Job CIA.4.14 PAINTINGS CONSERVATOR Collections and Information Access Center

REPORTS TO: Senior Conservator

SUPERVISES: None

The Oakland of California values are fundamental to our institutional culture and guide our work together.

Excellence: We are committed to excellence and working at the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Community: We believe everyone should feel welcome and part of our community, both within the Museum and with our visitors and neighbors.

Innovation: We embrace innovation and calculated risk-taking to achieve our mission.

Commitment: Our work at the Museum demonstrates a sense of purpose and a shared accountability for the institution’s success.

POSITION SUMMARY The Paintings Conservator is responsible for the welfare of the paintings within the by monitoring the environment, pest activity, and advocating for proper handling, packing, shipping, storage, and exhibit. Incumbent performs skilled conservation work on collections within their specialization including research, examination, documentation, treatment, and preventative maintenance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future • Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement • Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives • Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Collections • Ensure that institutional standards for handling and care of Museum objects meet or exceed the standards of the American Association for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) • Perform conservation, restoration, and stabilization treatments on a wide variety of Museum objects within an area of specialization and training • Analyze and implement preventative conservation measures and appropriate environmental conditions

JOB CIA.4.14 August 1, 2014 1 for the collections • Analyze and document the condition of Museum objects to establish baseline for monitoring condition, for reports or insurance claims, and for treatment proposals and reports • Review incoming and outgoing loans for stability and conservation requirements, and work with Registrars to monitor collection objects through the period of the loan to ensure continued stability • Perform photo documentation of objects to establish baseline for monitoring condition of objects • Perform conservation treatments including assessment, treatment planning, materials/technique research, scientific analysis, treatment and preventative maintenance, photo documentation, and report writing • Courier artworks and exhibits • Monitor museum environment, pest management activities, and preventive conservation advocacy

Administration • Conferring with colleagues (in-house and at other institutions) via email, phone, and in-person meetings • Assist and project manage conservation/collections grants • Monitor quality of in-house and outsourced exhibit activities/products • Lead emergency planning activities for conservation activities • Condition assessments for loans, exhibits, acquisitions including facility report review for loans and exhibits

• Monitor lab activities such as Oddy test (materials testing) and CO2 Bubble (insect fumigation) • Consult and advise Museum Staff (CIA, LAB and CPC), professionals, artist and collectors on proper care of collections including safe handling, exhibit requirements, storing, packing, mount making/framing, and disaster mitigation • Assist in development and maintenance of the conservation laboratory • Maintain adequate equipment and supplies • Assist in performing administrative activities, including project planning and implementation • Perform research in areas which are relevant to the needs of the collection, including exhibitions materials and deterioration mechanisms of art, artifacts, and archival materials in the collection • Consult and advise Museum staff, professionals, artists, collectors, and the public on proper care of collections, which may include handling, exhibiting, storing, and disaster mitigation

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE A combination of experience and education that demonstrates possession of the necessary knowledge and abilities for this position is required as noted: • B.A. degree in related field such as art conservation/art history; chemistry/biology/biochemistry; / and museum studies; materials science/technology/metallurgy; textile technology, paper conservation/ arts required • M.A. degree in related field preferred • 5-7 years related experience required

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS • General conservation methodology, materials, and techniques with in-depth knowledge of a specialization • Knowledge of guidelines and best practices relating to proper handling, storage, and exhibition of cultural materials • Knowledge of American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics • Digital photography and work flow • Standard computer software programs and systems • English, fluent in both spoken and written form

JOB CIA.4.14 August 1, 2014 2 WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to the following: • Noise, such as groups of people working in enclosed areas • Typical office environment • Ability to lift up to 35 pounds

EEO STATEMENT The Oakland Museum of California is a multicultural organization, committed to diversity and practicing equal opportunity employment in recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for open positions.

JOB CIA.4.14 August 1, 2014 3