Author: Carmina Lamare-Bertrand

Associate Conservator (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

  • Job Requisition: 2018-3168

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a qualified Associate Conservator to join the Department of Antiquities Conservation at the Getty Villa. The ideal candidate would have a background in archaeological conservation, an interest in the technological study or works of art, and be knowledgeable in exhibition conservation. Preference will be given to candidates who additionally have solid experience in laser cleaning.  Working as a team member with the other conservators and the Villa mount makers, the Associate Conservator will participate in the Museum’s exhibition program and special projects, as well as in the ongoing study and treatment of the permanent collection.

Major job responsibilities

  • Competent to work at a very high level in all functions of conservation
  • Manages technical projects in area of expertise
  • May assist in the administration of the department
  • Participates in and may initiate examination, conservation, restoration and/or research of a collection
  • Guides junior conservators and monitors activities of assistants and technical staff
  • Analyzes environmental factors and determines appropriate storage, transport or exhibition conditions
  • Travels nationally and internationally to examine works and develop partnerships with other institutions and professionals
  • Publishes and lectures in area of specialization
  • Remains current in conservation practices, and carries out research leading to advances in the conservation field
  • May advise the curators on technical issues related to potential acquisitions
  • Collaborates on complex projects
  • Collaborates on/or co‐curates special exhibitions
  • Provides scholarly contributions to exhibition catalogs
  •  Performs scholarly research in support of the institutional mission

Qualifications

  • MA in conservation or equivalent degree
  • 5-7 years experience in conservation

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate and direct teams across disciplines and to build long‐term relationships
  • Advanced knowledge of chemical and physical properties of archaeological materials, conservation materials and deterioration processes
  • Basic competency with machine shop tools
  • Expert hand skills including manual dexterity, color acuity, artistic practice and sensitivity for objects
  • Advanced knowledge of conservation history, ethics and methodology, and documentation, including TMS
  • Advanced knowledge of scientific instrumentation and ability to operate analytical and technical imaging equipment
  • Accomplished in art historical, scientific and conservation research and writing
  • Competent with collections management and digital asset management tools
  • Advanced knowledge of exhibition conservation
  • Competent using lasers in the conservation or artifacts

Please apply at the following link:  https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/3168/associate-conservator/job.

Paintings Conservator (part time or full time) (New York, NY, USA)

Luca Bonetti Painting Conservation Studio (Manhattan, NY) is seeking a full time or part time painting conservator to assist senior conservators in various projects, mostly with contemporary paintings.  The candidate should have 2-6 years of post-graduate experience in conservation, and should be motivated to explore novel techniques for solving complex conservation issues.  The candidate should be dedicated to furthering their education and training within the conservation field. This studio provides regular opportunities to participate in the conservation of significant modern and contemporary artworks, and to work directly with experienced conservators.  There is room for the candidate to take on greater responsibilities over time.  The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, communication skills (verbal and written), computer skills (including digital photography and photo editing), as well as demonstrated technical conservation skills.

Please submit a cover letter stating your interests and background, a CV, and salary requirements to lucabonetti@gmail.com.

Luca Bonetti, Corp.
Conservation and Restoration of Paintings
154 West 18th Street 2A
New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212-243-2522
Fax: 212-807-9752

Supervisory Librarian (Head, Paper Conservation Section) (Washington DC, USA) – now closed

The Library of Congress seeks a Supervisory Conservator (Librarian job series) to head the Paper Conservation Section in the Conservation Division. The Conservation Division is responsible for all work related to the assessment, stabilization, and conservation treatment of artifacts on paper and other substrates in the Library’s special collections and works closely with all custodial divisional representatives to develop, establish, coordinate and carry out a comprehensive, Library-wide conservation treatment program appropriate to the collections’ needs. The incumbent serves as Section Head and is responsible for work conducted in this section, which includes assessments, surveys, evaluations, treatments, documentation, and housing of paper format collections and paper artifacts; preparation work for exhibitions; research into optimizing paper conservation treatment methods and protocols; participation in the division’s intern program and other teaching and training programs; and creation of publications, reports, and guidelines.

  • Open & closing dates: 2018-05-14 to 2018-06-15
  • Pay scale & grade: GS 13
  • Salary: $96,970 to $126,062 / Per Year (Reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area)
  • Appointment type: Permanent. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position

Anyone may apply – By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.

You can find the posting and start the application process at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/499463500

Responsibilities
As Section Head, manages and supervises staff at grade levels GS-05 through GS-12. Provides administrative and technical supervision needed for accomplishing the section’s work. Performs administrative and human resources management tasks related to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system and ongoing informal discussions throughout the year. Develops work improvement plans to improve productivity and/or the quality of conservation services. Ensures subordinates receive training to successfully perform and fully comply with Library of Congress regulations. Ensures personnel management in the organizational entity under supervision is accomplished without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.

Plans, distributes, and reviews conservation activities undertaken by Paper Conservation Section staff. Oversees all section activities performed by staff and contractors, including conducting condition surveys of internal collections and individual items, technical analyses, developing treatment plans and selecting or designing and creating appropriate housings, conducting conservation treatment, documenting item condition and treatment, and preparing collections items for digitalization, loan, move, exhibition, and other usage preparations for such paper-based items as broadsides, charts, drawings, graphic prints, manuscripts, maps, posters and sketches.

Upon request by the Chief of the Conservation Division, designs centralized and mission-specific projects using established and/or proposed program objectives. Manages divisional programs and projects with a focused, mission-specific scope. Identifies and implements needed actions concerning development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of preservation programs and projects. Submits program goals and reports annual results to the Division Chief.

Develops, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with librarians, curators, facilities staff, Capitol Police, and other specialists to share resources and information to coordinate workflow, project planning and policy development in the Library. As a consultant, provides technical recommendations on the conservation and/or preservation of Library materials.

Conditions of Employment
The Supervisor leads his/her staff toward meeting the Library’s vision, mission, and goals by acting decisively, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering integrity and honesty. To view the Library’s Supervisory Core Competencies click the following link: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/uploads/loc_supervisor_core_competencies.pdf

Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

  • Ability to supervise and lead a diverse specialized and technical staff **
  • Knowledge and application of the principles, concepts, and techniques of preservation and conservation **
  • Ability to analyze, organize, plan, and execute preservation and conservation programs and projects
  • Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties
  • Ability to build and maintain professional relationships
  • Ability to communicate in writing
  • Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing

How You Will Be Evaluated
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants’ experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

If you have questions about this posting, position requirements, or job responsibilities, please contact me at eeus@loc.gov or (202) 707-5838.

Free podcast series for journal authors

JAIC’s publisher Taylor & Francis offers free online mentoring support to journal authors. Among them is a series of 15-minute podcasts; each podcast offers practical tips and insights for researchers looking to develop their career.

Their latest episode, “The unspoken challenges of research life,” discusses barriers that researchers from some backgrounds face when pursuing a career in academia, as well as whether there are barriers that could affect researchers taking parental leave.

If you would like to listen to this podcast, or all of them, please visit: https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/develop-your-research-career-podcast/.

You can also get weekly updates with the latest tips from T&F’s Author Services & Editor Resources by signing up for Insights: http://pages.email.taylorandfrancis.com/insights.

Happy reading and have a great weekend!

JAIC Editorial Staff

Conservator and Preventive Conservation Specialist (Philadelphia, PA, USA)

Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA)

We are seeking a full-time Conservator and Preventive Conservation Specialist with a specialization in paper, photograph, or book conservation to work with our clients in the Southeastern United States. This is a grant-funded two year position, which CCAHA expects will become a permanent position at the end of the grant period. Working closely with CCAHA’s senior management team, the selected candidate will be responsible for identifying and cultivating clients in the Southeast by carrying out surveys and assessments, educational programming, business development activities, examinations and estimates, and conservation treatments. After a training period at CCAHA’s main office in Philadelphia, the Conservator and Preventive Conservation Specialist will work remotely but can expect frequent communication, collaboration, and in-person contact with the Philadelphia-based staff.  Frequent travel is a requirement of this position.

Major duties and responsibilities:

  • Works with clients in development, planning, and execution of conservation treatment projects, on-site consultations, preservation assessment projects, training workshops, and other special projects.
  • Promotes and markets CCAHA’s services by taking an active role in planning CCAHA’s business development strategy in the region, making regular visits to current and potential client institutions, representing CCAHA at public events, and building awareness of CCAHA.
  • Develops written informational/educational materials as needed and presents education programs.
  • Collaborates with CCAHA staff in preparation of proposals and conceptualization/planning of grant-funded programs.
  • Provides technical information via telephone and email.
  • Independently evaluates collections materials for conservation and prepares condition reports and treatment estimates.
  • Carries out conservation treatments, following AIC’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
  • Stays current on best practices in the field.
  • Works collaboratively across departments to help achieve CCAHA’s strategic goals.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program, or equivalent experience, with a specialization in paper, book, or photograph conservation and a minimum of two years of professional experience.
  • A thorough understanding of preventive conservation principles and familiarity with conducting assessment and planning projects with cultural institutions.
  • Excellent written, verbal, presentation/public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
  • Willingness to travel as necessary.
  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.
  • The exceptional candidate will have comfort and experience with business development for conservation and consulting services.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. CCAHA offers an excellent benefits package that includes health and dental coverage, short-term and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, retirement plan, and professional development funds. All applicants must have a valid driver’s license and applicants that are not US citizens must have a valid work visa.

Please send letters of interest and resumes to:

Laura Hortz Stanton
CCAHA
264 S. 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Or via email to lhortzstanton@ccaha.org.

Objects Conservator (San Francisco, CA, USA)

SF Art Conservation seeks to recruit a full time objects conservator for a one-year contract, with the possibility to renew for the correct candidate.

Focused on objects, sculpture and paintings conservation, the company has studios located in San Francisco and Oakland and serves a range of clients that include museums, City institutions and major private collections.

Responsibilities will include conservation assessment, treatment, and documentation of objects and sculpture, and some supervision of technicians and conservation assistants.

The conservator will undertake individual treatments as well as be involved in team projects, and work with a broad range of materials from different periods, both in the studio and onsite. We have a particular focus on contemporary and modern objects, sculpture and public art. Experience with outdoor sculpture and concrete will be beneficial. Please see the website to view the range of projects – www.sfartconservation.com.

The company prides itself on providing a creative, positive and supportive environment. Within a collaborative setting, we encourage employees to develop and expand their skills, and produce their best work.

A Master’s degree in Conservation and a minimum of three years of recent experience with objects and sculpture is required.

Apply to:
Rowan Geiger
Director of SF Art Conservation
1189 Tennessee Street
San Francisco CA 94107
rowan@sfartconservation.com

Please include a letter of intent, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Only individuals eligible to work in the United States will be considered.

Textiles Conservation (UK)

  • Icon Internships, Textiles Conservation
  • The Bowes Museum HLF Skills for the Future Internship
  • 2 x 12 months Internships starting August 2018
  • Location: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham Educational Stipend: GBP16,000

The Bowes Museum, in partnership with Icon, and with the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund is offering a program of Textile Conservation internships from 2014 to 2019. The intern to work within the conservation department, and alongside the department of textile and dress.

The Bowes’ formed one of the earliest collections of European textiles in Britain, including tapestries, embroideries, furnishing textiles, lace, quilts and carpets. The costume collection includes haute couture from the 1860s onwards, with an important group of costume and accessories which belonged to Empress Eugenie of France. More information is available at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

The intern will join the Textile Conservator in working towards the re-display of the Textiles and Dress Gallery though conservation assessments, treatments and mounting. As part of the conservation team, the interns will gain practical, preventive and workplace skills, tailored to help them develop their careers in conservation.

Other projects throughout the year will include:

– Temporary exhibitions and displays
– Pest management program in the textile and dress stores
– Care of textiles on open display, including upholstery and carpets
– Ongoing improvements to the textile and costume stores, including of the Blackbourne Lace Collection
– Regular contributions to The Bowes Museum blog
– Assisting with conservation-related inquiries
– Publicizing the work of the department through networking with other professionals, attending conferences, publications etc.

Candidates will be asked to present a portfolio with evidence of their conservation work and/or related textile skills, at the interview

You can apply for this placement if you have a recognized qualification in conservation, preferably specializing in textiles. Applicants wishing to pursue a career in textiles conservation, without formal training, but with a demonstrable interest in museums conservation and heritage, and able to demonstrate a high level of manual dexterity will also be considered. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Please apply using the application form on the Icon website only, https://icon.org.uk/what-is-conservation/internships.

  • Closing date: 9:00 a.m. on May 25, 2018
  • Interviews will be held on June 6 and 7, with start date of August 20, 2018.

Questions: pwhife@icon.org.uk

Conservator of Paper (Atlanta, GA, USA)

 

The Atlanta Art Conservation Center is seeking a full-time, paper conservator to manage and run the paper conservation division within the regional conservation facility in Atlanta. The conservator will work alongside two paintings conservators and an object conservator. The paper conservator will manage all activities including documentation, analysis and treatment for the paper based fine art collections of the AACC’s member institutions, will supervise interns and will assist with team projects within in the conservation center as work load and deadlines fluctuate.

The candidate should have a degree in graduate-level studies with a specialization in paper materials and a minimum of five years of  post-graduate experience or equivalent education and work/life experience demonstrating expertise in the analysis, documentation, conservation treatment and preventive care for all types of paper based art and historic artifacts. The conservator should demonstrate knowledge of art history, art fabrication and conservation practices for fine and contemporary art as well as the use of non-destructive analytical examination techniques.

Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, computer proficiency and strong organizational abilities will be required. The candidate should be willing to travel periodically to carry out site work for member institutions.

The AACC offers a full benefits package including an annual research stipend. Title and salary will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.

For further information contact: Leslie Paisley, Paper Conservator/Department Head at lpaisley@williamstownart.org.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and contact information for three references to Thomas Branchick, tbranchick@williamstownart.org Director, Williamstown Art Conservation Center, 227 South Street, Williamstown, Ma. 01267.  Tel: 413-458-5741.

Conservation Librarian (Philadelphia, PA, USA) – now closed


UPenn logo

 

 

 

  • School Name: University Library
  • Org: Special Collections Library
  • Posted Job/Salary Grade: 026
  • Employment Type: Exempt
  • Position type: Full-time
  • Position schedule: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Months: 12
  • Position Length: Ongoing

University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

School/Center Overview
The Penn Libraries serve the world-class faculty and students of Penn’s 12 schools. The Libraries’ collections comprise more than 7 million volumes, over 100,000 journals, some 2 million digitized images, and extraordinary rare and unique materials that document the intellectual and cultural experience of ancient and modern civilizations. Through our collaborative relationships, we supplement Penn’s great local collections with physical access to the Center for Research Libraries (approximately 5 million items), the combined holdings of the Ivies (more than 70 million volumes), and exclusive electronic access to some 2 million public domain titles in the HathiTrust. Today, the Libraries play an instrumental role in developing new technologies for information discovery and dissemination and are noted for groundbreaking work in digital library design. To learn more about the Penn Libraries, visit http://www.library.upenn.edu.

Duties
Reporting to the Margy E. Meyerson Head of Conservation and joining a state-of-the-art conservation facility, the Conservator will contribute to the long-term preventive care and conservation treatment of the holdings of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, including but not limited to the collections materials in the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

The Conservator will plan and perform simple to complex structural and aesthetic conservation treatment on a wide range of materials including books, manuscripts, art-on-paper, maps, ephemera, and parchments.

The Conservator will be a core member of the Steven Miller Conservation Laboratory staff and will be expected to work closely with senior conservation technicians, curators, librarians, liaisons, reading room staff, catalogers, exhibition designers, art handlers, registrarial staff, student assistants, and other library staff.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Plan and perform simple to complex structural and aesthetic conservation treatment on a wide range of special collections library materials including books, manuscripts, art-on-paper, maps, ephemera, and parchments.
  • Apply knowledge of conservation theory and preventive conservation techniques to safeguard the long-term care of Penn Libraries collection materials
  • Implement and conduct treatment practices that are in keeping with the AIC Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
  • Contribute to and conduct condition surveys and collection assessments.
  • Analyze and examine collection materials to identify, describe, and document their material composition.
  • Collaborate in exhibition and loan activities including review of facilities reports and environmental specifications; conducting exhibition reviews and on-site installation as needed.
  • Develop and implement new documentation procedures and systems with the Head of Conservation.
  • Participate in and create research, training, and educational outreach to a broad audience within the Penn Libraries and Penn academic community as well as partnering cultural institutions at the regional and national scale.
  • Under direction of Head of Conservation and as required, develop curricula and lead audience-appropriate training and outreach for staff, students, faculty, and researchers.
  • Contribute to departmental efforts to support Penn Libraries social media and communications campaigns.
  • Collaborate with and direct the work of other lab staff, technicians, interns, and student workers.
  • Facilitate general maintenance and organization of the conservation laboratory by contributing to safety procedures, maintaining inventories, and selecting materials and supplies.
  • Be an active member of the conservation and cultural heritage community through active participation, publication, research, and professional service.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Expertise:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited graduate training program in conservation and 2 years of post-graduate, professional experience in conservation laboratory, preferably in a special collections or research library, or similar institution; or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.
  • Demonstrated experience treating a wide range of materials, including books, paper, and parchment, as demonstrated by a portfolio
  • Demonstrated success with a wide range of conservation treatment procedures and a high degree of manual dexterity, analytic and observational skills, as demonstrated by a portfolio
  • Demonstrated thorough working knowledge of conservation theory and practice, with satisfactory completion of courses in organic, paper, and conservation chemistry
  • Well-developed communication and research skills
  • Ability to work collegially across a large, complex, and dynamic organizational setting
  • Ability to initiate and adapt to change
  • Ability to analyze and solve problems
  • Ability to work independently and with others
  • Attention to detail and willingness to learn new techniques
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other project management software

 Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Quick Link
http://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/postings/36649

Equity and Inclusion Working Group Report

Dear AIC Member,

It is a privilege to release and put into action the report of the Equity and Inclusion Working Group (EIWG), Recommendations for Advancing Equity and Inclusion in the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The EIWG was established in December 2016 for a term of one year and was charged with drafting a Statement on Equity and Inclusion, which was incorporated into our Core Values in April 2017. The Group was also tasked with writing a report that summarized similar efforts in allied professions and proposing avenues in furtherance of equity and inclusion in AIC Strategic Planning, and, lastly, recommending strategies and programs to help the AIC improve equity and inclusion within the organization.

The final report frames the EIWG’s recommendations according to four targets:

  • Develop Internal Engagement and Education Processes or Resources;
  • Increase Advocacy & Partnerships with Allied & International Professionals;
  • Enhance Recruitment, Growth, and Retention Practices;
  • Ensure Sustainability of Efforts.

The EIWG has fulfilled its charge with distinction and the Board is grateful to its members:

  • Jennifer Hain Teper, Chair
  • Heather Galloway, ETC Liaison
  • Kimi Taira, ECPN Liaison
  • Anisha Gupta
  • Beatriz Haspo
  • Thomas McClintock

Clearly the time has come for the AIC to commit to these efforts in a systematic and pro-active manner if meaningful progress is to be achieved.  Accordingly, members are encouraged to read and reflect upon Recommendations for Advancing Equity and Inclusion in the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Opportunities for member input will be scheduled and advertised.

As a reflection of its endorsement of this report, the Board has formally approved the appointment of an Equity and Inclusion Committee and will be posting a call for members soon.

The AIC Board