Position at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Assistant/Associate Conservator
Paper Conservation Department
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world's finest museums,
seeks an Assistant/Associate Conservator in the Paper Conservation
Department.  This position undertakes a wide range of conservation
procedures on Western historic, modern and contemporary drawings,
prints; miniatures on vellum, paper and ivory; manuscript
illuminations on vellum, Islamic and Indian paintings, paintings on
palm leaf (individual leaves and bound albums), wallpaper and other
materials that are under the jurisdiction of the Paper Conservation
Department.  Conservation procedures include treatment, examination,
evaluating new acquisitions, condition checking of works entering
and leaving the Museum, surveying of works in the collection,
analysis and identification of materials and structure, by chemical
and instrumental means, to determine condition, authenticity, and
proposals for treatment and housing.  In addition, all works
conserved are photographed and electronically documented, discussed
with supervisor prior to treatment and initiate and assist with
approved research supporting technical art history, conservation
treatment, and preservation.  Ancillary conservation procedures
include but are not limited to laboratory management tasks
undertaken with other members of the department, such as
organization and maintenance of conservation supplies, equipment and
chemicals according to established safety procedures, preparing
chemical solutions, consolidants and adhesives for treatment,
obtaining product information, testing materials for treatment, and
preparation of materials for laboratory workshops.

This full-time position is scheduled to end on December 31, 2015.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

    The examination, analysis, documentation and treatment of
    assigned works of art

    Carrying out condition examination of works to be loaned, or on
    loan, or to be acquired

    Assisting in the management and maintenance of the laboratory
    including the preparation of chemical reagents and solutions

    Assisting in the housing and hinging of works of art

    Other related duties

Requirements and Qualifications:

Experience and Skills:

    Demonstrated excellence in performing complex conservation
    treatments

    Excellent manual skills

    Ability to maintain attention to detail and to sustain focus on
    long term projects.  High quality work as well as efficient use
    of time is valued

    Working knowledge of chemical and material sciences

    Knowledge of preservation standards for archival matting and
    housing, for environmental conditions

    Ability to use digital cameras and electronic resources in
    documenting treatment

    Ability to devise conservation strategies based on knowledge of
    materials, chemical processes, and aesthetic and ethical
    considerations

    In depth knowledge of the history of paper, papermaking,
    artists' materials and art history

    Ability to work effectively and constructively both
    independently and as part of a team, be attentive and engaged
    with laboratory activities

    Demonstrated interest in works of art, their fabrication and
    history, and aesthetic criteria in relation to individual's
    conservation projects

    Excellent verbal communication skills, excellent written
    communication skills

    Strong organizational skills, time management skills, including
    the ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines and achieve
    goals

    Ability to work cooperatively at all times with a large group of
    conservators and curators

    Willingness to accept supervision and guidance

    Attentiveness to conservation issues taking place in the
    laboratory

Knowledge and Education:

    A graduate degree in Conservation (a Masters or
    Certificate/Masters) from an accredited university, including
    course work in chemistry and material science

    Specialization in paper conservation in graduate level
    conservation studies, and in subsequent employment

    A minimum of two years post graduate internship or fellowship in
    paper conservation, or a minimum of five years of professional
    paper conservation experience, preferably in a museum
    conservation laboratory

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to
careers<-at->metmuseum<.>org with "Assistant/Associate Conservator/Paper
Conservation" in the subject line.  Please submit by June 5, 2015.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all
employees and applicants for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin,
ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or
citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status,
genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status,
gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category
protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not
limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and
apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading,
transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and
conditions of employment.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 28:48
                   Distributed: Friday, May 15, 2015
                       Message Id: cdl-28-48-016
                                  ***