Application Opening: 12/12/2025
Application Deadline: 01/11/2026
Recruitment ID: RTF0160551-01113426
This is a Position-Based Test (PBT) conducted in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A.
Learn more about the City's hiring process:
https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/
About the Asian Art Museum
Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum houses one of the world's premier collections of Asian art, with 20,000 artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary multimedia installations. Special exhibitions, cultural events, and dynamic programs bring art to life for diverse audiences.
Overtime eligibility - Covered (Non-Z) - Nonexempt
Labor agreement - SEIU Local 1021 (https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/SEIU-1021-Citywide-2024-2027.pdf)
The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled Senior Museum Preparator to support the construction, installation, de-installation, and safe handling of artworks for exhibitions and gallery rotations. Working closely with a cross-departmental creative team, this role helps bring exhibitions to fruition through expert craftsmanship, problem-solving, and thoughtful design collaboration.
Under direction, this position constructs museum-quality fixtures, showcases, pedestals, temporary walls, and mounts; installs and arranges exhibits; packs, unpacks, and oversees storage of art objects; and performs related duties as assigned. Work requires a high degree of manual dexterity and exceptional care in handling valuable artworks.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The 3522 Senior Museum Preparator is distinguished from the 3524 Principal Museum Preparator in that the latter performs duties of a more difficult and complex nature and has greater supervisory responsibilities. Class 3522 Senior Museum Preparator is distinguished from Class 3520 Museum Preparator in that the latter is an entry level with no supervisory responsibility. Positions at this level require more knowledge, skills, abilities, and expertise than those of class 3520 and possess greater expertise than expected at the entry level.
Major, Important, and Essential Duties
Confers with curatorial, design, and other staff in planning and constructing exhibit components; designs and builds installation elements, such as showcases, pedestals, partitions, and special effects; paints and wallpapers exhibition spaces; adjusts and installs lighting; hangs artworks and sets up sculptures; and serves as a lead during installation, removal, and salvage of exhibition fixtures.
Prepares cost and material estimates for construction and installation projects; requisitions lumber, supplies, and specialized equipment.
Packs, ships, receives, and unpacks paintings and other valuable objects; supervises storage and inventory of paintings, statuary, and furniture; notifies the registrar of any discrepancies.
Uses professional-grade hand and power tools for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and mount fabrication, including constructing cases, pedestals, mounts, and display furniture using conservation-safe materials and methods.
Ensures all work aligns with museum conservation standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices, including PPE use, equipment safety, and proper artwork handling procedures.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Work occurs in active gallery, workshop, and storage environments. Duties require:
Standing, bending, and lifting
Climbing ladders or scaffolding
Performing fine motor tasks
Safely handling and moving heavy, delicate, or high-value artworks
Early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required for installation schedules.
Education
Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, or a related field.
Experience
Two (2) years of verifiable experience in:
Preparation, fabrication, installation, and care of valuable artworks
Museum mount-making
Building exhibition furniture
Working in a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program
Substitution
Additional full-time work experience (2,000 hours = 1 year) may substitute for required education on a year-for-year basis.
One year of work experience equals 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.
License/Certification
Valid California Driver's License.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience supervising or leading installation teams
Experience preparing exhibitions in a fine art museum
Knowledge of museum mount-making materials and methods
Familiarity with digital tools for shop drawings and basic design layouts
Verification of Education & Experience
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any stage.
Information on verifying educational requirements, including foreign degree equivalency, is available at:
https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education
Note: Falsifying education, work experience, or training may result in disqualification.
Selection Procedure
Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) (Weight: Qualifying): Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.
Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) (Weight: 100%): Candidates who meet minimum qualifications will be invited via a separate online link to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination. The purpose of the SQ Examination is to evaluate the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that candidates possess in job-related areas, which have been identified as critical for this position and include, but are not limited to:
Knowledge of wood properties, fabrication materials, adhesives, fasteners, and finishing techniques used in museum exhibition construction.
Knowledge of carpentry and cabinetmaking tools, materials, and procedures, including use and maintenance of hand and power tools.
Knowledge of modern fabrication methods such as CAD, CNC manufacturing, and rapid prototyping.
Knowledge of scheduling and sequencing of exhibition construction projects.
Knowledge of safe operation of heavy and aerial equipment (scissor lifts, boom lifts, scaffolding) and related safety regulations.
Candidates must achieve a passing score to be placed on the confidential eligible list.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
The list is valid for six (6) months and may be extended by the Human Resources Director. Lists may change as a result of appeals.
Terms of Announcement & Appeal Rights
Applicants must follow the terms stated in this announcement unless superseded by law.
Clerical corrections may be posted at:
https://careers.sf.gov/
Applicants may appeal under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1 within five (5) business days of announcement issuance.
Additional Information About Working for the City
Links available at: https://careers.sf.gov/
Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Seniority Credit
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online at:
https://careers.sf.gov/
Public access computers are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at:
Department of Human Resources, 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor
City Career Center, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110
A confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com will be sent upon successful submission.
For questions, contact:
Andrea Bolt, Senior HR Analyst
?? abolt@asianart.org
Disaster Service Work
All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
