"Conservation Technician"

Job Description Summary

The Conservation Technician, working part-time, will be responsible for assisting departmental Conservators in conservation work on artifacts in the Museum's collection. This work will be carried out at the Museum or the Museum's off-site Conservation Lab Annex (CLA).

Primary duties include assisting the Conservators with handling artifacts, help with treatments; keeping written, photographic, and electronic records of work; writing up condition assessments, carrying out basic treatments; and keeping current with developments in the field through readings, conferences, online discussions, and personal contacts; and assisting with lab maintenance. The technician will also be responsible for the movement of artifacts within the Museum. The technician will be responsible for positive and helpful interactions with Museum visitors, acting as the Museum's host, answering questions, and providing assistance as needed to ensure our guests encounter a welcoming atmosphere. Occasional research work and stewardship; administrative tasks, and additional tasks as assigned.

Continuation of this position after one year is contingent upon funding.

Job Responsibilities

• Assisting Conservator(s) with the movement of artifacts, sometimes using rigging equipment.
• Under the directions of the Conservator(s), carrying out artifact condition assessments and conservation treatments.
• Responsible for carrying out documentation including written, digital, and photographic modes.
• Gallery and lab space maintenance, including cleaning equipment and spaces, assisting conservators as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum: BA/BS degree and 0-1 years experience required, or equivalent combination of both.
• An undergraduate degree in a related field is desirable but not required.
• This position is most suitable for a preprogram candidate; someone planning to take a graduate degree in conservation with experience working in a museum conservation lab, particularly experience with documentation and basic treatments.
• Knowledge of Axiell Emu or a similar collections management database is preferred.
• Knowledge of digital photography, digital photography processing, specialized digital photography methods such as Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) and multimodal imaging (MMI) will be an asset.
• Must be able to work in the offsite CLA, located in central New Jersey.
• Sound work habits, personal initiative, organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to undertake moderate to heavy lifting are essential.
• Requires extensive safety training. Object-handling experience is preferable; manual dexterity is required.
• Candidate will uphold collegial and collaborative working relationships with conservation staff and other departments.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Please note that this position is a bargaining unit position represented by a labor union. Job related responsibilities, duties, qualifications, and compensation associated with this position are determined by a collective bargaining agreement.

Please note that this is a term position with a target end date of 2/22/2029

Job Location - City, State

Fieldsboro, New Jersey

Department / School

University Museum

Pay Range

$17.98 - $21.63 Hourly Rate