Museum Conservator Ii July 2023 To August 2024

Nature of Position

This is museum conservation work involving the research, planning, recommendation and implementation of an artifact conservation program within the Museum of Vancouver. The work of this class includes conservation duties, monitoring the environment of storage and display areas. Instructing museum staff in the care and handling of artifacts, providing technical assistance to curatorial and display staff, and conducting on-going research on conservation techniques. Considerable independence of action and judgment is exercised in all technical duties while matters of the museum policy are referred to a superior who evaluates work performance in terms of the quality and effectiveness of conservation and restoration services rendered.

Duties and Responsibilities

•Develop and maintain appropriate conservation standards within the organization;

•Monitor and record the environment of artifacts in storage or on display to control the effects of lighting, humidity, temperature, mounting and layout, and similar considerations;

•Produce and maintain full conservation records including condition and treatment reports, and associated digital images;

•Clean, support and repair/treat objects, including preparation for display

•Develop and maintain an integrated pest management program

•Instruct new museum staff in the proper care and handling of artifacts, and provide on-going instruction to museum staff in the techniques of preventive conservation as required;

•Provide technical information and assistance to curatorial and display staff;

•Supervise volunteers, interns, junior conservation staff and students;

•Propose and estimate the time and costs of treatments, artifact packing, etc.;

•Organize the logistics of long-term conservation-related projects;

•Pack, unpack incoming and outgoing loans;

•Assist in vetting potential acquisitions and loan requests from an artifact preservation point of view

•Liaise with City staff regarding facility storage and display areas with regard to preventive conservation

•Liaise with museum curators and other colleagues and help to set up exhibitions;

•Consult and collaborate with other conservators;

•Whenever necessary accompany objects in transit to other locations;

•Monitor/oversee condition of artifacts on long-term loan

•Write conservation related grants

•Manage conservation budget

•Participate in department planning

•Perform related work as required

Required Qualification, Knowledge, Education and Skills

•Thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of the conservation and display of museum artifacts including preventive conservation and integrated pest management(IPM);

•Considerable knowledge of hazardous materials that may be found in museum collections and knowledge of containment options;

•Considerable knowledge of the principles of art, chemistry, bacteriology; physics, and laboratory techniques as they apply to museum conservation work;

•Working knowledge of the overall objectives of a civic museum and of museum display techniques;

•Ability to supervise and participate in the work of a subordinate engaged in conservation duties;

•Ability to plan, implement and monitor an effective program of artifact preservation and maintenance;

•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with museum staff and a wide variety of external contacts;

•Skill in the use and care of scientific laboratory equipment;

•Digitization and database work experience an asset;

•Knowledge of the Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice of the Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property and of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators

•Experience with large object movements an asset, experience with restoration and conservation of neon signs an asset

Required Experience

•Completion of a Master’s degree in conservation plus 2-year experience in museum conservation work or hold a Bachelor’s degree and an advanced/graduate diploma or certificate in culture heritage conservation and 3 years of work experience in the conservation field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience;

•Valid BC driver’s license