The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association seeks a highly motivated objects conservator to assume the role of Collections Conservator and direct the conservation of the Fine and Decorative Arts Collections at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, a 450-acre historic site, located 15 miles south of Washington, DC, and visited by more than 1 million visitors annually. These collections encompass more than 15,000 items, including sculpture, furniture, ceramics, metals, other decorative arts, paintings, prints, and textiles. Collections are displayed in the Mansion, an 18th-century historic structure; an array of outbuildings; a purpose-built museum facility opened in 2006; and a research library opened in 2013.
Please apply by: September 23, 2016
Position Specific Responsibilities:
- Oversees the preservation and conservation of Mount Vernon’s Fine and Decorative Arts collections
- Prepares objects for exhibition in historic structures and museum galleries, loan and photography in accordance with AIC’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
- Coordinates work by contract conservators
- Plans and implements preventive maintenance
- Works closely with Historic Preservation and Collections staff and contract conservators, under the direction of the Senior Curator
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s degree from a recognized conservation program, with a specialty in objects conservation, preferably with a focus on decorative arts
- Minimum of five years post-graduate experience
- Minimum of three years conservation experience in an historic site or museum setting
- General knowledge of current museum practices in storage, handling, exhibition display, environmental controls and illumination
- Familiarity with conservation issues particular to historic house museums and historic sites
- Excellent hand skills, competence with basic scientific instrumentation, computers, and digital media
- Attention to detail, creative problem solving, and strong organization skills required
- Experience with lab management preferred
- Demonstrated leadership and decision-making abilities
- Works effectively individually and as part of a team
- Communicates courteously, professionally and effectively with colleagues, supervisors and the public
Special Requirements:
- Ability to lift and carry collection objects up to 30 lb.
- Ability to climb and balance on ladders
- In addition to regular hours, able to occasionally work early mornings, evenings, or weekends as well as outdoors, as needed for installations or events
- Safely uses solvents, reagents, and other hazardous materials
- Practices, maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures in and out of the lab
Please apply online via our website by following the link below:
http://www.mountvernon.org/about/employment/open-positions-at-mount-vernon/?gnk=job&gni=8a78824756b5d9b80156ec28b2d36d9e&gns=http%3A%2F%2Fcool.conservation-us.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fosg-l
Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer