Part- Time Objects Conservator, Oakland, California

Part- Time Objects Conservator

US-CA-Oakland

Job ID: 2024-1453
Type: Project Part-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Conservations
Oakland Museum of CA

Overview

The four-year part-time, grant-funded Objects Conservator is responsible for object-centered conservation planning, surveys, and providing input on related grant proposals and activities; and carrying out skilled conservation treatments on three-dimensional objects in a variety of materials, whether for maintenance or responding to damage/deterioration. The position will assist in providing oversight of the physical collections (more than 2 million objects) by monitoring environments, pest activity, and advocating for proper handling, packing, shipping, storage, and display.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future
• Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement
• All positions will have core functional responsibilities, cross functional team activation and learning and development as a core function of each role.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collections

• Perform conservation treatments including assessment, treatment planning, materials/technique research, scientific analysis, treatment and preventative maintenance, photo documentation, and report writing
• Monitor museum environment, pest management activities, and preventive conservation advocacy
• Condition assessments for loans, exhibits, acquisitions including facility report review for loans and exhibits
• Assist and project manage conservation/collections grants

Administration

• Confer with colleagues (in-house and at other institutions) via email, phone, and in-person meetings
• Monitor quality of in-house and outsourced exhibit activities/products

Professional Development

• Consult and advise Museum Staff, professionals, artists, and collectors on proper care of collections including safe handling, exhibit requirements, storing, packing, mount making/framing, and disaster mitigation

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

• Ability to display and encourage visitor and internal customer service, take and share responsibility and treat others with respect
• M.A. degree in art conservation required
• 6 years minimum experience required in institutional setting; 10 or more years of experience desired
• Supervisory experience desired
• English language proficiency in both spoken and written form
• Knowledge of general conservation methodology, materials, and techniques, with in-depth knowledge of objects conservation
• Knowledge of guidelines and best practices relating to proper handling, storage, and exhibition of cultural materials
• Knowledge of American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics
• Skills in digital photography and workflow
• Experience with standard computer software programs and collections management systems
• Familiarity with Collections Space collections management database desired
• Knowledge of conservation of natural science materials desired
• Experience with NAGPRA legislation and practices desired
• Proficiency in pXRF operation and interpretation desired

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The environment may include:

• Museum environment involves both indoor and outdoor working conditions
• Ability to travel between OMCA locations, and other travel as required by position responsibilities

EEO STATEMENT

The Oakland Museum of California is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability/disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We highly encourage our diverse community to apply for available employment, internship, fellowship and volunteer positions at the Museum, as we aim to ensure our staff reflects the diversity of our visitors and surrounding community. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OMCA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

COMPENSATION: $40.08 - $40.08 hourly

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