Associate Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Reporting to the Senior Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture, the Associate Conservator has direct shared responsibility for conservation of a renowned and growing collection of decorative arts and sculpture spanning many cultures and curatorial departments. Candidates must possess outstanding visual and manual aptitudes, strong written and oral communication skills, a sound art-historical and technical knowledge of decorative arts and sculpture and demonstrated ability to deal with the complexities and dynamic pace of a large cultural institution.

Specifically, you will:

Examine, perform technical and historical study, document, and treat decorative arts and sculpture in the collection

Assess the condition of decorative arts and sculpture requested for loan or being considered for acquisition, and document the condition of incoming or outgoing loans

Collaborate with colleagues across the museum advising on installations, storage, handling, packing, and transport of decorative arts and sculpture

Work independently and collaboratively with conservation scientists in chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of materials and construction of works of art

Mentor and instruct post-graduate fellows, interns, and technicians

Promote awareness of the role and work of the museum's Conservation Division, in part through developing content for presentation and outreach

Your background and experience include:

Academic credentials (Masters of Art or Masters of Science or equivalent) from a recognized conservation training program with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in the study, care, and treatment of decorative arts and sculpture

Museum experience in the typical range of conservation activities engaged in optimal preservation and presentation of a large and varied decorative arts and sculpture collection

Involvement in the support of active loan and exhibition programs

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Photoshop

Experience working cooperatively with staff at large to meet departmental and institutional goals

Position and Compensation Details

The salary for this position is $70,000.

This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.

This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.

This position reports to The John and Chara Haas Senior Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture

This position is required to be performed fully onsite at Philadelphia Museum of Art locations.

Physical requirements:

Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus

Job-specific physical requirements

Minor lifting and bending (lifting of no more than 30 pounds)

Manual dexterity and exceptional fine motor skills.

Excellent corrected eyesight, color discrimination and spatial perception.

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

Institutional Requirements

Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.

Adheres to the museum's code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum's staff, volunteers, and audiences.

Maintains confidentiality.

Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family

Discounted guest tickets for admission

Discounts on gift memberships

Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams

Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance

Health savings or flexible spending account program

Retirement savings program with museum match

Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee's regular schedule and tenure.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

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Associate Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture