Associate Conservator of Objects & Sculpture

The Conservation Department at the Museum of Fine Art, Houston (MFAH) seeks applicants for an Assistant/Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has an encyclopedic collection, which includes almost 74,000 objects and spans 5,000 years of achievement in the arts. The recently concluded Museum expansion transformed the Museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and art education.  The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation, part of the campus expansion, includes labs for Conservation Science, Painting, Paper, Photography, Sculpture and Objects, Textiles, Time-based Media Art, as well as Imaging and Conservation Matting and Framing studios.  The Assistant/AssociateConservator of Objects and Sculpture will report to the Senior Objects and Sculpture conservator and join a dynamic team of 21 full-time staff members, including conservators, conservation scientists, technicians, framers, departmental coordinator, and administrative assistant.

The Assistant/AssociateConservator will play a pivotal role in the collaborative care of the object and sculpture collections, including technical examinations, treatment, and preventive care. They will also be involved in outreach efforts, programming, and mentoring of junior staff, including graduate interns, fellows, and pre-program interns. The successful candidate must have a broad knowledge of museum practices and collections management and a proven familiarity with the treatment and study of the many types of materials represented in the Museum's encyclopedic collection. They should be organized, detail-oriented, highly motivated, and have demonstrated the ability to work independently and collaboratively with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies, to achieve institutional objectives and fulfill the mission of the Museum. Close collaboration with the curators, other members of the conservation department, and collections care staff is not just encouraged but essential.

The Conservation Department has significantly expanded over the past five years. We are seeking a candidate who shares our vision of being inquisitive with a broad perspective, inclusive in all aspects of how we work and communicate, and inspiring others to do better through kindness and support. We believe in and value complementary skill sets and seek traditional and unorthodox approaches to our questions and treatments. We foster an environment that is curious and courageous, empathetic, and collaborative. We shine brighter as a group over individual accomplishments and nurture and value continuous individual and collective growth and explorations.

Primary Responsibilities

The Associate/Conservator of Sculpture and Objects is responsible for the preservation, examination, documentation, and treatment of the MFAH's Sculpture and Objects collection in accordance with the AIC (American Institute of Conservation) code of ethics. S/he will work independently and jointly with other staff members, as necessary, to examine and document the objects and create condition reports to provide media and support descriptions and describe the manufacturing techniques. S/he will analyze objects to decide upon requirements for handling, storage, exhibition, and travel and to determine if treatment is required, create treatment proposals, and carry out conservation treatments.  S/he will conduct research relevant to the field, with a focus on the MFAH collection and exhibitions, treatment, and as necessary, they will propose and carry out additional analysis in collaboration with the MFAH Conservation Scientist 

S/he adheres to and promotes a culture of open communication, aspires to excellence in all aspects of the work, serves as a model for others, and works to continually improve the department and museum's functioning. S/he will be able to engage in travel and professional development opportunities and, as appropriate, is encouraged to participate in education and outreach to fellow professionals and the general public through lectures or publications, including e-publications and web content.

A more comprehensive job description is available upon request.

Requirements and Qualifications  

Applicant should have a bachelor's degree and completion of a graduate-level course of study in Conservation or equivalent education and training. The position requires one to five years of post-internship experience in object and sculpture conservation (depending on level). The successful candidate must be highly organized, preferably have a prior knowledge of museum practices and collections management, a familiarity with the types and materials represented in the Museum's collection, and a record of achievement in the field. In addition, S/he should have demonstrated the ability to work independently as well as successfully with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies, to achieve institutional objectives. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential, as is an ability to work with databases, word processing, and other computing tools that the staff is expected to use on a regular basis.

A successful applicant is expected to effectively manage a heavy workload and meet critical deadlines.

Ability to engage in critical thinking, define problems, collect, and enter data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Other requirements include working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, Museum Collection Database software, directory structures, file management, imaging and data management systems, Adobe Photoshop, and the ability to work on both Mac and PC systems.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1,000 docents and volunteers. The museum is 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 74,000 works of art in a wide range of media.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Essential duties may include the following:

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for handling artwork and operation of tools and equipment. 
• Standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and peripheral vision. Vision corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts is acceptable.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of radiation.  (PPE will be supplied.)

In addition to these essential duties, we require:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for relevant criminal background and professional reference checks.
• Ability to successfully handle and complete multiple tasks concurrently.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly to communicate with staff, guests, and others.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process, 3) perform essential job functions, and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org

Benefits:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

Insurance coverage is effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role. Several programs are available, including:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed healthcare programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long-Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days (about 4 months)
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Employees may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible employees contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service.

Other Benefits

• MFAH Membership - Employees receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts - Employees receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop, our three eateries, and courses other activities at the Glassell School of Art

Compensation:

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description. The MFAH has set the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline and not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. A salary range for this role has been set but we know additional factors may be considered in extending an offer including (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, candidate experience and unique qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

Application Procedure

Qualified applicants should apply online, which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration.  Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration. 

Visit the MFAH Careers page at -

https://www.mfah.org/about/careers/

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