The Elaine S. Harrington Senior Conservator of Furniture and Woodwork

Philadelphia, PA
Full Time
Experienced
We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Reporting to The Neubauer Family Director of Conservation, The Elaine S. Harrington Senior Conservator of Furniture and Woodwork is responsible for the administration and management of the Furniture and Woodwork Conservation department and for providing expertise, sound judgment, and leadership at the highest professional standard in the planning, scheduling and implementation of the department’s activities in preservation, conservation practice, research and scholarship, teaching and mentoring, professional engagement, and outreach.


Specifically, you will:
  • Lead the Furniture and Woodwork Conservation department in delivering excellence in all aspects of the examination, preservation, and restoration of the wide range of joined wooden objects and architecture for which the museum is responsible.
  • Undertake examination, documentation, and treatment of furniture and woodwork, including furniture, architectural woodwork, period rooms, and two 18th C houses in Fairmount Park, Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove that are administered and maintained by the PMA.
  • Study and evaluate the structure, appearance, condition, and authenticity of wooden objects. Investigate makers' materials and techniques through historical and technical research.
  • Manage the Furniture and Woodwork Conservation Department, determining priorities and goals, scheduling, and annual budget planning.
  • Oversee laboratory and woodshop, establishing and maintaining safety practices and equipment upkeep.
  • Supervise Furniture and Woodwork Conservation staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers.
  • Support professional development for Furniture and Woodwork Conservation staff,  their professional engagement and contributions to public programs and outreach.
  • Specify and implement preventive conservation measures to promote optimal preservation of objects for exhibition, storage, or transport. This includes evaluation and recommendations for loan, active participation in offsite storage planning and maintenance.
  • Keep up-to-date with current conservation developments through self-directed learning and training, conferences, and professional exchange. Be active within the conservation profession (publishing articles, essays, attending and presenting at conferences, workshops, etc.).
  • Administer lab, develop budget and project resource needs, manage schedule and department commitments, create and implement short- and long-range plans for collections.
  • Work collaboratively across the institution, including with facilities, curators, designers, art handlers, registrars, and others to support preservation needs.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


Your background and experience include:
  • Master’s degree in Conservation, or Bachelor’s degree and equivalent training, and a minimum of 10 years post-graduate experience in the field.
  • Strong knowledge of conservation ethics, theory, and practice relative to the care and treatment of wooden objects and finishes.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Managerial and supervisory experience.
  • Superior leadership skills, able to motivate, direct, instruct, and counsel staff effectively.
  • A track record of successful project development, planning, implementation, and completion.


Position and Compensation Details
  • The salary range for this position is $85,917-96,000.
  • This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
  • This position reports to The Neubauer Family Director of Conservation.
  • Physical requirements:
    • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
  • Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.


Institutional Requirements
  • Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
  • Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
  • Maintains confidentiality.
  • Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.


Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early, as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool, or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks, including, but not limited to:
 
  • Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
  • Discounted guest tickets for admission
  • Discounts on gift memberships
  • Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
  • Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:
 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
  • Health savings or flexible spending account program
  • Retirement savings program with museum match
  • Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.

 
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