Conservation Associate, Paper Conservation [End-Dated]

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City-The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member - from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond - lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.


Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise-and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.


ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Sherman Fairchild Center for Works on Paper and Photograph Conservation is dedicated to the treatment, examination, preservation, technical analysis, and research of works of art from all seventeen of the Museum's curatorial departments, to contribute to the scholarship of the collection and make objects available for exhibition, education, and study.


GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

As the Conservation Associate you will undertake a wide range of conservation procedures on specific projects in the Met's collection of Western historic, modern, and contemporary drawings and prints; portrait miniatures; illuminated manuscripts on vellum; Islamic and Indian paintings; wallpaper; papyrus and other materials that are under the jurisdiction of the Paper Conservation Department.


You will work with senior members of paper conservation to examination the collection, make determination is treatment is needed, and evaluate the appropriateness of the housing and exhibition requirements. Ancillary conservation procedures include but are not limited to laboratory management tasks undertaken with other members of the department,

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 1 Year

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Examine, treat, and document assigned works of art from the Met collection and devise conservation strategies for treatment and display.
• Work on exhibitions under guidance of other conservators which include examinations of works of art and participating in installations.
• Prepare chemical solutions, consolidants and adhesives for treatment according to established protocols, including obtaining production information and testing materials for suitability for treatment.
• Use digital cameras and electronic resources for documentation and learn and use museum databases/digital documentation protocols.
• Undertaking other approved activities, which may involve travel Participation in the conservation community including attending meetings as necessary.
• Conduct preservation activities, such as housing and hinging of works of art and environmental monitoring.
• Adhere to recognized Standards for Preservation practices for works of art on paper.
• Assist in the maintenance of the laboratory including facilities, equipment, and supplies, and the preparation of chemical reagents and solutions according to established safety procedures.
• Research new products and obtain product information; keep abreast of current professional literature and innovations.
• Contribute to departmental outreach efforts, including social media and Museum website content creation.
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's level degree from a recognized conservation training program with specialization in paper conservation.
• Organizational and time management skills; the ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve goals.
• Knowledge of use of microscopes and alternative light sources for complex examination.
• Substantial knowledge of the history of paper, papermaking, artists' materials, and demonstrated interest in works of art, their fabrication and history, art history, and aesthetic criteria in relation to conservation projects.
• Interest in broadening knowledge of relevant fields by taking advantage of the Museum's expertise and resources, and professional development opportunities.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $72,000.00 - $74,000.00 / Annually

The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. "Commuting distance" means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the "Tri-state and PA" areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.


The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.