporary and traveling displays; does related work as required. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Head of Interpretation.

• Performs a variety of artistic and construction functions in the development of an exhibit area; 35%
• Assists in the planning and development of new exhibits; 10%
• Assists in the repairs, renovates and maintains existing exhibits; 20%
• Assists in the preservation and mounting of various species of birds, mammals, fish and reptiles; 10%
• Assists in the collection, preservation and reproduction of various botanical, zoological and geological specimens for research, displays and dioramas; 15%
• Assist in the development of graphics and labeling for exhibits; 10%

Thorough knowledge of graphic and 3-dimensional arts; drawing, painting, screen printing, typesetting, sculpture, mold and model making; comprehensive knowledge in preservation, collection and reproduction of botanical, zoological, and geological specimens; comprehensive knowledge of construction of natural habitat dioramas including preliminary research, drawings, models, floral and faunal specimen preparation, groundwork, scenery and interpretive scripting; general knowledge of natural sciences; i.e. species identification, environments and in occasional care of live specimens; knowledge in construction skills and use of stationary and portable power tools, brazing and welding equipment, and pneumatic tools; thorough knowledge and creative use of fabrication materials including: fiberglass, resins, plastics, paints, plaster, wood, metals, paper, adhesives, and organic materials.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in art, industrial or theatrical design, or related field, and moderate experience in, graphic design, art, exhibit fabrication, installation and maintenance, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Valid driver’s license in the State of North Carolina.

CHECKLIST FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS, VISUAL ACUITY, AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical activity of this position includes:

A. Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

B. Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

C. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

D. Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

E. Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

F. Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

G. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

H. Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

I. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

J. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

K. Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

L. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

M. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

N. Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

O. Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.

P. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Q. Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.

R. Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position:

A. Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:

B. The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: (Check all of the following which apply): operate machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws and mills where seeing job is at or within arm’s reach; performs mechanical or skilled trades tasks of a non-repetitive nature such as carpenters, technicians, service people, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

A. The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

B. The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

C. The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

D. The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

E. The worker is required to wear respirator.

Drug screening, criminal background, and a POET (post offer employment testing) are required.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/H