Supervisory Chief Conservator.

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution seeks a Supervisory Chief Conservator to lead a diverse team of conservators in the Laboratory and HMSG. The role focuses on directing conservation activities, mentoring staff, and ensuring high standards in examinations, treatments, and documentation of art objects.

You will supervise professionals, coordinate conservation programs, and manage safety and equipment maintenance while developing annual budgets and procurement for lab needs.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in Federal Service.
• Experience examining and treating fine art objects.
• Experience documenting object conditions and conservation treatments.
• Experience monitoring environmental conditions and identifying risks to collections.
• Experience supervising conservation staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise the activities of the professional, para-professional, and technical staff in the lab, delegating work, tracking progress, and establishing priorities as necessary in line with museum programs.
• Perform a full range of technical examinations of works of art to identify their structure and components, their condition, and/or conduct appropriate treatment according to your conservation specialty.
• Establish procedures and direct work related to the examination, documentation handling and movement of objects in preparation for acquisition, loan, exhibition within the lab and during installation periods.
• Manage the conservation laboratory and its programs: safety, equipment maintenance, and education.
• Develop and monitor annual budgets for the lab, oversee procurement for all conservation equipment, including identifying needs for contract and fellow/interns to support work of the lab.

Skills

Supervising staff

Conservation treatment

Documenting conditions

Environmental monitoring

Budget management

Job description

Duties

The Supervisory Chief Conservator supervises and manages a professional team of conservators who hold experience in areas such as paper, photographs, paintings, variable media, sculpture, and installations. In addition, the Chief Conservator plans, directs, and coordinates conservation activities of the Laboratory and leads professional staff in carrying out the objectives of the conservation laboratory and the HMSG.

In This Position, You Will

• Manage and supervise the activities of the professional, para-professional, and technical staff in the lab, delegating work, tracking progress, and establishing priorities as necessary in line with museum programs.
• Perform a full range of technical examinations of works of art to identify their structure and components, their condition, and/or conduct appropriate treatment according to your conservation specialty.
• Establish procedures and direct work related to the examination, documentation handling and movement of objects in preparation for acquisition, loan, exhibition within the lab and during installation periods.
• Manage the conservation laboratory and its programs: safety, equipment maintenance, and education.
• Develop and monitor annual budgets for the lab, oversee procurement for all conservation equipment, including identifying needs for contract and fellow/interns to support work of the lab.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience examining and treating fine art objects; documenting object conditions and conservation treatments; monitoring environmental conditions and identifying potential risks to collections; managing project budgets; and supervising and/or mentoring conservation staff.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with