Position at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
de Young
Legion of Honor

Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco CA 94118
415-750-7679
Fax: 415-750-3623
kferguson<-at->famsf<.>org
famsf.org

Associate Objects Conservator
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are seeking an Associate
Objects Conservator.  Under the supervision of the Head Objects
Conservator, the Associate Objects Conservator takes part in the
day-to-day operation of the Objects Conservation Department at the
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  In this capacity they assist
with departmental responsibilities for the preservation and
conservation of outdoor and indoor sculpture, decorative arts
objects, furniture, ethnographic and archaeological materials, and
period rooms at two museums.  This position includes the making and
supervision of seismic mounts and assisting with approximately 10
exhibitions per year containing objects.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

    Examination and Documentation of Artworks and Collections:
    Provides documentation of structure and condition through
    written reports and photographic documentation

    Curatorial Support: Provides technical information for labels,
    publications, and authentication.  Conducts research into
    materials, history of fabrication, artists' methods and
    scientific data on the properties of materials

    Conservation Treatment: Conducts all aspects of treatment of
    objects in adherence with the Code of Ethics and Standards of
    Practice of the American Institute for Conservation

    Installation: Collaborating with curatorial, installation,
    registration, security, and design staff, provides designs for
    mounting in a seismic region and executes installations of
    complicated mounts in conjunction with the chief mount maker

    Preventative Conservation: Monitors environmental conditions and
    conducts collection maintenance in storage, exhibition, and
    transit situations

    Loan Processing: Processes incoming and outgoing loans, assists
    in condition reporting for exhibitions, and performs courier
    duties as assigned

    Supervision: In the absence of, or at the direction of, the Head
    Objects Conservator, provides supervision and instruction for
    interns and volunteers

    Outreach: Fields inquiries from other professionals and the
    public.  Conducts tours and gives presentations as required.
    Helps create and give workshops to staff regarding the
    appropriate handling of objects

    Department Operation:  Performs all aspects of laboratory
    upkeep, including researching and ordering supplies, chemicals,
    and equipment, and the preparation and maintenance of materials.
    Communicates with the Health and Safety Officer about the safe
    handling and disposal of chemicals

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Master's Degree in Art Conservation with specialization
in objects conservation

Work Experience: At least five years post graduate museum
conservation experience.  Additional work in modern materials,
seismic mounts, and sculpture desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

    Thorough knowledge of artists' fabrications techniques, through
    time and across cultures, for objects and the properties of
    materials used in their construction

    Understanding of properties of art conservation materials and
    equipment and how to maintain them

    Considerable knowledge of art history

    Considerable knowledge of chemistry as it applies to art
    conservation

    Wide knowledge of historical and current practices of object
    conservation.  Familiarity with current conservation literature
    and standard conservation terminology

    Ability to perform a wide variety of conservation procedures
    with manual dexterity and sensitivity to materials

    Extensive experience in exhibitions conservation.  Ability to
    develop innovative solutions for treatment and installation of
    new and challenging media

    Experience in preventative conservation, including experience
    and knowledge of climate issues

    Strong interpersonal skills to achieve cross-functional teamwork

    Ability to communicate clearly both in verbal and written
    communication

    Concern for accuracy and efficient organization

    Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a highly
    demanding and fast-paced work environment where priorities
    change unpredictably

    Full knowledge of digital photography techniques

Working Conditions:

    Physical Demands.  Conservators are regularly required to more
    heavy objects, climb tall ladders and scaffolding, undertake
    treatments requiring repetitive movements, and work for extended
    periods at computer stations

    Special Environmental Factors.  The laboratory contains
    hazardous materials.  Sharp tools and mechanical equipment are
    also in use.  Conservators should be aware of the dangers
    inherent in the use of such equipment and materials

FAMSF offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package

Application Deadline: Open until filled

We accept online applications only.  To apply online, please visit:

    <URL:http://famsf.snaphire.com>

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are the city's largest public
arts institutions and comprise the de Young and the Legion of Honor
museums.  The de Young, designed by Herzog and de Meuron and located
in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through
the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and
costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa.  The
Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient
and European art including Auguste Rodin's The Thinker and houses
the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style
building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.

COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately
funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San
Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed
to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in
accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:41
                  Distributed: Sunday, March 13, 2016
                       Message Id: cdl-29-41-026
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