Assistant Conservator of Paper

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

 About the Position

The Assistant Conservator of Paper is responsible for enhancing the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural assets by, in consultation with the specialist curators and Associate Conservator, Paper, examining paper objects from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s collection, designing, and proposing treatment protocols, and carrying out conservation treatments. The Assistant Conservator carries out condition assessments and treatments in accordance with research and exhibition objectives.

Essential Functions:

1. Performs treatments on the Foundation’s various paper collection objects using recognized conservation techniques in compliance with the Code of Ethics of the American Institute for Conservation and in consultation with curatorial staff. Examines objects, prepares written treatment proposals, performs treatments, and prepares treatment reports complete with photo-documentation. Confers with supervisor, conservation staff, and curators on complex projects. Collaborates with other conservators to treat or advise on care of paper objects as needed.
2. Conducts conservation assessments of the Foundation’s various paper collections.
3. Establishes and documents preservation state and condition of paper objects as requested; including those being considered for accession, deaccession, exhibition and loan.
4. Assists in management of day-to-day operation of paper lab including ordering supplies and materials, handling paperwork, inputting treatment information in the collections database, and maintaining lab space and equipment.
5. Assists in the supervision and training of technicians, interns, and volunteers in the paper lab.
6. Maintains awareness of state-of-the-art techniques in the conservation field.
7. Carries out research and related analysis to support treatment projects, test new materials, applications, or methodologies as other responsibilities allow.
8. Fabricates storage systems, exhibition supports, and packs/moves objects as needed.
9. Prepares and delivers public and professional lectures and demonstrations on conservation theory and techniques. Publishes new research in book or article form as other responsibilities allow. Contributes to and/or leads public tours. Contributes to social media efforts.
10. Performs other related duties as required.

Required and Preferred Education and Experience:

Required: 

1. Graduate degree in conservation plus two years conservation experience in recognized institutions — or the equivalent technical education and experience.
2. Demonstrable history of proposed, completed, and documented treatments.

Preferred:

1. Supervisory and administrative experience.
2. Familiarity with workplace safety practices.
3. Membership in a professional conservation organization.

Qualifications:

1. Detailed knowledge of traditional decorative, fine, and folk art as well as library special collection and corporate archive materials and techniques with a focus on paper artifacts.
2. Highly developed hand skills.
3. Detailed knowledge of conservation materials and experience in applying state-of-the-art conservation methodologies.
4. Knowledge of the environment and environmental/materials interactions.
5. Scientific knowledge sufficient for undertaking in-depth examination and analysis of objects, performing treatments and following necessary literature and reports.
6. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Ability to follow instructions orally and in writing.
7. Shares workspace respectfully with others, can work independently and with a team. Able to plan and schedule time.