Conservation Technician

Posting date: January 29, 2026

002137SR

1. Job Type Full-time
2. Location Cambridge
3. School/Unit Harvard University Central Administration
4. Department Harvard Art Museums
5. Salary Grade 053
6. Job Function Museum
7. FLSA Status Non-exempt
8. Term Appointment No
9. Union 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

The Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at the Harvard Art Museums is seeking a conservation technician to join our highly skilled and active team. The conservation technician will work primarily with works of art on paper and will report to the senior conservator in the Paper Lab. The Straus Center is a world leader in fine arts conservation, research, and training. The center’s laboratories are where conservation, conservation science, and curatorial practice intersect, coming together to enrich the understanding of and care for the approximately 255,000 objects in the Harvard Art Museums’ collections.

Please note: The Harvard Art Museums employ Conservation Technicians and Senior Conservation Technicians. The Senior Conservation Technician position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience. We welcome all interested candidates.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Helps manage high volume of rotations of works on paper and photographs with support of conservators, as needed.
• Prepares art on paper for storage, exhibitions, loans, and Study Center use.
• Measures and cuts mats and applies hinges/photocorners to works of art on paper.
• Carries out necessary framing and unframing.
• Constructs specialty storage enclosures for non-flat works of art on paper (books, portfolios, sketchbooks, etc) and for paintings and objects too.
• Uses common hand and power tools to provide a range of services for the conservation labs.
• Performs minor conservation treatment, including hinge, tape, adhesive removal and minor tear repairs.
• Helps order and maintains supplies, equipment, workspaces. May provide some exhibition budget information.
• Aid in emergency response if necessary.
• Acts as art courier on occasion.
• Creates reports and billing records for outgoing loans and exhibitions; utilizes collections management database for coordinating workflow. Works within recognized budgets to complete projects efficiently.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of relevant professional procedures and accepted practices.
• Regularly interacts with conservation, curatorial, and collections management personnel and other museums colleagues. Builds and sustains productive work relationships.
• May assist in training students, fellows, casual employees and collections management staff in art handling and storage enclosures.
• Provides information to callers, visitors and staff as necessary.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to master the use of common hand and power tools is required. Requires manual dexterity and fine hand skills. Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs., handle large frames and full sheets of glazing. Must be able to routinely work while standing. Local travel to other Harvard Art Museums and Harvard University locations is expected.

Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:
One year of related experience preferred.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Museum experience preferred. Knowledge of issues of handling, storage, and preservation of paper-based collections strongly preferred. Relevant education beyond high school is desirable. Knowledge of conservation methods and techniques, including archival matting and framing skills preferred. Experience with computerized mat cutter preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills, computer skills. The ability to work productively in deadline-oriented activities both individually and cooperatively as part of a team is critical to this position. Experience using TMS is helpful.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Criminal
• Other Information: This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.

Ever since their founding, the Harvard Art Museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. Displayed in galleries that mix not only media but schools of art, the collections at Harvard are celebrated and interrogated within a larger story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. The diverse collection is among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.

The museums value staff diversity and are committed to building a culturally diverse community. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 053. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.