Position at LACMA

Assistant Conservator, Watts Towers
Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Conservation Center of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is
seeking a temporary, full-time Assistant Conservator who will
contribute to the day-to-day care and maintenance of the Watts
Towers of Simon Rodia (Watts Towers State Historic Park, Los
Angeles, CA). The Watts Towers is a collection of 17 interconnected
structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet. The Towers
were built by Italian immigrant construction worker Sabato ("Sam" or
"Simon") Rodia in his spare time over a period of 33 years, from
1921 to 1954. The armatures of the structures are constructed from
steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh, coated with mortar
that is embedded with pieces of glass, tile, porcelain, and sea
shells. Working alone, Rodia built the structures entirely by hand
using no special equipment or predetermined design.

The Assistant Conservator will conduct daily condition checks and
take part in a comprehensive condition survey of the site. The
incumbent will contribute to research into treatment materials and
methods under the direction of the Conservation Center, and assist
with the development of stabilizing repairs.  The Assistant
Conservator will assist in supervision of volunteers and hourly
workers.  Work will also include data collection for various
monitoring programs and administrative tasks including (but not
limited to) office organization and supply sourcing. The incumbent
will report to the project Associate Conservator, and the project is
led by the Senior Conservation Scientist at the Conservation Center
at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Eligibility: Master's degree in art or architectural conservation,
or equivalent experience.  Good hand and research skills are
required. The successful candidate must be conversant with standard
software for writing reports and processing images; Photoshop and
FileMaker Pro experience desirable. Clear oral communication skills
and a desire to work cooperatively with curatorial, conservation and
scientific staff are essential.

Terms: The position is a six-month contract concluding at the end of
2011, with potential for renewal, and will be available beginning
July 1, 2011. Salary will be commensurate with experience.  A
competitive benefits package is provided.

Position is open until filled.

To apply:  Submit letter of intent, resume and the names and contact
information for three professional references to

    Gerrie Maloof
    Director of Human Resources
    The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
    Human Resources Department
    5905 Wilshire Boulevard
    Los Angeles, CA 90036
    Phone: 323-857-6067
    Fax: 323-857-4720
    jobs<-a t->lacma< . >org

with copies to

    Dr. Frank Preusser
    Senior Conservation Scientist
    Conservation Center
    LACMA
    fpreusser<-a t->lacma< . >org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:2
                  Distributed: Thursday, June 9, 2011
                        Message Id: cdl-25-2-024
                                  ***