Position: Collections Technician, Art in Public Places Program
Agency: Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA)
Salary: $3,105.00 - $4,040.00 Monthly
Application deadline: June 26, 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
To apply: http://careers.wa.gov/
The
Washington State Arts Commission's Art in Public Places Program seeks a Collections Technician to maintain, repair, install, de-install, and transport artworks in the State Art Collection. The successful candidate will work as part of a team of three to improve the long-term care and conservation of the State Art Collection. The Collection includes 4,700 artworks located in public spaces throughout Washington State.
Who we are:
The mission of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. Our Art in Public Places program purchases and cares for artworks in state buildings, colleges, universities, and schools throughout Washington.
What you will be doing:
The Collections Technician (Preservation & Museum Specialist 3) will maintain, repair, install, de-install, and transport public art throughout the state. The position requires regular and extensive travel to twelve hundred (1,200) public buildings and facilities throughout Washington, where the State Art Collection resides. The Collections Technician will coordinate their work with the staff of K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and state agencies.
Who we are looking for:
The ideal candidate is an arts professional with hands-on experience working with unique artworks. They can plan a complex schedule that includes a combination of artwork condition assessments, maintenance activities, and repair. They make thoughtful decisions about artwork treatments based on best practices. They carefully document artwork condition and any treatment activities. They demonstrate excellent time management and can prioritize activities in the field. They see their interactions across the state as an opportunity to be an ambassador for the State Art Collection. The job requires independent thinking and the ability to collaborate with a team.
Duties
Perform maintenance and specialized conservation on artwork in the State Art Collection
- Perform maintenance activities such as cleaning and applying protective coatings that involves the use of paints, solvents, and similar products in conditions that may include maintenance of artworks that give off dust or off-gas.
- Perform specialized conservation and restoration activities (artwork treatment).
- Document conservation/restoration activities (photographic and written; database interface).
- Plan and coordinate projects (site preparation, tool/supply/equipment needs, coordination with partner agencies and contractors, travel planning).
- Monitor, provide feedback, and adjust maintenance methods and schedules based on experience in the field and priorities identified by Conservation Manager.
- Develop scopes of work for artwork repair and maintenance, based on artwork condition evaluations.
- Write field orders and purchase requests for materials and tools.
Install, de-install, and transport artwork using art handling best practices.
- Plan and coordinate installation and de-installation efforts (tool/supply/equipment needs, coordination with partner agencies and contractors, travel planning).
- Prepare artwork for transportation and installation (site and artwork appropriate hardware and packing).
- Install or de-install artwork on site (public schools, colleges, universities, state agencies).
- Document artwork installation/de-installation (photographic and written; database interface).
Evaluate the conditions of artworks in the State Art Collection
- Evaluate and document artwork and environmental conditions (photographic and written; database interface) to inform scopes of work for maintenance, conservation, and restoration.
- Research agents of deterioration as needed.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in studio art or a closely allied field
AND
Two (2) years of relevant professional or educational experience.
Please note: Relevant professional experience and/or apprenticeships may be considered a substitute for a degree.
Expectations:
- Experience with one or more of the following: art/sculpture materials, artwork fabrication, artwork conservation, museum exhibition and object preparation, mount-making, or fine art framing;
- Knowledge of common art materials and ability to identify damage or signs of deterioration;
- Must be able to travel statewide most weeks of the month, including overnight stays;
- Must be able to drive and have a valid driver's license.
Physical demands and abilities: * Transfer/Relocate objects weighing 50 pounds.
* Work at heights over eight feet.
* Stoop/bend/kneel to access and move objects.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with artwork maintenance, professional art handling, and safe artwork storage and transportation methods.
- An ability to troubleshoot problems with mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Experience with construction and carpentry.
- Experience operating boom, scissors, and/or forklifts, gantries, power and shop tools, and other equipment and machinery requiring constant attention.
- Experience working around paints, solvents, and similar products, and around artworks that may give off dust or off-gas (taking all due precautions prescribed by OSHA regulations).
- Experience taking high-quality photographs of art objects using a DSLR camera and experience using photo-editing software.
- Computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and the internet;
- Customer service skills; communications skills (written and oral); professionalism;
- Attention to detail; ability to meet deadlines, and multi-task under general supervision;
- Ability to work independently, coordinate with others, and work as a contributing member of a team;
- Willingness to take initiative and exercise appropriate level of authority;
- Experience operating office equipment (phone, copier).
For full description and TO APPLY: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2470510/collections-technician-preservation-museum-specialist-3?keywords=Collections%20Technician&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs