Lead Preparator and Print Shop Technician

Whatcom Museum; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Holidays

PTO – paid time off

SIMPLE IRA Savings Plan

Job summary

The Whatcom Museum Foundation is seeking a Lead Preparator and Print Shop Technician to join the Exhibitions Department in Bellingham, WA. The role involves installing and maintaining both permanent and temporary exhibitions, and managing printing and didactics with a small team.

You will work closely with the Director of Exhibitions and curators, fabricate custom displays, and ensure safety and best practices in all installation activities. This is a full-time, onsite position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in art, art history, education, anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, construction or related field.
• Five years of experience in museum fabrication, gallery installation, carpentry, or architecture.
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs. and work on ladders and scaffolding.
• Experience with site-specific installation and working with artists.

Responsibilities

• Install and maintain exhibitions and didactics with a small team.
• Construct walls, pedestals, vitrines, and mounting structures.
• Operate and troubleshoot lighting, AV equipment, and printing processes.
• Collaborate with curators and artists to resolve design and installation details.
• Ensure safety, order, and best practices in all exhibition activities.

Education

Bachelor's degree in art-related field or museum studies

Five years' experience in museum fabrication/construction/art handling

Self-direction, attention to detail, clear communication

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Plotters/large-format printing

Graphics mounting

Matting and framing

Carpentry tools & safety equipment

Job description

Lead Preparator and Print Shop Technician

Whatcom Museum Foundation

Department: Exhibitions

Classification: Non-exempt, hourly, full-time at 30 hours weekly

Bargaining Unit: Teamsters Local 231

Rate of Pay: $29.11 per hour DOE

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, holidays, PTO, SIMPLE IRA Savings Plan

Location: Onsite at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington

Application Deadline: November 1, 2026

ABOUT THE WHATCOM MUSEUM

The Whatcom Museum serves as a bridge among diverse people, ideas, and traditions by fostering curiosity and joy about our world. We do this through exhibitions, events, educational programs, and collections reflective of the art, nature, Indigenous cultures, and history of our region and beyond. The Whatcom Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), accredited through the American Alliance of Museums, and a Smithsonian Affiliate.

The Whatcom Museum campus includes three buildings in downtown Bellingham's Arts District, holding art, nature, and Northwest history, with over 70,000 visitors annually. The Old City Hall building houses permanent and long-term exhibitions featuring Pacific Northwest industry and local and natural history. The Lightcatcher Building showcases rotating art exhibitions, The People of the Sea and Cedar gallery, the Family Interactive Gallery, and educational rooms. The Old Fire Station No. 1 building houses extensive photo archives.

The Whatcom Museum acknowledges that we gather on the traditional territory of the Lhaq'temish (Lummi People) and the Nuxwsá7aq (Nooksack People), who have lived in the Coast Salish region from time immemorial. The Museum honors our relationship with all of our Coast Salish neighbors and our shared responsibilities to their homeland where we all reside today.

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Preparator works within the Exhibitions Department and directly with the museum's Director of Exhibitions and Curator(s) to install and maintain permanent and temporary exhibitions both onsite and off, and develops, installs, and maintains exhibition didactics. This position requires significant building experience; technical knowledge of exhibition execution, A/V installation, and printing; experience developing site-specific exhibition work with artists; and independent judgment to coordinate activities related to the Museum's collections and exhibitions.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

Reports to the Director of Exhibitions and works closely with the Director of Collections and corresponding teams. Under the supervision of the Director of Exhibitions, coordinates the activities of work study employees, volunteers, and student interns assigned to exhibition installation. Works independently under the guidance of Museum policies and procedures, adhering to all relevant city, state, and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines. After 90 days, the Exhibitions and Collections departments will assess supervisory communications and workflow; this may lead to reporting to the Exhibition Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works with the Director of Exhibitions and within an exhibitions prep team of two to handle and install artwork and cultural artifacts aligned with accredited museum best practices
• Constructs walls, pedestals, object mounts, exhibition environments, interpretive panels, wall text, and didactics
• Installs and deinstalls physical configurations and support systems for exhibition displays, storage, and traveling exhibitions
• Works with the Collections Department to transport, clean, pack, mount, frame, and care for the Museum's collections per best practices
• Works with the Photo Archivist to print orders when needed
• Photographs collection objects and exhibition loans for documentation and publication
• Prepares galleries for installation, including patching, painting, building, fabricating, and developing temporary walls
• Maintains the preparator shop, print shop, and specialty fabrication spaces, including safety, organization, and cleanliness
• Executes large-scale printing and fabrication for temporary and permanent exhibitions
• Installs and repairs audio-visual equipment in galleries
• Positions lighting and troubleshoots lighting for exhibitions
• Designs, fabricates, and installs custom vitrines, pedestals, and packing materials
• Works with exhibiting artists and curators to resolve complex design and construction from verbal or minimal written instructions
• Oversees tool maintenance and recommends specialty tools for the Director of Exhibitions' review
• Transports equipment, supplies, and artifacts between museum buildings; may drive across the greater region to pick up and deliver exhibition materials
• Plans and prepares pathways and storage areas for object movement before installation and deinstallation
• Works professionally with cultural workers, stakeholders, students, volunteers, interns, and staff, aligned with accredited museum best practices
• Proficiency in audio/video editing software
• Office and computer skills for professional communication, research, and online ordering
• General and finish carpentry standards, practices, methods, and materials
• Climbs ladders and scaffolding; safely uses and maintains hand and power tools, paints, chemicals, and graphic-fabrication equipment; physically and safely performs all required duties, including moving art and artifacts

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Onsite in museum exhibition spaces, the prep shop, and the print shop across several buildings. May work in awkward positions and on ladders and scaffolding. Schedule follows exhibition installation needs and may include some evenings and weekends. This position requires lifting 50+ lbs. of equipment, supplies, and art.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Standing for long periods of time
• Climbing tall ladders
• Experience working with artists on large-scale and site-specific installation
• Ability to lift, move, and transfer 50+ lbs.
• Experience installing 2D and 3D artwork and artifacts
• Intermediate to advanced carpentry experience
• Experience with plotters, large-format printing, and graphics mounting
• Matting and framing experience
• Intermediate to advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills
• Ability to initiate and follow through on project implementation and completion
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate productively and professionally, with self-direction, attention to detail, clear communication, and adaptability to changing timelines and installation scenarios
• Pass a criminal records check prior to hire
• Valid driver's license and proof of a good driving record prior to hire

Education and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in art, art history, education, anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, construction or construction technology, set design, or a related field, AND three years' experience or equivalent training in museum work through fabrication, architecture, construction, gallery installation, carpentry, or art handling
• Five years' experience in a museum, fabrication shop, gallery installation, art handling, construction, carpentry, or architecture
• A combination of the above totaling five years of full-time experience

BENEFITS

This position receives a comprehensive benefits package including PTO, paid holidays, and medical, dental, and vision insurance. This position may participate in the SIMPLE IRA Savings Plan once eligibility requirements are met.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

The Whatcom Museum Foundation is committed to workplace integrity and supports equal opportunity employment regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or disability status.