Museum Conservator

Description:

The National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Conservation Unit is seeking to fill a museum conservator position to support the renovation and redesign of our Washington, DC location. The candidate will work in a team of conservators to provide conservation work to support the ongoing renovation of 23 galleries. We are seeking individuals with a diverse range of material experience to support the examination, documentation, and treatment of a variety of objects in the NASM collection. The collection features artifacts from the 18th century to the present and represents a full range of materials relating to the history of aviation and space exploration. The Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory has a range of testing and analytical capabilities and partners with other Smithsonian museums to enable access to a wide variety of analytical equipment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary duty of this position is to work within a team of conservators to examine, document and treat objects for display in the newly re-designed and upgraded galleries at the Washington D.C. museum location. The candidate will work with gallery team members and curators to provide input regarding exhibition design, environmental requirements, and mount fabrication. Both large and small artifacts will require varying levels of treatment and preservation. Collaboration with unit colleagues in the Collections Division will be undertaken on larger team projects. The conservation team meets regularly to ensure deadlines for gallery installs are on track and to work as a unit to problem solve and determine solutions to challenging treatments. All documentation will be recorded using The Museum System artifact catalogue and database at NASM. Administrative support for the conservation unit and the project includes identifying and purchasing supplies and equipment related to treatment needs; working with volunteers; participating in NASM and Smithsonian wide safety programs as required; and collaboration with NASM colleagues. On-site gallery installation and deinstallation support is scheduled to meet project timelines.