Conservator of Objects

Primary Function: The Conservator of Objects is responsible for the examination, documentation, and treatment of objects in the Barnes Foundation collection, as well as research into artists’ materials and methods according to institutional research priorities. The Conservator of Objects supports exhibitions, collections care, loans, and courier activities. The position is also responsible for monitoring works installed at Calder Gardens, in close collaboration with conservation, exhibition, registration, and facilities staff. The position reports to the Senior Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator of Paintings. They will contribute to the activities of the Barnes Foundation under the direction of the Vice President for Art and Education & Gund Family Chief Curator. 

Job Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in art conservation, or equivalent, with a minimum of ten years’ experience in object conservation 
• Knowledge of, and willingness to abide by, the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Excellent hand skills and knowledge of current conservation treatment practices
• Experience with digital and technical imaging for conservation documentation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with others as well as to work independently on treatments
• Capacity to manage deadlines
• Experience with collections management databases, especially Gallery System’s, The Museum System (TMS), highly desirable 
• Must be able to perform work duties and have transportation to the three campuses of the Barnes Foundation including the conservation laboratory in Merion (site of former Barnes Foundation Gallery), and the Barnes Foundation and Calder Gardens both situated on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia

Clearances: Criminal Background-National

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:

• Approximately 50%+ of worked time is spent standing or moving around the work area. 
• Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment or supplies. 
• Ability to move to access files, equipment or supplies.

Vision Requirements:

• This position requires the visual ability to see and ascertain the condition of collection objects; visual ability to use a computer, stere-binocular microscope, and a digital camera

Communication Requirements: 

• Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference. Communicate with others in conversational and written English.

Working Conditions:

• Position operates primarily in the Barnes’s object conservation laboratory on the campus of St. Joseph’s University’s Maguire Art Museum in Merion (site of former Barnes Foundation Gallery), and weekly on the Barnes and Calder Gardens campuses on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
• Position will require limited chemical use; will encounter dust during preventive housekeeping activities

Job Responsibilities:

• Performs examination and treatment of collection materials within the specialty field of objects conservation
• Performs technical studies to evaluate the materials and techniques used by an artist, maker, or school as necessary and/or as requested in collaboration with the conservation, curatorial, and research staff as well as external constituents.
• Responsible for written and photographic documentation of treatments including examination or condition reports, treatment proposals, and treatment documentation; responsible for digital images taken for treatment documentation and collaboration with the Senior Conservation Coordinator for attachment to the collections management database, TMS.
• Prepares incoming and outgoing condition reports for the transfer of the Barnes Foundation collection to offsite storage and/or between campuses for purposes of conservation, storage, or other scholarly activities.
• Participates in the loan and exhibition programs and prepares condition reports for loans of Barnes collection materials, temporary exhibition loan materials, makes recommendations for packing, and participates in courier responsibilities.
• Consults on display, installation, and mount making for borrowed objects with lending institutions and consults internally with conservation, preparation, and curatorial staff for Barnes Foundation materials.
• Monitors artwork installed at Calder Gardens, and is responsible for collaborating across departments for its care with a focus on preventive conservation
• Manages chemical hygiene and safety protocols for the Merion conservation laboratory.
• As a member of the conservation department, works with contract and project conservators, department interns and volunteers, and assists with supervision, as requested.
• Assists in the ongoing training of Barnes Foundation collections staff, contract conservation staff, and interns on the basics of conservation and art handling; participates in presentations and conservation tours for staff, students, docents, donors, or other public constituents of the Barnes Foundation, as requested.
• Keeps current in the field of object conservation by attending conferences as funding permits, reading professional journals, and conferring with colleagues.
• Delivers research papers at professional meetings and/or publishes in professional journals as departmental funding and time permits. 
• As a team member of the conservation department, assists in the research, maintenance, and ordering of supplies and equipment in the conservation department.
• Maintains a safe and professional workspace.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Organization-Wide Competencies:

1. Accountability: 

a. Prepares for work assignments and meetings, 

b. Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through, 

c. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment. 

2. Job Quality: 

a. Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position,

b. Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output, 

c. Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role. 

3. Service: 

a. Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions. 

b. Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment in accordance with our Core Values. 

c. Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas. 

4. Leadership: 

a. Sets a good example for others, 

b. Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication, 

c. Makes decisions. Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach. 

5. Collaboration: 

a. Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making, 

b. Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests and others, 

c. Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.