Conservation Technician, PT (16 hours)

Primary Function: The Conservation Technician is responsible for assisting with collections maintenance, housekeeping, and remedial conservation treatment projects. This position works closely with the conservation, collections management, exhibition, guest and protection services, and facilities teams. The technician’s primary responsibilities focus on collections housekeeping, remedial frame conservation treatments, and collections maintenance of textiles including vacuuming, monitoring, and remediation of webbing clothes moths, as required. 

The Conservation Technician will report to the Senior Director of Conservation and additionally work under the guidance of the Conservator of Paintings and Senior Conservation Coordinator. The duties of the part-time position will be based at the Philadelphia campus but will include some routine tasks at Calder Gardens.

Job Qualifications 

• BS, BA, or BFA in art history, studio art, chemistry, art conservation, or equivalent 
• A minimum of two years’ experience in art conservation or collections care at an intern or technician level
• Excellent hand skills and detail oriented
• Basic knowledge of preservation and conservation best practices
• Basic knowledge and experience with photography and digital imaging for conservation documentation; working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop 
• Good understanding and judgment in the handling of art objects, especially as pertaining to collections care and photography
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well with others as well as to work independently
• Experience with collections management databases, especially Gallery System’s, The Museum System (TMS), highly desirable

Clearances:  Criminal Background-National

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:

• Approximately 50%+ of worked time is spent standing or moving around the work area. 
• Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of objects, files, equipment or supplies. 
• Ability to move to access objects, files, equipment, or supplies.

Vision Requirements:

• This position requires extended time on the computer

Communication Requirements:   

• Clearly communicate in person, by telephone, and by video conference. 
• Communicate with others in conversational and written English. 

Working Conditions: Position operates in the foundation’s buildings and on the foundation’s grounds at the Philadelphia campus with some responsibilities at the Calder Gardens campus.

• Position requires extended time on the computer.
• Position requires the ability to use small hand tools or brushes for extended time.
• Position will encounter dust.

Job Responsibilities:

• Housekeeping of objects in the Barnes galleries on a weekly basis, including vacuuming textiles and dusting frames on a rotating schedule; assist with housekeeping at Calder Gardens as requested.
• Perform remedial frame treatments under the supervision of the Conservator of Paintings; produce conservation documentation reports and digital images to enter into the collections management database, The Museum System (TMS).
• Support weekly and monthly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) walkthroughs of art exhibition and storage spaces and data entry for the Barnes and Calder Gardens campuses. 
• Assist the Senior Conservation Coordinator with scanning and filing digital and hardcopy conservation reports and photographic documentation.
• Assist with inspection and adjustment collection objects that may require repositioning resulting from visitor collection contacts in the Barnes galleries, assist registration team with monitoring filming and photography in the galleries, and assist with collection of environmental data (i.e., downloading dataloggers, changing hygrothermograph papers, and uploading data into e-Climate Notebook), as needed.
• On an annual basis, inventory conservation department chemical supplies and update Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the conservation laboratories at both the Merion and Philadelphia campuses.
• Assist with emergency and disaster preparedness and response for collections; support the Senior Conservation Coordinator to maintain an inventory of emergency supplies.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and professional workspace.
• Participates in lab tours and other outreach projects, as requested.
• Performs other duties, as requested.

Organization-Wide Competencies:

1. Accountability: 

a. Prepares for work assignments and meetings, 

b. Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through, 

c. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment.

2. Job Quality: 

a. Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position,

b. Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output, 

c. Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role.

3. Service: 

a. Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions. 

b. Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment in accordance with our Core Values. 

c. Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas.

4. Leadership: 

a. Sets a good example for others, 

b. Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication, 

c. Makes decisions. Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach.

5. Collaboration: 

a. Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making, 

b. Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests and others, 

c. Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. 

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.