ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Department of Objects Conservation is responsible for the conservation and mounting/installation of three-dimensional art at the Museum's two venues. The scope of the Objects Conservation's mission-critical responsibilities extends to every curatorial department and all of the Museum's collections-based activities, including acquisitions, deaccessioning, exhibitions, capital projects, scholarly research, teaching and outreach, etc. The substantial scope of work includes over 7,000 completed object requests annually and the variation in scale ranges from single beads to historic interiors and architectural stone elements embedded in the Museum's buildings.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is renovating its Michael C. Rockefeller Wing (MCRW), which houses preeminent collections from three distinct areas: sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and the ancient Americas. These collections consist of archaeological and historic works of art in a range of organic and inorganic media including wood sculptures with complex surface designs, composite fiber objects, fragile archaeological metals, and numerous objects with historic repairs. Approximately 1,900 objects will be exhibited in the renovated galleries.
The Museum is also renovating over 15,000 square feet of galleries for Ancient Near East and Cypriot art collections, which fall under the purview of the Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) and Greek and Roman (G&R) curatorial departments. Several hundred archaeological objects have been selected for display in these new galleries.
As the Associate Conservation Preparator, you will be is responsible for the design and manufacture of mounts and for the installation of objects exhibited in these renovated galleries. You will work exclusively on MCRW objects until that capital project is complete. At that point, you will transition to ANEC objects.
This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. The end date for this position is 7/31/2026
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Safely and properly handle objects
Design and fabricate supporting mounts for objects
Install objects in renovated galleries both inside cases and on gallery walls or pedestals
Liaise with designers, conservators, conservation preparators, curators, technicians, Buildings staff, and outside companies as necessary
Participate in departmental fundraising activities
Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
Thorough knowledge of a broad range of artists' materials used to create three-dimensional works of art and their properties, the principles behind the safe and proper handling and installation of works of art
FDNY G-60 Certificate of Fitness for Torch Use of Flammable Gases
Skill and experience in a variety of metalworking and fabrication techniques including cold working and hard soldering of brass with an air-acetylene torch
Skill and experience with lathe and other machine-shop tool operations
Studio art skills in a variety of materials
Two years' experience as a mount maker/preparator preferred
Excellent communication skills
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a team environment and anticipate the needs of others
Energy, motivation, and willingness to learn new techniques
Ability to work efficiently in high pressure situations, and adaptability to changing circumstances
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work on a ladder or rig
COMPENSATION RANGE:
Pay Range: $83,000.00 - $87,000.00 / Annually
The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
