Associate Conservator of Furniture and Woodwork

Job Opportunity at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Reporting to the Senior Conservator of Furniture and Woodwork, the Associate Conservator has direct shared responsibility for conservation of a renowned and growing collection of furniture and architectural woodwork spanning many cultures and curatorial departments, as well as two park houses that the museum administers. Candidates must possess outstanding visual and manual aptitudes, strong written and oral communication skills, a sound art-historical and technical knowledge of furniture and architectural woodwork and demonstrated ability to deal with the complexities and dynamic pace of a large cultural institution.

Specifically, you will:

• Examine, perform technical and historical study, document, and treat furniture and architectural woodwork in the collection, as well as two park houses that the museum administers
• Assess the condition of furniture requested for loan or being considered for acquisition, and document the condition of incoming or outgoing loans
• Collaborate with colleagues across the museum advising on installations, storage, handling, packing, and transport of furniture and architectural woodwork
• Work with conservation scientists in chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of materials and construction of works of art
• Mentor and instruct post-graduate fellows, interns, and technicians
• Promote awareness of the role and work of the museum's Conservation Division, in part through developing content for public outreach

Your background and experience include:

• Academic credentials from a recognized conservation training program with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in the study, care, and treatment of furniture and architectural woodwork
• Museum experience in the typical range of conservation activities engaged in optimal preservation and presentation of a large and varied furniture and architectural woodwork collection
• Involvement in the support of active loan and exhibition programs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Photoshop
• Experience working cooperatively with staff at large to meet departmental and institutional goals

Position and Compensation Details:

The salary for this position is $70,000. This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week. This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit. This position reports to The Elaine S. Harrington Senior Conservator of Furniture and Woodwork.

Physical requirements:

• Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
• Job-specific physical requirements
• Minor lifting and bending (lifting of no more than 30 pounds)
• Manual dexterity and exceptional fine motor skills
• Excellent corrected eyesight, color discrimination and spatial perception

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements:

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum's code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum's staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

How to Apply:

Please include pdf files containing a statement of interest, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references familiar with your critical judgment, treatment work, and interpersonal and organizational skills with your online application. Application Timeline Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer:

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafs, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee's regular schedule and tenure.