Assistant Preparator (On-Call)

Company Description

Hello, art person! We’re so glad you’re here.

When you think of an art museum, you might picture paintings or sculptures. But art is so much more than the “traditional” forms you’re used to seeing in galleries. Nobody knows that better than Portland. Our city is bursting with all kinds of art forms–from craft beverages and comic books to artisan chocolate and collectible sneakers. There’s no one way to make art, and there’s no one way to be an art person.

That’s why you belong here. We’re a place that has room for all kinds of art (and art people).

We are a dynamic institution with multiple locations. Adjacent to the Museum campus in downtown, Portland, PAM CUT // Center for the Untold Tomorrow is an inclusive, modern, and welcoming hub serving a broad range of artists and audiences across all media art. Also nearby is the nonprofit Rental Sales Gallery representing regional artists. Across the river, in SE Portland PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater embraces cinematic storytelling in all its form through unique one-night-only events.

Job Description

The Assistant Preparator role at the Portland Art Museum will play a vital role in contributing to the preparation and installation of exhibitions, including carpentry, painting, lighting, rigging, mount making, art handling, packing, and installation.

This is a temporary on-call position needed only until the opening of the Rothko Pavilion. This position is instrumental in the reinstallation of its permanent collection in the new Pavilion. These efforts will expand the Museum's capacity to connect with audiences and showcase its world-class art collections. The Assistant Preparator ensures the safe handling and preservation of all artworks whether part of the Museum's collection or on loan, while helping bring exhibition designs to life.

Under the direction of the Preparator Supervisor and Chief Preparator this is a collaborative, hands-on role that is both attentive and fast-paced, meeting the reinstallation schedule safely and with care.

In this role, you will

• Assists Chief & Preparator Supervisor in all aspects of reinstallation including, carpentry and related shop work, painting, lighting, mount making, rigging, art handling, graphic installation and packing
• Assist the Chief Preparator, Supervisor, Registrars, and Couriers in shipping and receiving of artworks, crate moving, unpacking and packing, crate building and retrofitting, and local and regional pickup and delivery of artwork
• Assist with moving, modifying and clearing/painting exhibit furniture to prepare for art installation
• Assists in maintaining workshop including, cleaning and organization of shop space
• Assists Registrars and Conservators in collection maintenance, organizing storage, rehousing objects, seismic mitigation, and collection documentation
• Assists in maintaining general appearance of galleries including cleaning of exhibit furniture/casework, dusting, and changing of lights. Assists with maintenance and troubleshooting of new media electronic artworks and displays
• Performs other related duties as assigned

To be successful in this role, you have these requirements

• 1-3 years experience in art handling or similar field
• Knowledge of safe art handling practices and principles of professional museum collection care and respect for works of art
• Responsibly demonstrates workplace safety
• Effectively communicates verbally and maintains an effective working relationship with supervisor, staff, and other co-workers
• Willingness to work under the direction of visiting Couriers from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and different countries
• Successfully fabricate from working diagrams and oral instructions to finished products in a variety of materials
• Knowledge of shop safety and use of hand/power tools and willingness to learn and adhere to OSHA safety guidelines
• Willingness to learn and follow ADA guidelines
• Basic math and geometric knowledge, and measurement skills and a demonstrated knowledge of museum installation techniques. Demonstrated problem solving skills
• Demonstrated flexibility and effective problem-solving skills in overcoming challenges and obstacles

If you have any questions along the way including wanting to talk about a nontraditional career background, please reach out to HR.

Job conditions & physical activities

• Schedule/Hours: Shifts are available Monday through Friday between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM, with a minimum shift length of four hours. Weekly hours typically do not exceed 18 hours, though there may be a few weeks where hours are higher (This is a temporary, on-call position expected to continue until the new pavilion opens)
• Onsite/Not Remote
• Occasional nights and weekends
• Occasional outdoor work
• Extensive close work
• Frequently standing, walking, bending body to waist, use of fingers, talking, reaching, hearing, feeling, handling, climbing, kneeling, crawling, and grasping
• Frequently push/pull/lift/carry up to 50 lbs (use of carts, wheels, etc.)
• Frequent repetitive motion of feet
• Frequent repetitive motion of hands and wrist

This list highlights key physical and environmental conditions related to the role but is not an exhaustive representation of all job requirements. Additional tasks and expectations may apply based on operational needs.

Benefits

• This role is non-exempt/hourly and on-call/occasional with an estimated end date of November 2025
• The budgeted compensation falls within pay grade G ($24.43 minimum - $28.44 midpoint - $32.16 maximum), based on experience
• Shift differentials (for hourly/non-exempt staff working onsite):
  • Evening hours (6:00 pm-12:00 am) will be paid an additional $1.00 per hour
  • Night hours (12:01 am-6:00 am) will be paid an additional $2.00 per hour
• Accrued sick time
• Employee discounts

Application Process for Assistant Preparator

Ready to join our team? To be considered please submit your resume and four references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.

Closing Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED