Assistant, Associate, or Objects Conservator (x2)

Assistant, Associate, or Objects Conservator (x2) Title: Assistant, Associate, or Objects Conservator Department: Conservation Reports to: Director of Conservation Status: Full-time; exempt from overtime Work location: Onsite Assistant Objects Conservator: $63–68,000 Associate Objects Conservator: $73–78,000 Objects Conservator: $82–97,000 Application review for these positions will begin on March 30, 2026, and continue until the positions are filled. The Menil Collection is seeking to hire two objects conservators at the Assistant, Associate, or Conservator level to join the Department of Conservation. General Responsibilities The Objects Conservators are responsible for the care and preservation of objects, outdoor sculpture, installations, and time‑based media artwork in the care of the Menil Collection. The collection includes significant holdings of antiquities, art from Africa and Oceania, and modern and contemporary art. At all levels, the Objects Conservators will undertake research, preventive care, general maintenance, and conservation assessment and treatment. All work must be performed in accordance with the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. Specific Duties Maintain objects on view and in storage by regularly monitoring the objects and their environments and performing regular cleaning. Respond to incidents involving damage or potential damage to objects and communicate with departments across the museum to mitigate future risk. Prepare objects for exhibition or loan through assessments, reports, and treatments. Schedule artwork movements, request photography, and coordinate mount making for objects as needed. Determine exhibition, handling, storage, and packing requirements for objects in the collection. Assess the condition of objects acquired by the Menil Collection. Serve as Conservation Department liaison for selected Menil Collection temporary exhibitions. Assist with installations and de‑installations as needed. Represent the Conservation Department on select internal committees and working groups. Perform occasional domestic and international courier duties. Investigate and advise on equipment purchases and provide input on the Objects Conservation budget. Select non‑exhibition‑driven treatment or research projects in consultation with the Director of Conservation and Curators and create project budgets. Engage with artists, studio assistants, or estates to document working practices, materials, and installation parameters for the Artists Documentation Program (ADP). Attend professional meetings, give lectures, and publish papers. Assist in the general maintenance and upkeep of the Conservation studio. Participate in public outreach efforts, including the Menil Collection’s public and membership programming and social media. Work with departments across the museum to continually improve procedures and policies that promote collaboration and consistency. Depending upon experience level and expertise, additional duties may include: Serve as an accountable project lead on significant projects such as research symposia, grants, or workshops. Coordinate time‑based media working groups, and work collaboratively across museum departments to refine and implement workflows related to the care, documentation, registration, storage, and display of time‑based media. Maintain time‑based media belonging to or on loan to the museum through regular fixity checks, research, and documentation. Work collaboratively with Exhibition Design and Collections Management to procure, manage, and install time‑based media display equipment. Research obsolescence risks for artworks and communicate with other museum departments as needed to stockpile supplies, address obsolescence, and coordinate decision‑making for long‑term care of time‑based media. Qualifications A Master’s degree from a recognized art conservation program with a specialization in Objects is required, along with substantial practical experience (see levels below) and the ability to develop and undertake innovative treatments. Assistant Conservator: 0‑5 years post‑graduate experience. Associate Conservator: 5‑8 years post‑graduate experience. Conservator: 8+ years of post‑graduate experience. To support the needs of our diverse collection, a broad knowledge of materials and techniques is expected. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proven experience collaborating in a team environment. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and work independently are essential. The position comes with a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick time, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, AD&D, and LTD coverage. Employees may also participate in the Menil’s 401(k) plan and receive an employer contribution equivalent to 5% of wages earned after one year on the job. How to Apply Please send a cover letter, which includes the hiring level being sought, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references, which may be submitted electronically here or mailed to: Human Resources The Menil Collection 1511 Branard Street Houston, Texas 77006 The Menil Collection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workforce. The Menil is committed to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Menil Drawing Institute