What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preparator/ Multimedia Technician position at Newfields?
Job Title: Preparator/ Multimedia Technician
Department: Collection Support
Reports To: Chief Preparator
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Range: $45,000 - $50,000
Year Created: 2025
OVERVIEW
Preparation and installation of art galleries and public programs for exceptional experiences with a focus on exhibition audio-visual installation, maintenance, and oversight.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The following responsibilities describe the general nature of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory.
• As a highly skilled professional, install and de-install electronic media devices including but not limited to projectors, displays, touchscreens, controllers, computers, media and DVD players, speakers, and their components for use in temporary exhibitions and permanent collection galleries.
• Select, route, and connect cabling in walls and ceilings to support various network, audio, and video installation needs.
• Maintain operation and schedules of electronic devices used in exhibition installations and interactive activities.
• Participate in on-call schedule for troubleshooting of electronic art and multimedia installations in the galleries.
• Collaborate with designers, conservators, interpreters, curators, and artists to determine optimal use of electronic media.
• Maintain a database inventory of audio-visual devices and components.
• Participate in art installation and de-installation by proper handling, lifting, moving, placing, crating, uncrating, and hanging works of art as required by the IMA art handling guidelines.
• Prepare galleries for exhibition installations, including patching and painting gallery walls, moving and locating, gallery furnishings, and implementing designs for temporary exhibitions.
• Maintain gallery installations. This includes patching and painting walls, mounting and installation of artwork labels, and general gallery maintenance.
• Deliver, install, de-install, and collect works of art by vehicle, both locally and interstate.
• Communicate with curatorial, conservation, and registration staff to gather information, e.g., for art relocations, art conservation needs, approvals for art relocations.
• Work within the installation crew with appreciation of the team and its mission.
• Handle various preparator duties for collection support, including maintenance of workshops and storage, label making, vinyl application, and collecting supplies and materials for art installations.
To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
REQUIRED SKILLS
• Audio-visual hardware installation skills and proficiency with audio-visual software functionality and configuration
• Experience with projector installation, calibration, and maintenance
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, and audio-visual installations
• Knowledge of woodworking and finish construction and the ability to use hand and power tools and hardware along with good manual dexterity
• Knowledge of art and art handling, including installation skills
• Highly organized and systematic approach to implementation and storage of audio-visual hardware and components
• Ability to read, write and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations to other employees
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts for design layouts of exhibitions and proportions. Algebra helpful.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Ability to address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Professional level of knowledge needed in specialized field, equivalent to that which would be acquired by completing a four-year college program and one to two years job related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel; reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Salary : $45,000 - $50,000
