Position at Horniman Museum

Conservator (Ethnography Re-envisioned Project)
Collections Conservation and Care
Horniman Museum and Gardens

Fixed term contract till March 2015, full-time

UKP25,203 - UKP27,826 per annum pro-rata

Responsible to: Head Collections Conservation and Care

Liaises with: Collections Conservation and Care, Ethnography
Re-envisioned Project team, Collections Management, Curatorial
staff, exhibitions, and other staff as required

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is offering a full-time contract
ending March 2015 to concentrate on condition reporting, conserving
and preparing objects as part of an Arts Council (ACE) funded
project to review the ethnography collections.

The post will mainly be based at the Horniman Study Collections
Centre (SCC) in North Greenwich. This is an excellent opportunity
for an experienced and enthusiastic objects conservator to work with
our internationally significant ethnography collections.

Applicants should have a good range of post-qualification practical
experience which encompasses the care, documentation and treatment
of a wide-range of organic and inorganic objects in a museum
environment.

Main purpose of Job: To assist the Head of Collections Conservation
and Care with condition reporting, conserving and preparing objects
from the ethnography collections as part of the Arts Council funded
Ethnography Re-envisioned project. To maintain and develop the high
standard of environmental and physical care necessary to ensure the
preservation of the collections for the future benefit of the
public.

Main responsibilities:

Collections Care and Management (70%)

    Undertake conservation assessments, condition reports and
    conservation and repair of objects as required and within agreed
    work plans.

    Assist with environmental monitoring and assessment of
    conditions as affects the collections.

    Assist the Head with the decision-making and monitoring process
    regarding object conservation priorities and specimen care
    programmes, consulting and collaborating with Ethnography
    Re-envisioned Project team, collections management, curatorial
    staff and external specialists as necessary.

    Advise and, where necessary, train appropriate staff on required
    conservation procedures in the handling, movement, transport,
    packing, unpacking and storage of Museum specimens.

    Liaise with Ethnography Re-envisioned project team to ensure
    objects are photographed appropriately.

Record Keeping, Compliance with Legislation (15%)

    Carry out all duties in the Section's Work room, Laboratory and
    other work areas in accordance with the Health and Safety at
    Work Act, COSHH and other statutory requirements.

    Assist in the operation of the Horniman's pest control strategy,
    in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH, and
    other statutory requirements and agreed safe working practices.

    Be involved with the development and implementation of MIMSYxg,
    the Horniman's computerised documentation system; operate and
    maintain conservation documentation.

Resources Management (5%)

    Assist the Head of Collections Conservation and Care in
    operating the departmental budget by contributing to the
    preparation of estimates.

    Represent and feedback to the Section on Ethnography
    Re-envisioned Project team meetings.

    Contribute as required to the ordering and procurement of goods
    and equipment and to the maintenance of departmental files and
    records of equipment, stock etc.

    Assist as required with the supervision of conservation
    students, researchers and volunteers working on the collections.

Research and Professional Development (5%)

    Research and evaluate different methods and ranges of technical
    treatment for objects in the ethnography collections, such as
    the identification of materials; produce authoritative reports,
    articles etc based on research.

    Contribute to the activities of the Horniman through the
    website, publication and dissemination of conservation-related
    research, lectures and seminars; improve existing museum
    research resources and develop links with external institutions.

    Develop personal skills and expertise by attending appropriate
    conferences, seminars, courses and undertaking further training
    as recommended by Head Collections Conservation and Care and
    under the staff appraisal scheme.

    Interface with the Public (5%)

    Contribute to the outreach activities of the Department through:
    projects at the Study Collections Centre, the Collections
    Conservation and Care department and the Learning Department,
    providing short inductions on the Ethnography Re-envisioned
    Project. Contribute pages to the Horniman website on the
    conservation component of the Ethnography Re-envisioned Project,
    particularly relating to the conservation treatment of specific
    objects.

Standard CRB Disclosure required for this role

Person Specification:

Essential

    Possess a degree in conservation or another recognised course in
    conservation.

    Have a good range of post qualification experience which
    encompasses the treatment, care and documentation of a wide
    range of organic and inorganic objects in a museum environment.

    Demonstrate experience of using standard laboratory procedures
    and safe working practices

    Be able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and have
    experience of operating as a flexible team member. Have the
    ability to respect the professional viewpoint of other members
    of staff.

    Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills,
    which enable the post holder to liaise effectively with
    colleagues both within and outside of the organisation

    Demonstrate ability to be methodical and able to undertake
    routine tasks, within tight deadlines.

    Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative and to plan and
    implement small projects

    Have an understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of
    equal opportunities as they relate to the role

Desirable:

    A good range of post qualification experience

The closing date for completed application forms is Friday 3 August
2012 at Noon.  Interviews will be held on Friday 17 August at the
SCC in North Greenwich.

For more information visit

    <URL:http://www.horniman.ac.uk/about/jobs>

Application forms should be emailed to vacancy<-at->horniman<.>ac<.>uk

Unfortunately CVs cannot be accepted.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:7
                   Distributed: Monday, July 9, 2012
                        Message Id: cdl-26-7-024
                                  ***