Assistant Preparator and Preservation Technician, full-time

REPORTS TO: Head of Collections and Senior Registrar

BASIC FUNCTION: The Assistant Preparator and Preservation Technician maintains the public sections of the museum’s four historic buildings with daily/weekly/annual tasks that ensure the professional presentation of the sites and the preservation of the collections.
They also provide support with exhibition and gallery installations and regular maintenance of the art collection on display and in storage.

POSITION RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Head of Collections and Senior Registrar and works closely with the Lead Preparator, Associate Registrar, Exhibitions Manager, Curators, and Facilities and Security staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to ensure that the exhibitions, collections storage spaces, and collections at the Historic Properties are clean, organized, and ready for public viewing.
• Becomes familiar with the objects on view at the Historic Properties and their conditions in order to recognize any change in condition.
• Assists with environmental monitoring and integrated pest management of Historic Properties.
• Under the guidance of registrars and Lead Preparator, assists with object installations/deinstallations at the Historic Properties and of works of art in the museum galleries.
• Assists with periodic inventories of Fine Art and Historic Properties collections.
• Assists with packing and crating of works for shipping, including retrofitting of existing crates.
• Works with Lead Preparator to load/unload large, heavy crates at the loading dock and maneuver throughout the building to storage or galleries.
• Assists with the installation of exhibition graphics and lighting in the galleries.
• Assists with the preparation of galleries for display, including patching, sanding, and painting.
• Prepares objects for exhibition or storage, including matting, framing and simple mount making.
• Works with freelance photographers to facilitate access to works.
• Performs other related tasks assigned by the Registrars or Lead Preparator.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The successful candidate is a detail-oriented individual that can work independently while managing multiple tasks and demands.
• Bachelor’s degree in art conservation or museum studies, or equivalent work experience in the museum field is preferred.
• Experience with handling objects and preventative conservation.
• Knowledge of museum standards regarding collections care, including integrated pest management and environmental monitoring.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Physical strength necessary to lift and/or move heavy objects (able to lift and carry 40 lbs., e.g., work of art), and climb ladders.
• Current driver’s license and available transportation for travel to and from historic sites.

On-the-job training for exhibit preparation and installation duties (e.g. matting & framing, crate retrofitting, and artwork installation) will be provided, if necessary.

SALARY: $43,000-$45,000

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Connie Scholz at cscholz@brandywine.org

Brandywine Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff