Position at Cleveland Museum of Art

Conservation Technician
The Cleveland Museum of Art

Definition: The conservation technician for paintings and frames is
responsible for maintaining and monitoring the museum's collection,
with an emphasis on paintings, frames, and the Asian painting
collection.  He/She works under the immediate supervision of the
Senior Conservator of Paintings. As a member of the conservation
department, the technician is expected to participate in a proactive
fashion in the preservation of the museum's collection.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in fine arts from four-year
college or university; at least two to four years related experience
and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and
experience. Employee should be adept at handling works of art
according to the conservation handling guidelines and have knowledge
of the various specializations in the department in particular the
materials, techniques and treatment of paintings (including Asian
paintings) and frames.  Ability to hinge and mat works of art on
paper.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules,
operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to
speak effectively before groups of students, members of outside
organizations, employees of organization, or visiting scholars and
conservators.

Ability to define problems, collect and enter data, establish facts
and draw valid conclusions. Working knowledge of word processing and
data management systems.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions. Manual dexterity is
frequently required as duties call for the handling of artwork, and
operation of tools and equipment.  The employee must also be able to
communicate effectively and work successfully with others. Job
duties entail standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing,
bending and kneeling.

Responsibilities:

    Assists the Paintings and Asian Paintings Conservators in
    preparing works of art for storage, display or travel using
    museum quality materials and methods.  This includes but is not
    limited to: glazing and unglazing, framing and unframing
    paintings, backing and securing paintings in frames, unframing
    paintings for treatment or examination, cutting mats and hinging
    artwork including works of art on paper and textiles, preparing
    archival boxes for storage. Helps to prepare artwork for
    accessions committee meeting.

    Assists the Paintings and Asian Paintings Conservators with
    maintenance treatment and minor treatment under their
    supervision.

    Reviews overall installation schedules and exhibition schedules
    with other technicians to ensure work by technicians is done
    according to schedule.

    Maintains frames in the museum's collection. This includes frame
    repair, gilding and frame finishing. Advises and contracts
    outside framers and mount-makers when appropriate.

    Maintains the collection while on display by dusting on a daily
    and as-needed basis, cleans vitrines, dusts platforms,
    sculpture, furniture and frames. Downloads data on light levels,
    temperature and relative humidity when the environmental
    technician is unable to do so.

    Orders tools, supplies and equipment as needed. Responsible for
    the safe storage of works of art in the preparation spaces.
    This includes working with the other technicians to keep these
    spaces organized and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule.
    Orders tools, supplies and equipment as needed and upon approval
    from Chief Conservator.

    Ensures the safe installation of paintings in the permanent
    collection and loan items: this includes working with the head
    art handler on proper hanging hardware.

    Creates incoming and outgoing condition exams on frames for
    loan.

    Attends weekly meeting on art movement and facilitates movement
    for the conservation department.  Assists curators, conservators
    and other technicians with moving art to and from storage,
    galleries and within conservation. Tracks moves in collections
    management database.

    Communicates regularly with Painting Conservators and Asian
    Painting Conservator to ensure work flow is manageable and on
    track and that the highest museum standards are being realized
    in the care of the collections.  Keeps Chief Conservator up-to
    date with activities in the prep spaces. Confers with Senior
    Painting Conservator about any changes in work requirements and
    informs supervisor as soon as possible of any conflicts that
    interfere with work flow/schedule or which may affect proper
    procedures and preservation practices.

    Provides basic information on the preservation of the collection
    to staff and various museum visitors.  This may entail
    participating in more formal presentations and demonstrations.

    Couriers works of art to and from other institutions as needed.
    Participation in courier trips is contingent on the approval of
    supervisor.

    Pursues as needed and as possible relevant educational
    opportunities such as workshops and conferences.

    Checks with supervisor about personal or professional matters
    that may impact his or her ability to carry out the
    responsibilities outlined.

    Performs special projects and other duties as assigned by
    conservation staff and approved by supervisor.

Deadline for application: October 31, 2011

Send CV and letter of interest to resume<-a t->clevelandart< . >org or to the
attention of

    Human Resources Department
    11150 East Boulevard
    Cleveland Ohio 44106

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:17
                 Distributed: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-17-026
                                  ***