Preventive Conservation Technician

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.

Winterthur employs a wide array of positions in the areas of curatorial, horticulture, education, conservation, library, maintenance, marketing, development, technology, and administration.

Winterthur offers a unique and rewarding experience that is rich in culture and natural beauty. Winterthur considers its employees and volunteers to be among its greatest assets and welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute their specific skills to its mission “to inspire, enlighten, and delight all of its visitors while preserving and enhancing [Winterthur]” and also uphold its core values of agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Preventive Conservation Technician is primarily responsible for implementing preventive conservation practices in collection spaces and areas adjacent under the guidance of the Preventive Team Leadership (Associate Preventive Conservator, the Coordinator of Preventive Care/Lighting Design and the Lead Preventive Conservation Tech). These practices include but are not necessarily limited to preventive maintenance and cleaning of objects, historic architecture, and associated exhibition furniture; cleaning of restrooms within collection areas; pest monitoring; environmental monitoring; collection emergency preparedness and response; conservation lighting; providing study aids (folding stool setups, moving blankets and study lights) for teaching workshops; general awareness of all activity in collection areas. The Technician works as part of a team under the primary supervision of the Associate Preventive Conservator.

Compensation: 18.00 per hour

Benefits:  Including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid time off plan including 10 holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time; 403b with employer match for eligible employees; discounts in the museum store and cafe; free general admission for you and your immediate family

Work Schedule:  Tuesday – Saturday, 35 hours/week

Responsibilities:

1.      Observe, monitor, and address (as appropriate) general conditions, environmental conditions, pest activity, security concerns, lighting conditions, and other conditions which put collection objects at risk within assigned areas of the museum, galleries, and storage. Carry out preventive conservation cleaning of these collections and spaces.

2.      Under the guidance of Preventive Team Leadership, support all collection emergency preparedness and response efforts. Participate in team activities and training as assigned. Be a first responder while on duty in collection areas. On an annual basis, help inventory and maintain emergency response supplies and replenish depleted kit supplies after any incident.

3.      Assisting with maintenance of lighting systems in the museum, galleries, and storage areas.

4.      The Preventive Conservation Technicians are assigned additional responsibilities throughout the year and as projects come and go. Including but not limited to:

1. Coverage of assigned areas belonging to other team members when they are out sick or on vacation.
2. Assisting the Lighting Designer with implementation of lighting plans for rotating exhibits in the galleries and museum rooms.
3. Assist with Yuletide display set ups
4. Assisting conservators, curators, and registrars with collections related projects.
5. Candle bulb creation: replacement, and maintenance.
6. Block maintenance, deep cleaning of collection spaces both of objects and maintenance of the lighting system
7. Seasonal care of outdoor objects, e.g., chandeliers and historic architecture
8. Assist in mentoring and working with an undergraduate intern.

5.      Preventive Conservation Technicians are encouraged to subspecialize in a combination of the following areas:

1. Pest eradication practices – Monitor and maintain the CO2 chamber as the operator under the supervision of the Associate Preventive Conservator.
2. Lighting system operation and maintenance under the supervision of the Lighting Designer.
3. Assist the Lead Preventive Technician in maintaining inventory of CEP supplies that have been deployed throughout collection areas.
4.  Assist in preparing objects for storage under the supervision of Associate Preventive Conservator and Registrars.
5. Assist in preparing objects for shipment under the supervision of Registrars.
6. Assist with the preparation of materials samples for ODDY Testing under the supervision of Associate Preventive Conservator.
7. Assist with Care in Handling as well as Care in Collections training for new staff and contractors as needed, under the supervision of Collections Staff Training Curriculum Committee.
8. Garden object maintenance under the supervision of Object Conservator.

6.   Support rotating exhibition, tour, and teaching activities in the museum and galleries.

7.   After care and handling training, object movement and handling as it relates to daily work activities. As needed, assist Conservators, Registrars or Preparators with object moves.

8.  Maintain equipment used in collection spaces: lighting track plates, stanchions, exhibition case glass and acrylic exhibit bonnets, as well as museum window acrylics used in collection rooms for visible light filtration.

9.   Maintain collection area bathrooms, closets, and other public/workspaces within collection boundaries and assigned spaces.

10.  Maintain equipment in good working order and bring all needed repairs to the attention of the Associate Preventive Conservator.

 11. Maintain open communication for coordinated activities with multiple departments.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Experience: High school diploma or GED with 1 year of museum or another collection care experience, e.g., auction house, historic house or gallery setting. Retail experience in display making and maintenance, as well as in store lighting may also be applicable. 

Preferred Experience: BA, BFA or BS in Museum Studies, Art Conservation, or Collections Care with Ability to work with your hands. Previously held position in museum collection care. Having interest in the field of art conservation or preventive conservation as a discipline for study and growth.

Knowledge/Skills:

1.      Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.

2.      After training, ability to work with relative humidity, temperature, and light monitoring equipment.

3.      Organized and Detail oriented.

4.      Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, & PowerPoint)

Basic understanding of collections care practices, providing care and maintenance for spaces and objects

Essential Functions:

1.      Must obtain and retain object handling and moving privileges.

1.      Must attend all safety and security training.

2.      Must be able to maneuver and work in small spaces.

3.      Must be able to work safely at heights, using a ladder or lift.

4.      Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

5.      Able to use hand or motorized tools and equipment necessary for collection care in a museum setting.

6.      Specialized surface cleaning tasks under the direction of supervisor and in conjunction with conservators.

7.    Must be able to utilize and maintain provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).