What are the responsibilities and job description for the Museum Preparator position at Bowdoin College?
Posting Details
Title
Museum Preparator
Posting Number
S01391JP
Department
Museum of Art
Job Summary
The Bowdoin College Museum of Art (BCMA) has a 30,000 object global and transhistorical collection. The Museum Preparator will take a leadership role in caring for and handling art, both from the collection and loaned. Daily tasks include packing, unpacking, installing, deinstalling, storing, framing, and mounting. As a team member within an academic institution, the Preparator will also play a critical role in supporting student and scholarly access to the museum’s collection.
The Museum Preparator is responsible for the proper design, related construction, installation, lighting, and maintenance of permanent and temporary exhibitions for the Museum of Art; also oversees the proper archival matting and framing, general care and handling of the museum’s art objects and collections on a daily basis.
The Museum Preparator is responsible for the proper design, related construction, installation, lighting, and maintenance of permanent and temporary exhibitions for the Museum of Art; also oversees the proper archival matting and framing, general care and handling of the museum’s art objects and collections on a daily basis.
Education/Skills Requirements
High School diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Art History or Studio Art or other related field preferred.
- Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Preferred skills include:
- Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office and Embark Collections Management System.
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents
Minimum of 4-7 years of experience as a technician/art handler, preferably in a museum.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current standards for Museum climate control and lighting.
- Expertise in art handling, matting, and framing.
- Experience installing a range of works of art including; framed objects, three-dimensional objects, time-based media, sound art, and sculptures.
- Knowledge of proper packing, crating, and professional storage practices.
- Experience setting up audio/visual equipment.
Standard Work Days and Hours
Generally, Mon – Friday, 8:30 – 5:00. Some weekend and/or overtime work may be required during installation of exhibitions. This is an on-site role, and candidates must be able to work in person on Bowdoin College Campus in Brunswick, Maine.
COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION
- The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $59,000 – $63,000.
BENEFITS AND PERKS
- A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
- Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution, no match or vesting required
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
- Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html
- Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
- Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool
- Free fitness and wellness classes!
- And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
About Bowdoin
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Shift
First Shift
Employment Category
Full Time Year Round
FTE
1.00
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Pay Type
Hourly
Background Check Package Requirements
Support Staff MVR
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Yes
Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?
Yes
Posting Date
03/05/2025
Applications Accepted Until
Open Until Filled
No
Type of Posting
Internal/External
Special Instructions to Applicants
EEO Information
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
