Position at National September 11 Memorial and Museum

Head of Conservation Services
National September 11 Memorial and Museum

Position overview: Under the direction of the Vice President of
Collections / Chief Curator, the Head of Conservation Services
("HCS") is responsible for the physical integrity, overall care, and
treatment of the diverse material culture holdings of the 9/11
Museum's collection, which includes artifacts--many, exhibiting
damage sustained on 9/11; archeological fragments of the World Trade
Center, and other in situ historic building elements as well as
textiles, photographs, ephemera, works of art and digital media.  As
leader of the conservation team, this senior position provides both
strategic guidance and practical expertise about the collection's
long-term preservation.  The HCS will also be qualified to perform
conservation interventions appropriate to objects retaining
character as historical eye-witnesses.  Annually, he/she will
prepare and oversee the budget pertinent to the Museum's anticipated
conservation activities and facilities.

Essential functions: Advocates for the conservation needs of the
collection, and represents those needs and issues to colleagues
within the organization and to the larger Museum field.  Develops
and implements long-term strategies for the sustainability of the
Museum's holdings in compliance with the Museum's Collections
Management policy and professional best practices.  As the expert on
collections care and preservation strategies, the HCS plays an
active role in defining conditions, durations, and mounts suitable
for collection display.  Determines the appropriate handling,
stabilization and treatment options for collections objects in all
media, recommending and supervising work by outside conservators
when necessary.  This includes adherence to procedures for handling
items exposed to potentially hazardous materials on and after
September 11, 2001, in compliance with the Museum's internal
Operations and Maintenance plan.  Authors executive reports and
informational memoranda pertaining to vulnerable collection items.
Manages projects involving, or likely to impact the in-situ
archeological structures of the World Trade Center.  Monitors
protocols in place for the care of collections materials and
proactively recommends changes to those policies, as needed.
Supervises the work of the Assistant Conservator and consulting
conservators retained for specialized object assessments and
treatments.  Works closely with collections management, curatorial,
exhibition, and facilities/operations personnel.

Qualifications/Skills Requirements:

    A degree from a recognized professional graduate program in
    conservation or preservation

     Minimum of 7-10 years of bench conservation and administrative
     experience working with museum-quality objects and historical
     media

    Conservation experience should be broad and not limited to a
    single medium

    Advanced knowledge of conservation ethics, principles,
    techniques, and procedures, as well as awareness of and
    commitment to professional museum best practices

    Familiarity with personal protective equipment and methods for
    working with hazardous materials

    Expert knowledge of preventive practices for stabilizing and
    extending the physical well-being of wide-ranging collections,
    include mitigating external risks, optimal storage methods and
    materials, and monitoring environmental conditions that may
    impact collections

    Ability to write clearly and concisely, and to perform well
    under tight time constraints if necessary

    Substantive experience as a manager of conservation staff,
    interns, fellows, art handlers, installers and mount-makers

    The incumbent should be detail oriented, flexible and
    resourceful; a team player who embraces the collaborative
    benefits of museum work while excelling as a manger of his/her
    independent museum projects and assignments

For more information, interested and qualified individuals are
encouraged to visit:

    <URL:http://www.911memorial.org/job-opportunities>

Maureen C. Merrigan
Assistant Conservator
National September 11 Memorial and Museum
200 Liberty Street, 16th Floor
New York NY 10281
911memorial.org
646-757-5552
Mobile: 914-462-2461


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:44
                   Distributed: Friday, April 8, 2016
                       Message Id: cdl-29-44-035
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