POSITION TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Paper Conservator
REPORTS TO: Head of Conservation
SUPERVISES: Conservation Technician and grant funded interns
SPECIFICATIONS: Degree from an accredited conservation program or its equivalent and a minimum of 4 years conservation experience in paper conservation is required. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and will have a starting range in the mid-$40,000 (assistant) to mid-$60,000 (conservator) yearly with comprehensive benefits. Experience in administration and staff supervision is preferred.
JOB PURPOSE: The Saint Louis Art Museum seeks a collegial, collaborative, and energetic paper conservator to join its dynamic conservation team. SLAM’s growing collection of over 14,000 works in the prints, drawings, and photography collection spans the 16th – 21st centuries with notable works by both Eastern and Western masters. An ideal candidate will have a broad and solid foundation in paper conservation treatment techniques and be capable of collaborating with other conservation staff to solve unique preservation challenges. A successful candidate will relish in the opportunity to oversee the conservation of masterworks and will possess the attention to treatment and general preservation details that such works require. The candidate will also have an excellent sense of project management and conscientious observations of deadlines. As the museum’s conservator of paper, the candidate will be expected to plan, supervise, and participate in the conservation and restoration of works on paper in the collections of the Saint Louis Art Museum, as well as, advise the Museum generally on the care of these collections; and to assist in determining conservation policy for the Museum.
DUTIES, WORK PERFORMED:
Examine and appraise physical condition of the Museum's permanent collections:
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Assess deterioration and damage, and potential complications involved in treatment.
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Design and carry out conservation treatment in consultation with the Curator of Prints, Drawings and Photographs.
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Provide written and photographic documentation to record condition of objects, treatments proposed, and treatments performed.
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Recommend other Conservators outside his or her field of expertise and review their treatment proposals.
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Advise on preventative maintenance in the Museum as a whole in the areas of environment, handling, storage, and installation.
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Examine works on paper prior to acquisition to aid the Curatorial staff in determining their physical and aesthetic condition, as well as their authenticity.
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Examine works requested for loan to determine suitability for travel and to document their condition, and advise the Registrar and others on any special packing and shipping considerations.
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Supervise the technician assigned to the department of prints, drawings and photographs, and in particular, review the design and fabrication of mats and frames for the collection.
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Advise the Registrar and Curators on the installation, storage and maintenance of works on paper in the collection.
Administer the Paper Conservation Lab:
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Assist in preparing, monitoring and controlling the budget.
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Recommend acquisition of new equipment.
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Monitor and order conservation supplies.
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: None
The above statements of this job description describe the general duties and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They do not claim to describe all of the functions of this position. Employees may be assigned other duties and the essential functions may change or be changed from time to time.
THE SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER