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Assistant Conservator, Paper specialty, Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon

By Samantha Springer posted 01-24-2020 14:51

  
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
ASSISTANT CONSERVATOR
PORTLAND ART MUSEUM, OREGON

Overview
The Assistant Conservator works with the Conservator and other collections staff to care for works of art in the permanent collection and on loan to the Museum, through preventive activities, a forward-thinking interdepartmental approach, steward-focused and inclusive treatment activities, innovative and ethical documentation, as well as community building. While the Assistant Conservator will specialize in the treatment of works on paper, they will be involved in the care and assessment of the entire collection to support the work of the conservation department as a whole.

The position start date will be after April 30, 2020 for a duration of 2 years working fulltime.

About the Museum
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum's collection of 42,000 objects reflects the history of art from ancient times to today. The collection is distinguished for its holdings of arts of the native peoples of North America; modern and contemporary art; Asian and American art; photographs, prints, and drawings; and English silver.
With more than 112,000 square feet of gallery space, the Museum ranks in the top 25 museums in the country with the most gallery and exhibition space. An active collecting institution, the Museum dedicates 90 percent of its gallery space to its permanent collection. In addition to its  permanent collection, the Museum is recognized for its special exhibitions and intimate exhibition series, including the APEX program, a
contemporary art series, and presentations in the Gilkey Center galleries. The Northwest Film Center, established in 1978, is a regional media arts organization founded to encourage the study and appreciation of the moving image arts. The Center provides a variety of film and video exhibitions, as well as education and information programs. Annual membership consists of 20,000 member households, representing more than 96,000 individuals. More than 350,000 visitors are welcomed annually, including more than 50,000 schoolchildren.
The Museum's annual operating budget is approximately $16 million. Approximately 150 full-time staff members and 300 volunteers work in the Museum. The galleries are open six days a week (Tuesday through Sunday), with extended hours on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Equity, Inclusion and Accommodation
The Portland Art Museum (PAM) strives to be an inclusive institution that facilitates respectful dialogue, debate, and the free exchange of ideas. With a deep commitment to artists – past and present – and freedom of expression, the Museum and Northwest Film Center's collections, programs and staff aspire to reveal the beauty and complexities of the world, and create a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
We are a Museum for all, inviting everyone to connect with art through their own experiences, voices, and personal journeys. The Northwest Film Center (NWFC), a sister organization to the Museum, is a regional media arts resource and service organization founded to encourage the study, appreciation, and utilization of the moving image arts, foster their artistic and professional excellence, and to help create a climate in which they may flourish. PAM and the NWFC are committed to advancing equity and inclusion by creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We will continue learning as we work to evolve as an Institution, recognizing that this journey has no end and our commitment must remain. We have an active equity team currently engaged in a journey to examine our internal culture and the work we do through an equity lens. We look forward to having all colleagues join and contribute to this important work. Learn more at https://portlandartmuseum.org/about/mission/.
PAM and the NWFC are equal opportunity employers, committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political belief, disability or any other legally protected status. We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, PAM and the NWFC will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application, interview, and hiring process. Alternative formats of this application are available upon request. If reasonable accommodation or an alternative form of this application are 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 at hr@pam.org or 503.276.4358.

Essential Functions:
• Promotes and supports institutional equity and inclusion goals by considering E&I in the greater goals of the department. Does essential functions upholding the Museum in positive light and Institutional values.
• Participate in all operations and responsibilities associated with an active museum conservation program under the supervision of the Conservator including examination, technical analysis, materials research, documentation, preparation for exhibition, and treatment of works of art in the permanent collection and on loan or pre-accession to the museum as needed.
• Work with Conservator, Conservation Technician, Curators, and Registrars to prioritize workload and treatments of artwork.
• Advise Museum staff regarding standards for environmental conditions for the storage and display of works of art on paper and photographs
• Maintain and improve skills through practical experience and by workshop and professional conference attendance
• Participate in workspace maintenance, including cleaning and organization of studio space, maintaining material inventories and tools, obtaining supplies, and cleaning labware
• Provide consultation and referrals to the public

Additional Job Functions:
• Participate in condition reporting of traveling exhibition as needed
• Performs art courier duties as needed
• Advises Staff on techniques of handling, installation and packing as needed
• Collaborates with Staff, Volunteers, and Docents to spread knowledge of
collections care and conservation practices

Requirements:
• Master's Degree (preferred) in Art Conservation with specialization in paper or
photographs or equivalent combination of training, experience, and education.
• Experience in a conservation lab setting under the supervision of a Conservator
• Broad general knowledge of conservation techniques with specialization in one area
• Demonstrated conservation treatment documentation, treatment, and rationale
• Skill in writing clear, succinct, and accurate descriptive condition and treatment reports and proposals and taking accurate documentation photography
• Skill in working independently, in concert with co-workers, and coordinating with the public.
• Work collaboratively in an equitable and inclusive framework with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to problem solve.

Application Process:
This is a temporary assignment lasting 2 years working full-time (35 hrs. per week), exempt and compensation is budgeted at $50,000 annually. This position is eligible for the Museum's standard benefits package first of the month following 30-days of full-time employment. Benefits include medical and dental, paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday, jury duty, bereavement), long-term disability and AD&D, and a variety of perks such as
free Museum admission, Gift Shop discounts, and screenings at the NW Film Center. Please see our website for more details.

To apply online visit: www.portlandartmuseum.org/careers follow the link to create a profile. Resumes received without completed employment application will not be considered. Please no drop ins. For questions or accommodation please contact hr@pam.org.
The Portland Art Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date: February 13, 2020 at 4 PM PST

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