Paper Conservator OR Associate Paper Conservator

Job Description

Job Description

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Paper Conservator OR Associate Paper Conservator to support the preservation, conservation treatment, and technical study of the Museums’ extensive collection of prints, drawings, photographs, and artist books. Reporting to the Head Paper Conservator, the Conservator / Associate Conservator will also have duties related to temporary exhibitions and loans of museum collections to other institutions.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by Monday, October 5, 2026. We plan to launch the interview process in October. Please see the “Additional” section for information about work sample requirements. 

CONSERVATOR - Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Applies specialized knowledge and skills to the care, handling, and conservation treatment of prints, drawings, photographs, and books. 

2. Undertakes the examination and technical investigation of prints, drawings, photographs, and books, including the use of a Hirox digital microscope, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and multi-band imaging system. Collaborates to build capacity for technical analysis and research.

3. Prepares and archives visual and written documentation of treatments and research.

4. Responsible for preventative care of the collections and loan items during exhibition, storage, and transport.

5. May supervise and mentor associate/assistant conservators, fellows, and students.

6. Confers with curatorial, conservation, exhibitions, and facilities staff on the preparation, conservation, and care of collections.

7. Shares knowledge of the collections by contributing to exhibitions, online content, professional conferences, publications, tours, and other activities.

8. Acts as a conservation lead for exhibitions.

9. May travel domestically and internationally to examine and courier artworks.

10. May take a lead role in broader conservation and museum initiatives at the request of the Director of Conservation.

11. May perform other conservation duties as needed for special exhibitions, outgoing loans, acquisitions, preventive conservation, lab upkeep, and other departmental activities.

ASSOCIATE CONSERVATOR - Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Applies specialized knowledge and skills to the care, handling, and conservation treatment of prints, drawings, photographs, and books.

2. Undertakes the examination and technical investigation of artworks, including the use of analytical techniques such as multi-band imaging, microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

3. Prepares and archives visual and written documentation of treatments and research.

4. Responsible for preventive care of the collections and loan items during exhibition, storage, and transport.

5. Assists with supervision and mentorship of departmental contract conservators, fellows, interns and students.

6. Confers with curatorial, conservation, exhibitions, and facilities teams on the preparation, conservation, and care of collections.

7. Shares knowledge and findings by contributing to exhibitions, digital content, publications, professional conferences, tours, and other activities.

8. May act as their conservation department’s lead for an exhibition.

9. May travel domestically and internationally to examine and courier artworks.

10. Participates in museum-wide committees and initiatives as appropriate.

11. May perform other conservation duties as needed for special exhibitions, outgoing loans, acquisitions, preventive conservation, lab upkeep, and other departmental activities.

CONSERVATOR – Minimum Qualifications 

Education, Training, Experience

• Master’s degree from a recognized graduate conservation program or the equivalent.

• At least ten years of museum experience in the field of paper conservation.

• Experience with mentorship and project management. 

• Active development of professional skills.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of conservation methods, techniques and procedures involved in the maintenance and care of a museum collection of fine arts.

• Ability to perform a wide variety of conservation procedures with manual dexterity, sensitivity to materials, and an ethical approach.

• Proficiency with analytical tools used for the examination of prints, drawings, photographs, and books.

• Ability to manage complex projects while adhering to institutional priorities, deadlines, and budgets. 

• Excellent art-handling skills.