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, September 21, 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.

• Experienced in preventive conservation.

• Deep understanding through experience of art history, artists’ materials, and techniques in the area of specialization.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and collaborate creatively and inclusively.

• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and conversation with other conservators, museum staff, colleagues, and the public.

• High level of initiative and follow-through.

• Strong computer skills and facility with standard imaging and office software and collection management systems.

ASSOCIATE CONSERVATOR – Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, Experience

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

• Minimum of three years of advanced professional experience in the field of paper conservation.

• Demonstrated initiative in pursuing skills development and building professional networks within and outside the Museums.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of conservation methods, techniques and procedures involved in the maintenance and care of an art museum collection.

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

• Experience with challenges encountered in general museum activities and the ability to suggest appropriate solutions.

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

• Excellent art-handling skills.

• Experience with preventive conservation.

• Substantial understanding of art history, artists’ materials, and techniques in the area of specialization.

• Ability to efficiently plan, organize, and prioritize projects to meet deadlines within budgets.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; ability to work and collaborate creatively and inclusively.

• High level of initiative and follow-through.

• Strong computer skills and facility with standard imaging and office software and collection management systems.

Additional:

Schedule: Works onsite. The workweek is Monday - Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week.

Compensation: The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k), and paid time off.

• Conservator: $105,000 to $130,000 annually

• Associate Conservator: $85,000 to $95,000 annually

The final offer amount within this range will be based on experience and internal equity.

Work Samples Required: The application should include 2-3 samples of written and photographic documentation of conservation treatment and 1-2 samples of writing from a publication or unpublished research.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by Monday, September 21, 2026. We plan to launch the interview process in October.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources @ famsf.org.

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COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, we are the largest public arts institution in the City of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in the United States. The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. The Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient and European art including Auguste Rodin's The Thinker and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.