Curator of Manuscripts and Archival Collections

About the role

The Director, Conservation leads the department in the examination, documentation, preservation, restoration, analysis, and technical research of artworks in the DIA's encyclopedic collection and under its custody.

Responsibilities

• Manage the department, determining priorities and goals, scheduling and annual budget for all sections ensuring that department resources and staff support the museum's strategic goals and annual museum-wide goals, and that those goals are met on schedule and within budget.
• Create a collaborative work environment by using a performance support process including goal setting, feedback, and development.
• Ensure that all collection preservation activities, including providing preventive conservation guidance, conservation research, treatment, and documentation, are conducted in adherence with the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
• Develop conservation plans and procedures for the department and collection, identify opportunities for continuous process improvement for current policies and procedures for work that touches conservation and the care of the collection.
• Supervise handling at airports, truck shipments, packing and installation/de-installation at borrowing institutions.
• Define preventive conservation parameters, coordinate HVAC system and air conditioning monitoring, and light level management, and collaborate with other teams in risk assessment, management, and emergency planning.
• Provide technical guidance to resolve conservation issues in museum galleries and guide other teams in maintaining ideal storage and exhibition conditions, handling, packaging, and storage.
• Lead staff and coordinate departmental public outreach and advocacy activities that engage tri-county, state, national, and international audiences that promote accessibility to the department, collection, and special exhibitions.
• Oversee department initiatives and support conservation staff in their pursuit of technical research on artworks including documentation of structure through written reports, scientific analysis, and imaging in support of acquisitions, treatment, curatorial and scholarly inquiries and exhibition and gallery content.
• Promote the dissemination of this information by conservation staff at conferences, symposia, and in peer-reviewed publications with the goal of raising the profile of the department and the museum among our museum colleagues and with the public.
• Seek out and participate in ongoing professional development to remain up-to date on the newest materials, techniques, and advances in the field by reading professional publications, attending conferences and workshops.
• Maintain chemical safety in the department as defined by current MIOSHA Laboratory Standard.
• Foster, promote, and support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) through the DIA values, active listening, embracing difference, and engaging with empathy to promote a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree in art conservation from a recognized training program.
• Ten (10) years of progressive conservation experience, including preventative conservation, research, publications, or other academic work, preferably in a large fine arts museum.
• Experience with extensive treatment, scientific analysis, research, and process management in conservation required.
• Five (5) years of management experience as a section head or equivalent, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques (e.g. microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy, gas/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/LC-MS)), digital photography and other imaging techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to share complex information, ideas, and instructions clearly, effectively, and professionally to diverse audiences through talking or writing.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple on-going projects to meet deadlines and goals.
• Knowledge of standards and best practices for museum environments and environmental monitoring systems.
• Demonstrated ability to make creative, effective, and timely decisions aligned with organizational mission, vision, values, and strategic direction considering risk and long-term impacts.
• Ability to be an engaged listener with the ability to build consensus within the Museum and with diverse stakeholders externally.