The Assistant Conservator of Paintings is a two-year appointment, with the possibility of a one-year extension. The assistant conservator will participate in technical research projects and carry out conservation treatments under the mentorship of department painting conservators.
They will play an active role in the exhibition and loan program, working alongside the exhibition management team to complete incoming and outgoing condition reports for works included in special exhibitions. Responsibilities also include participating in the review of loan requests and preparation of approved paintings for loan. The assistant conservator will have the opportunity to train as a courier for works of art from the collection.
Additional responsibilities include a range of duties supporting the Conservation Department, such as preventive conservation tasks and assisting with tours, presentations, and other outreach efforts for museum constituents.
Job Qualifications
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Master’s degree in art conservation, or equivalent, with a minimum of two years’ experience in painting conservation
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Knowledge of, and willingness to abide by, the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
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Excellent hand skills and knowledge of current conservation treatment practices
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Experience with digital and technical imaging for conservation documentation
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills
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Ability to work collaboratively with others, as well as to work independently, and capacity to manage deadlines
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Experience with collections management databases, especially Gallery System’s, The Museum System (TMS), highly desirable
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 accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Moving:
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Approximately 50%+ of worked time is spent standing or moving around the work area.
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Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment or supplies.
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Ability to move to access files, equipment or supplies.
Vision Requirements:
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This position requires the visual ability to see and ascertain the condition of collection objects; the visual ability to use a computer, stereo-binocular microscope, and digital camera.
Communication Requirements:
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Clearly communicate in person, by telephone, and by video conference.
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Communicate with others in conversational and written English.
Working Conditions:
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Position operates in the foundation’s buildings and on the foundation’s grounds at the Philadelphia campus.
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Position will require limited chemical use; will encounter dust during preventive conservation activities.
Job Responsibilities:
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Performs the examination, documentation, and treatment of paintings and minor treatment of frames as determined by department priorities and approved by the Senior Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator of Paintings. This work will include written and photographic documentation of examinations and treatments that will be entered in the collections management database, TMS; works with the Senior Conservation Coordinator in the preparation of examination and treatment documentation images for attachment to the collections management database, TMS.
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Performs technical studies to evaluate the materials and techniques used by an artist, maker, or school as necessary and/or as requested using technical documentation techniques including, but not limited to x-ray radiography, infrared reflectography, and ultraviolet illumination photography. Compiles data discovered through technical research in summary reports with accessible prose and images.
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Coordinates with the Conservator of Paintings and assists with elemental analysis produced by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for selected paintings and assists with the preparation of accompanying documentation. Consult with painting conservators, curators, and contracted conservation scientists to determine questions to be investigated on selected works for research project(s).
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Participate in the exhibition and loan program alongside department conservators, registrars, preparators, and curatorial staff. Completes incoming and outgoing condition reports for loans to our special exhibition program. Completes the preliminary examination of paintings and frames for loan requests; the preparation of selected paintings approved for loan, which may include treatment; and the preparation of outgoing condition reports with recommendations for exhibition and travel.
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Completes training as a courier to accompany works of art or archival materials from the collection for traveling exhibitions, with possible travel, as requested.
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Works with the conservation department to accomplish preventive conservation tasks, such as collections housekeeping, by performing routine dusting of collection objects; observes and reports signs of deterioration and damage; monitors collections for theft, loss, or misplacement of items.
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Assists in the ongoing education of Barnes Foundation staff and interns on the basics of conservation; participates in both written and verbal presentations on conservation to staff, students, docents, or public constituents of the Barnes Foundation, as requested. Lectures on conservation issues or studies of materials and techniques to staff, students, docents, or public constituents of the Barnes Foundation, as requested.
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Stays abreast of the field by attending conferences as funding permits, reading professional journals, and conferring with colleagues. Delivers research papers at professional meetings and/or publishes in professional journals as departmental funding and time permits.
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As a team member of the conservation department, assists in the research, maintenance, and ordering of supplies and equipment in the conservation department, as requested. Maintains a safe and professional workspace.
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Prepares monthly progress reports to the Senior Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator of Paintings.
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Performs other duties, as requested.
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.
