Position at Wallace Collection

Assistant Conservator - Frames and Furniture
The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is a collection of the fine and decorative
arts formed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by four
successive Marquesses of Hertford and the 4th Marquess's son, Sir
Richard Wallace. It was left to the British Nation in 1897 and
opened as a national museum in June 1900 in Hertford House,
Manchester Square, W1, a grade II listed building in central London.
The museum is internationally famous for its collection of French
eighteenth-century art, European princely arms and armour and for
its Old Master paintings.

It is managed by a Director who reports to a board of Trustees
appointed by the Prime Minister and is financed by a combination of
grant-in-aid from central government and self-generated income.

The museum launched a Ten Year Plan in the autumn of 2013 covering
the period 2014-2024.  During this decade, the museum will aim to
develop its position as a major international research centre, to
widen its public appeal to different audiences and to modernise its
infrastructure.  It is intended that the research centre will enable
the Wallace Collection to become the leading centre for research on
French eighteenth-century art and European arms and armour.

The Conservation Department presently consists of a Head of
Conservation, one senior Furniture Conservator, one Metals
Conservator and a Conservation Craftsman/Technician.  The Department
carries out both furniture and metals-related conservation work
in-house, monitors environmental conditions within the building, and
is responsible for the safe moving of all art-objects in the
Collection, including the installation and de-installation of
temporary exhibitions.

The aims of the Conservation Department are as follows: to safeguard
the Collection, making it accessible for the present generation and
preserving it for the future; to carry out research with the aim of
improving the standard and practice of conservation and the display
of works of art, whilst adding to our knowledge of their original
design and construction; to help maintain Hertford House and its
services, ensuring a safe environment for the display of all works
of art in the Collection

Overall objectives of the post: The post-holder will work as a
member of a small team, in general support of the Conservation
Department, assisting primarily the Senior Furniture Conservator and
Conservation Craftsman/Technician in carrying out conservation
treatments on our very important collection of gilt-wood picture
frames and historic furniture (including metal furniture mounts and
some sculpture).  It is therefore vital that the candidate has
experience of gilt wood and gilding conservation, together with
cabinet-making and furniture conservation in general.  It is
additionally of the utmost importance that the candidate be
physically capable of helping in the installing and de-installing of
exhibitions, as well as general art-object handling throughout the
Collection.

Specific responsibilities:

    Undertake the conservation of picture frames, furniture, and
    other works of art in the Collection as required, under the
    direction of the Head of Conservation, Conservators, and the
    Conservation Craftsman/Technician

    Working to a policy of minimum intervention, carry out
    conservation treatments to stabilize deterioration, and (where
    appropriate) undertake restoration to the highest possible
    standards, with continuous record-keeping (both photographic and
    written)

    Prepare full post-conservation reports, for approval by the Head
    of Conservation and the Head of Collections

    Assist as required in the specialist tasks of moving furniture,
    pictures, and other art-objects for gallery display, for
    photography, and for general study

    Assist in the mounting and de-mounting of special exhibitions

    Work within current Health and Safety regulations

    Assist in performing any miscellaneous duties which may require
    to be carried out by the staff of the Conservation Department

Person specification: Applicants should have completed a relevant
conservation training course and should be in possession of an
appropriate conservation qualification.  Previous experience within
the field of frames, furniture, and gilded wood conservation is
essential.  A key factor in the selection process is the candidate's
commitment to work not only on frames and furniture, but also in
all/any general areas of work in the museum, and to develop as
broad-based a work experience as possible.  The role will require
frequent lifting/moving of heavy objects. In addition to the
required technical skills, the post-holder will also need to have:

    A proactive, can-do attitude
    The ability to work as a member of a small team
    An ability to learn quickly on the job
    The physical ability to lift and move heavy objects
    Confidence and ability whilst working at heights
    Flexibility and a proven ability to 'multi-task'
    Excellent written and spoken communications skills in English
    Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Office

Reporting to:  Head of Conservation
Key relationships:

    Director
    Head of Collections
    Head of Conservation
    Senior Furniture Conservator and Conservation
        Craftsman/Technician
    Curators
    Curatorial Assistant

Remuneration: The salary for this post will be in the region of
UKP20,000 per annum depending on experience.  In addition, the
post-holder will receive 25 days paid annual leave, plus 2.5
'privilege' days, membership of an occupational pension scheme, and
an interest-free season-ticket loan (after six months' service).

For all posts in the Conservation Department the normal working week
is five days (Monday to Friday), and the normal working day is from
9am to 5pm, with an hour between 1.00 and 2.00pm for lunch. However,
some flexibility will be expected, since the need to carry out
occasional evening and (more rarely) weekend duties may be required.

Deadline for applications: 3 Oct 2014
Date of first interviews: w/c 13 Oct 2014

If you have not heard from us by the date of the first interview,
please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this
occasion.  An application form can be found and downloaded from

    <URL:http://www.wallacecollection.org>

Alternatively, you can write to the HR Department for a postal pack:

    The Wallace Collection
    Hertford House
    Manchester Square
    London W1U 3BN

The Wallace Collection is an equal opportunities employer

Saida Khanom
HR Manager
+44 20 7563 9544


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 28:16
               Distributed: Saturday, September 20, 2014
                       Message Id: cdl-28-16-018
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