The Museum Resources Division (MRD) for the State of New Mexico is seeking to fill its Chief Conservator position.
About the Organization:
Located within the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, MRD is comprised of skilled museum specialists that serve multiple New Mexico state-run museums and historic sites. MRD includes conservators, designers, woodworkers, mount makers, preparators, writers, editors, and educators. MRD provides services to the Museum of International Folk Art, New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors, New Mexico Museum of Art, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and seven state historic sites.
About the Department:
The conservation department is responsible for the preservation of the cultural materials in the Museums of New Mexico system. Conservators work in concert with MRD staff as well as Museum and Historic Site curators, collections managers and outside contractors. They carry out treatments and technical/scholarly research as well as consult on exhibitions, loans, accessioning/deaccessioning, and general collections care. Additionally, conservators work on special grant-funded projects, train museum and staff in best practices, and participate in consultations with artists and descendent community members.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of New Mexico‘s Museum Resources Division, the Chief Conservator manages the organization’s conservation program. They act as an advocate for conservation and preservation within MRD and the institutions they serve; create policies and procedures on preservation issues including recommendations pertaining to exhibitions, storage, loan and acquisitions of collections; direct project workflows within the conservation lab; develop conservation and collection care priorities; draft grant proposals to fund special projects; perform conservation treatments and carry out research.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Directs operations of the Conservation lab in consultation with the Director of the Museum Resources Division.
- Provides oversight for two in-house conservation laboratories including supervising, mentoring, and facilitating work for a highly motivated and talented team of 4 permanent conservators.
- Creates long and short-range plans for the department regarding budgeting, staffing, equipment, facilities and research to meet collection needs.
- Provides guidance on and ensures implementation of best practices within the lab in all areas including -- documentation, conservation practices, digital asset management, materials research/analysis, lab safety, emergency preparedness and response, integrated pest management as well as artist and descendent community collaboration.
- Serves as an advocate for and representative of conservation. Provides leadership on the topics of collection care and exhibitions including recommendations for appropriate environmental conditions, handling, mounting, display, packing and crating, transportation, and storage practices.
- Networks with colleagues and donors as well writes grants to secure outside funding.
- Carries out conservation documentation and treatment of collection materials in adherence with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
- Conducts research and analysis related to the materials/methods of manufacture and preservation of collections materials and supports staff conservators in their efforts.
- Maintains current knowledge of best practices within the field of conservation and cultural heritage preservation through readings, conference attendance, online discussions, personal contact, etc. Disseminates research and description of conservation activities in a range of platforms including lectures and publications.
Desired Candidate Qualifications: Education and Experience
- Degree from a recognized graduate conservation program with a minimum of ten years of museum experience.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills including a demonstrated ability to prioritize, delegate and meet deadlines on multiple projects.
- Ability to work effectively and collegially with personnel across the museum.
- Proven track-record for leadership in a museum conservation lab setting; experience supervising and collaborating with conservators at a variety of career stages, from pre-program intern to senior conservator.
- Superior written and oral communication skills; experience with grant writing and public speaking preferred.
- Good problems solving skills and the ability to find creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Experience collaborating with descendent community members, artists, scholars, curators and/or scientists in service of building knowledge about the history, materials/methods of manufacture and care/conservation of museum collections.
- Demonstrated experience with complex conservation treatment of painting, paper, photographs, textiles, and/or three-dimensional objects as well as experience with as exhibition, packing/shipping, and collections care practices for diverse collections.
- Conversant in technical analysis of objects using a range of tools and techniques including multispectral imaging, XRF, FTIR, microscopy, etc.
- Proficient with a variety of software for administration/project management, database management, image processing, and condition reporting.
Compensation:
Salary: $20.23 - $35.21 Hourly or $42,088 - $73,233 Annually
Benefits: The State of New Mexico provides a competitive employee benefits package that includes: employer-paid medical contributions, pension (PERA retirement) contributions, paid leave allowances for vacation days, sick days and paid holidays. Additionally, State employees can take advantage of a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan that allows for contributions to a tax-deferred savings program that can be used to supplement their retirement plan.
Application Procedures
Candidates must apply through New Mexico’s State Office of Personnel website: https://www.spo.state.nm.us The job is listed as: Chief Conservator (DCA #4568) / Job ID 111078. This position is open until filled, with the first consideration given to applications received by April 17, 2020.
For questions about the application process please reach out to the MRD Division Director, David Rohr, at 505-476-1137 or david.rohr@state.nm.us.
MRD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, 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.