Assistant Conservator of Paintings

Job Qualifications

A Master’s degree in art conservation, or equivalent, is required with a minimum of two years’ experience in painting conservation.

Knowledge of, and willingness to abide by, the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice is essential.

• Excellent hand skills and knowledge of current conservation treatment practices.
• Experience with digital and technical imaging for conservation documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, as well as to work independently, and capacity to manage deadlines.
• Experience with collections management databases, especially Gallery System’s, The Museum System (TMS), is highly desirable.

Clearances

Criminal Background - National Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Moving: Approximately 50%+ of worked time is spent standing or moving around the work area.
• Transporting: Occasional transportation of up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment or supplies.
• Visual Requirements: Requires the visual ability to see and ascertain the condition of collection objects; the visual ability to use a computer, stereo-binocular microscope, and digital camera.
• Communication Requirements: Clearly communicates in person, by telephone, and by video conference. Communicates with others in conversational and written English.

Job Responsibilities

Performs the examination, documentation, and treatment of paintings and minor treatment of frames as determined by department priorities and approved by the Senior Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator of Paintings.

Compiles data discovered through technical research in summary reports with accessible prose and images. Coordinates with the Conservator of Paintings and assists with elemental analysis produced by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for selected paintings and assists with the preparation of accompanying documentation.

Consults with painting conservators, curators, and contracted conservation scientists to determine questions to be investigated on selected works for research projects.

Participates in the exhibition and loan program alongside department conservators, registrars, preparators, and curatorial staff. Completes incoming and outgoing condition reports for loans to our special exhibition program.

Completes the preliminary examination of paintings and frames for loan requests; the preparation of selected paintings approved for loan, which may include treatment; and the preparation of outgoing condition reports with recommendations for exhibition and travel.

Works with the conservation department to accomplish preventive conservation tasks, such as collections housekeeping, by performing routine dusting of collection objects; observes and reports signs of deterioration and damage; monitors collections for theft, loss, or misplacement of items.

Assists in the ongoing education of Barnes Foundation staff and interns on the basics of conservation; participates in both written and verbal presentations on conservation to staff, students, docents, or public constituents of the Barnes Foundation, as requested.

Lectures on conservation issues or studies of materials and techniques to staff, students, docents, or public constituents of the Barnes Foundation, as requested.

Stays abreast of the field by attending conferences as funding permits, reading professional journals, and conferring with colleagues.

Delivers research papers at professional meetings and/or publishes in professional journals as departmental funding and time permits.

As a team member of the conservation department, assists in the research, maintenance, and ordering of supplies and equipment in the conservation department, as requested.

Maintains a safe and professional workspace.

Prepares monthly progress reports to the Senior Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator of Paintings.

Performs other duties, as requested.