Preparator/Fabricator (Full-Time)

About the role

This is a full-time hourly position, 40 hours per week, working alongside the installation/fabrication staff. The ideal candidate will be a team player who collaborates to achieve deadlines.

About the Museum

MASS MoCA is a vibrant non-collecting art museum with approximately 300,000 square feet of exhibition space. Half of that space is dedicated to rotating 10-month exhibitions, presenting 4 to 6 large-scale exhibitions per year, along with smaller projects. The remaining space hosts long-term exhibitions in collaboration with artists, estates, and collections, running from 10 months to 25 years. MASS MoCA frequently works directly with artists on the fabrication of new commissions and large-scale site-specific installations.

Responsibilities

• Art handling, including unloading and loading trucks, packing and unpacking fine art works, and working with registrars to safely install art.
• Construction and manual labor, including light demolition, moving large objects with material handling equipment (excluding forklifts), painting, sanding, cleaning, and other tasks related to exhibition installation in a museum environment.
• Working with a team to assemble large and complex artworks.
• Custom fabrication based on skill and experience, ranging from woodworking to metalworking, sculptural processes, etc.
• Maintaining a positive rapport with colleagues and artists through challenging and complex installations.
• Maintaining safe working spaces through clear communication and tidiness.

Requirements

• Minimum two years' work in the field of fabrication and art installation.
• Bachelor's degree in Art and Design (or equivalent experience)—open to any combination of alternative experience and education that qualifies you for this position.
• Excellent work ethic, craftsmanship, practical problem-solving, creative thinking, and a collaborative spirit.
• Ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, collaborators, and artists.
• High level of professional consideration for the art in our care.
• Knowledge of standards for packing, crating, handling, and installing artworks.
• Experience working in construction, a workshop, or fabrication shop.

Preferred Skills

Please outline your experience with any of the following:

• Skills in wood, metal, moldmaking, and plastics, along with experience using hand and power tools for manipulating these materials.
• Experience, confidence, and ability in MIG, TIG, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, arc welding, plasma cutting, and miscellaneous metal engineering machines.
• Knowledge of health and safety measures essential to fabrication processes.
• Comfort and safety working at heights, including experience using ladders and scaffolding (scissor lift experience not required).
• Experience with AV equipment and installation.
• Art-handling and packing etiquette for installation and deinstallation.

Work Conditions

• Some duties may require working outside, potentially in inclement weather for extended periods.
• Potential for overtime and weekend work during installation periods.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods with limited breaks.
• Use of hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and reach above shoulder height.
• Regularly required to climb or balance, squat, kneel, and crouch.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds and move heavy objects as required.
• Ability to climb ladders and operate mechanical lifts and power tools.
• Mobility and license to drive a motor vehicle.
• Acute vision, hearing, voice, smell, and sense of touch.
• Ability to move about the work area, between buildings and campus grounds, and ascend/descend stairs.
• Ability to wear PPE when necessary.

As defined by the National Labor Relations Act, this position is part of the bargaining unit for UAW Local 2110.

Pay

$25 per hour. This reflects our reasonable expectation at the time of posting. Final compensation will be influenced by factors such as experience, education, licensure, and qualifications.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Medical deductible reimbursement
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Roth 401(k) option
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Time
• Emergency Assistance Fund (LemonAid)
• Retirement planning support
• Professional development reimbursement
• Educational leave
• Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Discounts at Gift Shop and R&D Store
• Staff appreciation social events year-round