Conservator

Description:

Duties

The Conservator (Time Based Media) is responsible for preventing or treating damage and deterioration of time-based media artwork to ensure its’ long-term preservation for future generations.

In this position, you will:

• Preserve and conserve assessments and treatments of Time Based Media Art (TBMA) objects.
• Perform technical examinations of TBMA objects to determine their condition and any treatments needed.
• Plan and conduct the file format migration of TBMA stored within the SI Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) and other SI digital repositories.
• Work with the NPG digital arts team in the documentation of media artworks in The Museum System (TMS) and bundling of digital files for uploading the files to the Digital Asset Management System (DAMS).
• Remain informed of current developments in TBMA conservation and digital preservation.
• Assist with processing new acquisitions, facilitating loans, and cataloguing of TBMA.
• Coordinate the planning, installation, and maintenance of TBMA exhibitions.
• Conduct written and photographic documentation of the individual installation processes, design/floor plans, and the installation’s gallery parameters of TBMA work slated for exhibition.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as 1) working in a museum or archival setting assessing the condition of time-based media (film, video, born-digital/computer-generated, light-or sound-based); 2) determining format of media; 3) creating archival formats of files; 4) examining and treating digital and physical components according to American Institute for Conservation (AIC) conservation standards; and 5) documenting conservation treatments through written reports, data, and photographs.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Or Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.