Job Posting – Two Year position: Assistant Conservator (Textiles/Preventive Conservation), Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT

The Shelburne Museum is seeking a textile conservator with a strong interest in preventive conservation for a two-year full time position.
The conservator will undertake a variety of projects related to the treatment of objects in the floor cover, bed cover, and upholstered artifact collections and ongoing preventive conservation initiatives.  For all treatments, the textile conservator will take documentary photographs and write condition reports, treatment proposals and treatment reports. The conservator will train and supervise volunteers to assist with preparation of large textiles for exhibition and other appropriate textile conservation related tasks.The conservator will also participate in ongoing projects related to integrated pest management, the efficient and proper operation of the exhibition and storage area HVAC systems and exhibition lighting systems. The conservator will become familiar with established lab procedures for health and safety and help maintain conservation documentation and treatment files and conservation databases. The conservator will work with the registrars and art handlers to improve exhibition and storage conditions for the collection, conduct practical research that informs conservation treatment as appropriate, and contribute to Shelburne’s public outreach program.
The conservator will be joining a conservation department with two staff conservators: an objects conservator and a preventative conservator/conservation administrator.   The lab is equipped with suction discs and a suction table, a Wild binocular microscope, and a Leitz research microscope with polarizing light and UV light attachments.
Qualifications for this position include a Master’s Degree in Conservation or equivalent training with a specialization in textiles and minimum treatment experience of 3 years beyond conservation training.
Candidates for the position should have good communication skills, the ability to work well as a member of a team, and be a member of AIC, IIC, or other appropriate conservation organization. They should be creative problem-solvers, flexible, and adaptable with a positive attitude.
Competitive salary and generous benefits to include medical and dental insurance.
Applications should consist of a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references and should be sent to Nancie Ravenel at nravenel[at]shelburnemuseum.org by January 20, 2015.