Collections Care Technician (PT, 5hrs/wk)

Primary Function: The Collections Care Technician is responsible for collections housekeeping, and weekend/holiday gallery checks. This position works closely with the conservation, collections management, exhibition, guest and protection services, and facilities teams. 

The Collections Care Technician reports to the Senior Director of Conservation and additionally works under the guidance of the Senior Conservation Coordinator at both the Barnes Foundation and at Calder Gardens.

Job Qualifications 

• BS, BA, or BFA in art history, studio art, art conservation, or similar field is desired
• Experience at an intern or technician level working in a collections care role
• Excellent hand skills and detail oriented
• Basic knowledge of preservation best practices
• Good understanding and judgment in the handling of art objects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well with others as well as to work independently

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 90%+ 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 time on the computer.

Communication Requirements:   

• Clearly communicate in person, by phone, 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 and on the campus of Calder Gardens.

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

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform collections housekeeping tasks on a weekly basis between 8–10:30 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings prior to the opening of the Barnes and Calder Garden galleries to the public.
• Inspect and adjust Barnes collection objects that may require repositioning resulting from visitor collection contacts.
• Prepare daily reports to an internal gallery distribution list that summarizes collections and facilities housekeeping work completed, adjustment to objects as reported by guest and protection services and as observed by the technician in the Barnes permanent collection and special exhibition galleries and Calder Garden galleries, and any additional observations for temperature, relative humidity, and lighting.
• Perform limited data entry in the collections database, Gallery Systems, The Museum System (TMS) and assist in preparing other conservation records, as requested.
• Assists with emergency and disaster preparedness and response for collections, if needed.
• Maintain an inventory of housekeeping supplies and equipment in a clean, safe, and professional manner.

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.