Art Handler (Columbia, SC, USA)

*** POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED – PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS POSITION ***

Carolina Conservation is seeking a dedicated and career-oriented professional who is passionate about helping others as a full-time Art Handler. We provide on-site disaster response for fine art collections that have suffered severe damage as the result of a fire, food, or catastrophic disaster. As a key client facing position, the role of the Art Handler is an extremely important and integral part of the services that we offer.

Our Art Handlers do more than just handle artwork. They are Client Specialists responsible for meeting on-site with clients, contractors, and insurance adjusters for the purpose of conducting initial evaluations of damaged collections. While on-site, the Art Handler is responsible for documentation, inventory, packaging, and removal of collection items for transport and/or shipping to our facility. Items may include, but are not limited to: fine art, paintings, art on paper, prints, art objects, collectables, antiques, heirlooms, and other high value contents. Packing strategies range from the use of basic packaging materials to custom configured travel frames, crates, and other advanced methods of housing and transport.

Our primary service area is located within the Southeast, but we regularly respond to collections nationwide. This job requires occasional overnight and long-distance travel. This position requires physical work. De-installation, packaging, transportation and installation require that candidates be able to lift 50 lbs. The Art Handler will work regularly scheduled hours, but some projects require long days that frequently start with early mornings and may span several days.  More often than not, job sites are without power and climate control, and require the use of personal protective equipment, including a respirator. Unlike a traditional gallery or institutional role, this is not a position for those afraid to get their hands dirty.

 Client Relationships & On-Site Responsibilities

  • Jobsite communication with current & prospective clients
  • Jobsite communication with contractors & insurance adjusters
  • Basic on-site evaluation, documentation, & inventory of specialty contents
  • Discussion, consultation, & explanation of company processes, policies, & common treatments with clients, contractors, & adjusters
  • On-site packaging of art & specialty contents for transport
  • Transportation of client collections to and from studio location

Studio Responsibilities

  • Planning & preparation for scheduled jobs and on-site work
  • Accurate completion of job & client related paperwork/documentation
  • Accurate & complete documentation of collection inventories
  • Preparation of collections for loading, unloading, storage, & delivery
  • Maintenance and upkeep of job related supplies, materials, & fleet vehicles

Essential Skills & Personality Traits
We have identified a number of skills and abilities that are critical to success in this position. The following are non-negotiable qualities we are looking for in a candidate:

  • An energetic, positive & optimistic attitude
  • Strong personal and professional ethics and conduct
  • Strong verbal communication skills
  • Ability to build rapport & develop strong interpersonal relationships
  • Professionalism, assertiveness & confidence
  • Meticulous, precise, & detail oriented
  • A team player that enjoys working with others
  • An enthusiastic commitment to excellence
  • Pro-active, responsible, motivated self-manager
  • Enjoys working with their hands
  • Processes new information quickly with a passion for learning
  • A passion for using their knowledge & skills to help others

Preferred Knowledge & Skills

  • Studio and/or Gallery Experience
  • Understanding of media types and studio process
  • Art History and/or working knowledge of the fine art world
  • Basic knowledge of power/hand tools
  • Ability to construct and build things from a plan
  • Digital photography & Mac based computer skills

Education & Experience

  • BA or BS (A major in Studio Art, Art History, or related study is preferred)
  • Sales, Marketing, Business Development or related experience is preferred
  • Art handling, installation, packing, and shipping experience is preferred

Compensation & Benefits

  • Full-Time
  • Salary: Hourly + Overtime
  • 60% of Comprehensive Health, Dental, & Vision insurance premiums paid by Carolina Conservation
  • Two weeks paid vacation + select holidays
  • Continuing Education & volunteer opportunities

About Carolina Conservation
Family owned and operated, Carolina Conservation has specialized in fine art conservation for fire and water damaged collections since 2005. We service major national accounts and companies within the property insurance industry. Due to the high level of service quality we provide to our clients, we have built strong industry relationships that have fueled the rapid growth of our studio operations. Over the past twelve years, we have grown to become the largest conservation studio in the nation exclusively specializing in fire and water damaged fine art and specialty collections. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with education and work history. Carolina Conservation employees are given the potential for strong career growth within our organization. We believe in providing our staff access to ongoing education, training, fieldwork experience, and volunteer conservation opportunities.