Senior Preparator

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston seeks a Senior Preparator to lead installations and assist with movement and packing of the collection. Under the Chief Preparator, you will manage large-scale installations and ensure safe transit of artworks across campus and storage facilities.

The role requires extensive professional museum experience in art handling, project leadership, and collaboration with conservation, photography, and curatorial staff.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of art handling, packing and installation procedures.
• Experience operating a box truck for deliveries (driver’s license required).
• Advanced experience with shop equipment, hand and power tools.
• Advanced experience operating and maintaining a forklift.
• Art rigging and strapping experience.
• Knowledge of archival materials for packing and storing art.
• Able to lift up to 75 lbs and perform physical tasks.
• Strong time management under deadlines.
• Willingness for weekend/evening work.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and communicate clearly.
• Project management experience (and staff supervision).
• Basic knowledge of museum database (TMS).

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale installations and plan projects with the Chief Preparator.
• Handle artwork at on-site and off-site locations for exhibit and storage.
• Pack/unpack artworks for exhibitions, storage, and transport.
• Record artwork location changes as needed.
• Prepare material/supply lists and coordinate with orderers.
• Assist related departments with art movement and handling.
• Represent MFAH as courier for installations/transport when needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of storage areas.
• Assist at Rienzi and Bayou Bend houses as needed.
• Mentor newer staff and lead special projects.

Skills

Art handling

Installation

Box truck operation

Shop tools

Forklift operation

Rigging & strapping

Archival packing materials

Lift up to 75lbs

Time management

Deadline pressure

Communication

Project management

TMS knowledge

Education

Associate’s or bachelor’s in related field

Six years in Preparations Dept.

Four years in art prep/installation experience

Job description

5601 Main St
Houston, TX 77005, USA

Description

Job Summary

The Preparations Department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston seeks applicants for a qualified Senior Preparator. Under direct supervision by the Chief Preparator, the Senior Preparator will lead installations and assist with collection storage, packing, crating, and safe transit of the museum’s collection. This senior level position requires extensive knowledge and proven experience at the professional museum level with all aspects of art handling.

Responsibilities:

• Works closely with Chief Preparator with the planning of large-scale installations and leads installations as assigned
• Handles artwork at all museum (on and off-campus) locations for exhibit and storage
• Packs and unpacks artwork for exhibitions, permanent collection storage, transportation around museum campus and for local pickups/deliveries
• Records location changes when artwork is moved
• Oversees and composes material/supply lists for the Preparations department; Once a supply list is created, Senior Preparator then gives the list to the Associate Preparator for ordering (must obtain permission from Manager before ordering)
• Assists Photography, Conservation, Registration, and Matting & Framing departments with art movement
• When necessary, represents MFAH at other institutions as a courier for installations and transport
• Maintains cleanliness, neatness and organization of artwork in museum storage areas
• Assists at Rienzi and Bayou Bend house museums, as needed
• Assists visiting scholars and curatorial as requested for collection viewing/examination
• Assumes a leading role for special projects and assignments
• Mentors newer staff as necessary

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of art handling, packing and installation techniques/procedures
• Experience and ability operating box truck for deliveries (valid driver’s license required)
• Advanced experience using shop equipment, hand and power tools
• Advanced experience operating and maintaining a forklift
• Art rigging and strapping experience required
• In-depth knowledge of current practices and procedures using museum approved archival materials for packing and storing art
• Must be able to safely lift up to 75lbs and to perform a variety of physical tasks involving lifting, bending, stooping and moving heavy and large items
• High degree of time and resource management with the ability to work under tight deadlines
• Weekend and evening work as required
• Proven ability to prioritize multiple tasks based on need and deadline
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and professionally communicate clear thoughts, orally and written
• Ability to successfully manage a project (and staff) with a clear goal
• Basic knowledge of museum database (TMS) for recording art location changes

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field strongly desired OR an equivalent combination of experience and education from which comparable and demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Minimum of six years’ service in the Preparations Department and/or dependent on job performance
• Minimum of four (4) years of verifiable experience in the preparation, fabrication, installation, packing, storing and care and handling of valuable art objects; and working closely with museum staff at a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics outlined here represent the requirements that an employee must meet to successfully execute the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations will be considered upon request to support all candidates in performing these essential functions, ensuring full consideration.

• Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, strenuous lifting/moving objects up to 75 pounds, in tandem with colleagues, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Position requires use of hands to safely handle and move art objects according to the most current approved museum standards. Position periodically requires standing for prolonged periods of time. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
• Work Environment: The majority of work will be performed in an office, workshop or museum gallery environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Work requires periodic transport of packed art works and exhibition furniture and equipment to and from local off-site storage facilities. Position may require some travel. Occasional evening and weekend work may also be required.
• Regular attendance on campus required. This role is not eligible for telework arrangements.

More About The Organization:

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston functions as an integrated visual arts experience centered in one of the nation’s great cities. Counted amongst North America’s largest museums, MFAH has permanent collections spanning more than 6,000 years of history with an encyclopedic collection of more than 70,000 works of art and a wide range of media from six continents. The main campus encompasses 14 acres in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, with buildings contributed by world-renowned architects housing permanent collections; 450,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition spaces; a variety of horticultural features and visually stunning gardens, fountains and outdoor exhibition areas; restaurants and arts-themed retail shops; school, classrooms, research and lecture hall facilities; archives, libraries and conservation facilities; and administrative offices.

Houston stands among America’s largest cities by population and area, is diverse racially and ethnically, and is an economic powerhouse with a very strong arts ecosystem that attracts over 7 million visitors alone to the Museum District where MFAH is centered. MFAH employs over 600 staff members funded solely by MFAH. 400 docents support the educational mission, and 1,500 volunteers support a broad range of MFAH activities.

Work and Culture at the MFAH - Benefits Offered

• MFAH subsidized Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance,
• MFAH paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance,
• MFAH Retirement Savings Plan (403b) with employer match
• Tax Deferred Flexible Spending Plans
• Free Museum Family Level Membership
• Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: [e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.