Job Listing: Preventive Conservation Technician
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – Williamsburg, VA
Closes – Open until filled
Position Title – Preventive Conservation Technician
Salary - $17-18/hour
Job Type – Full time
Summary - The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the largest living history museum in the US and includes a newly expanded museum. Our collections include decorative arts, American folk art, archaeological media, architectural sites and fragments, rare books, and archives. The Preventive Conservation team works in multiple settings, including historic and reconstructed buildings, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, our nine well-equipped conservation laboratories, and extensive storage spaces.
Job Responsibilities -
- Perform regular, routine cleaning of collections and surrounding areas according to CWF conservation standards. Maintain records of work performed via checklists at each site.
- Inspect the conditions of the collections and buildings in assigned areas. Monitor environmental
conditions (relative humidity, temperature, light levels) in storage and display areas. Set up and
maintain sensors and recording instruments and compile permanent data records. Document conditions according to conservation department protocols. - Carry out collections care and preventive conservation projects, meeting deadlines and quality standards as established by MPHR.
- Assist in administrative tasks such as ordering supplies and maintaining supply inventory.
- Use tools, chemicals, and equipment according to safety, conservation, and manufacturer guidelines. Maintain orderly shared work and storage areas. Maintain equipment backpacks and carts.
- Follow all safety and security procedures. Maintain familiarity of current SDS and other records as required. Participate in annual training as required.
- In the absence of the Supervisor, Preventive Conservation, provide guidance to other team members as needed.
- Assist with exhibition installation and preventive maintenance closings. Attend training for collection handling and moving.
- Assist with conservation treatment and documentation, object numbering, lab maintenance, and repair of reproductions.
- Fabricate storage systems, exhibition supports, and pack/move objects as needed.
- Ensure preventive conservation is addressed while monitoring contractors, special programs, events, receptions, filming, and other activities that involve Colonial Williamsburg’s assets.
- Maintain open, two-way communication between the Conservation Department and other departments whose activities may impact the collection.
- Participate in emergency preparation and recovery activities.
- Maintains awareness of state-of-the-art techniques in the preventive conservation field.
- Perform other duties as required.
Required - High School diploma or GED. Three or more years of experience in handling, cleaning and/or caring for museum collections.
Qualifications –
- Ability to use hand tools and power equipment necessary for collections care in a museum setting.
- Ability to communicate effectively, including offering and following instructions.
- Ability to use a computer and to learn essential software use for email, report writing, data and image collection, scheduling, and other communication.
- Ability to work independently and member and/or leader of a team.
- Ability to make best use of time and limited resources, using facilities, materials, equipment, and supplies efficiently, effectively and with reasonable and appropriate care.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned, up to an eight-hour shift.