Conservation Technician
University of Tulsa Portal
On-site
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Job Description
The Conservation Technician reports to the Chief Conservator and performs a variety of preventive conservation duties which support the collections care goals for Gilcrease Museum. Weekly preventative conservation routines at both Gilcrease’s main building and the Helmerich Center for American Research ( HCAR ) are a major responsibility of the position, and will include cleaning collection and laboratory areas, completing laboratory administrative tasks, and assisting with key monitoring responsibilities for Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) and environmental monitoring. Preference will be given to applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree in an art or science related field of study and interest in pursuing conservation as a career. Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) Assists in all areas of the Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) Program at both the main building and HCAR including trap collection, trap inspection, and record-keeping according to conservation department protocols. Environmental Monitoring Sets up and maintains sensors to monitor environmental conditions (relative humidity, temperature, light levels) in storage and display areas at both the main building and HCAR . Compiles permanent data records according to conservation department protocols. Collection Storage and Exhibit Cleaning and Maintenance Works with volunteers and interns to perform regular, routine cleaning of collections storage areas at both the main building and HCAR . Maintain records of work performed via checklists at each site. Assists Conservators with the maintenance of conditioned cases. Follows cleaning schedule for dusting objects on exhibit. Assists Conservators with the monitoring and maintenance of outdoor sculpture. Maintains orderly shared work and supply storage areas. Maintains inventory of all collection emergency carts. Laboratory Cleaning, Maintenance, and Administrative Duties Performs regular, routine cleaning of Paper Lab and Objects Lab according to conservation department protocols. Maintain records of work performed via checklists at each site. Assists with ordering and maintaining inventory of lab and chemical supplies in both the Paper Lab and Objects Lab. Maintains inventory of objects temporarily stored in the Paper and Objects Labs in conjunction with Registration staff. Provides administrative assistance in the daily operation of the lab, including assisting with data entries in the Museum System ( TMS ), and updating SDS records as needed. Exhibition Preparation and Re-housing Assists with matting of works on paper under supervision of Chief Conservator and coordinates with Preparations Team for framing. Works with volunteers and interns to complete assigned re-housing tasks. Assist Conservators with other exhibition-related preparations for object display. Assist Conservators with conservation treatment and documentation. Assist Conservators with object numbering. Note: The essential job functions and associated qualifications contained in this document describe the general nature and level of the work performed. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive listing or be inclusive of all aspects of the job. The tasks and procedures involved in the performance of the essential job functions may vary from day-to-day. Major changes in areas of responsibility may occur, as directed by management, and will require revision of this job description.
Physical Demands
Museum Environment
Required Qualifications
Knowledge/Skill/Ability Strong personal initiative, organizational, and time management skills. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Highly flexible. Strong hand skills, including the ability to neatly construct enclosures for collection materials. Able to perform highly detailed and occasionally repetitive tasks with precision. Ability to undertake moderate to heavy lifting and work standing for extended periods of time. Equivalent Education/Experience Bachelor’s degree in art history, studio art, chemistry, or a related field. Special Job Dimensions: Work requires working with highly sensitive or confidential information.
Preferred Qualifications
Although not required, the hiring committee will review any submissions (submitted as a PDF or link to an online portfolio) with examples of hand skills and related projects (i.e. boxes/enclosures built for museum objects, matting and framing, and/or images of other work that demonstrates the applicant’s hand skills). Experience handling art and working in museums.
The Conservation Technician reports to the Chief Conservator and performs a variety of preventive conservation duties which support the collections care goals for Gilcrease Museum. Weekly preventative conservation routines at both Gilcrease’s main building and the Helmerich Center for American Research ( HCAR ) are a major responsibility of the position, and will include cleaning collection and laboratory areas, completing laboratory administrative tasks, and assisting with key monitoring responsibilities for Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) and environmental monitoring. Preference will be given to applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree in an art or science related field of study and interest in pursuing conservation as a career. Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) Assists in all areas of the Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) Program at both the main building and HCAR including trap collection, trap inspection, and record-keeping according to conservation department protocols. Environmental Monitoring Sets up and maintains sensors to monitor environmental conditions (relative humidity, temperature, light levels) in storage and display areas at both the main building and HCAR . Compiles permanent data records according to conservation department protocols. Collection Storage and Exhibit Cleaning and Maintenance Works with volunteers and interns to perform regular, routine cleaning of collections storage areas at both the main building and HCAR . Maintain records of work performed via checklists at each site. Assists Conservators with the maintenance of conditioned cases. Follows cleaning schedule for dusting objects on exhibit. Assists Conservators with the monitoring and maintenance of outdoor sculpture. Maintains orderly shared work and supply storage areas. Maintains inventory of all collection emergency carts. Laboratory Cleaning, Maintenance, and Administrative Duties Performs regular, routine cleaning of Paper Lab and Objects Lab according to conservation department protocols. Maintain records of work performed via checklists at each site. Assists with ordering and maintaining inventory of lab and chemical supplies in both the Paper Lab and Objects Lab. Maintains inventory of objects temporarily stored in the Paper and Objects Labs in conjunction with Registration staff. Provides administrative assistance in the daily operation of the lab, including assisting with data entries in the Museum System ( TMS ), and updating SDS records as needed. Exhibition Preparation and Re-housing Assists with matting of works on paper under supervision of Chief Conservator and coordinates with Preparations Team for framing. Works with volunteers and interns to complete assigned re-housing tasks. Assist Conservators with other exhibition-related preparations for object display. Assist Conservators with conservation treatment and documentation. Assist Conservators with object numbering. Note: The essential job functions and associated qualifications contained in this document describe the general nature and level of the work performed. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive listing or be inclusive of all aspects of the job. The tasks and procedures involved in the performance of the essential job functions may vary from day-to-day. Major changes in areas of responsibility may occur, as directed by management, and will require revision of this job description.
Physical Demands
Museum Environment
Required Qualifications
Knowledge/Skill/Ability Strong personal initiative, organizational, and time management skills. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Highly flexible. Strong hand skills, including the ability to neatly construct enclosures for collection materials. Able to perform highly detailed and occasionally repetitive tasks with precision. Ability to undertake moderate to heavy lifting and work standing for extended periods of time. Equivalent Education/Experience Bachelor’s degree in art history, studio art, chemistry, or a related field. Special Job Dimensions: Work requires working with highly sensitive or confidential information.
Preferred Qualifications
Although not required, the hiring committee will review any submissions (submitted as a PDF or link to an online portfolio) with examples of hand skills and related projects (i.e. boxes/enclosures built for museum objects, matting and framing, and/or images of other work that demonstrates the applicant’s hand skills). Experience handling art and working in museums.