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View Full Version : Chief Preparator: The Menil Collection, Houston, Texas



Suzanne Maloch
06-06-2016, 08:50 AM
Essential Duties:



Plan, prioritize, and schedule work; assess resource needs and determine adjustments as required; hire regular and temporary staff; direct, supervise, and evaluate their work.
Confer with members of the Collection Management Department, curatorial, conservation, exhibition design, guest artists, other museum departments, and staff/couriers from other institutions in planning for the logistics and installation/deinstallation of temporary and permanent exhibits.
Effectively perform various skilled tasks pertaining to the fabrication of museum displays, mounts, and housing for art objects utilizing knowledge and skills regarding woodworking, use of adhesives and fasteners, construction methods, and safe use of power tools.
Supervise technicians and temporary art handlers, and work alongside them, in the preparation of artwork and the installation/deinstallation of exhibitions and permanent collection rotations.
Consult with registration and conservation with regard to art movement and handling, packing/crating, and housing of artwork for outgoing loans.
Assist the Chief Registrar with determining and monitoring the departmental budgets, and assist in the development of exhibition and special project budgets.
Organize the department’s short-term and long-term projects outside of exhibitions and maintain clean and organized preparation areas on the dock, holding room, and in the basement. Load and unload works of art and fixtures; handle and carry art objects and receive and dispatch works of art into and out of the Museum; oversee day-to-day incoming and outgoing shipments and arrange for uncrating and distribution.
Act as a primary screener and follow all regulations as determined by the TSA and Homeland Security.
Maintain storage rooms and work with Registration and TMS Administrator to maintain inventory and track all moves of artwork within the Menil’s main-campus buildings.
Receive or release some shipments after regular hours or on weekends.
Act as domestic or international courier, as needed. Travel estimated at approximately three (3) times per year.
Special projects as assigned by the Chief Registrar.


Qualifications:



Bachelor’s degree preferable with a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the supervision of museum exhibitions, including at least two years in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Knowledge of ‘best practices’ for handling valuable works of art, including those for installing exhibits, housing, crating, and packing and unpacking objects; knowledge of art handling procedures for two-and-three dimensional art objects in a variety of materials, sizes, and weights, including rigging and movement of art, mount-making principles, and lighting concepts.
Knowledge of management principles, including supervision of staff; training practices, and policies and procedures; understanding of basic administrative functions. A basic knowledge of TMS (The Museum System), Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook preferred.
Ability to develop and manage budgets; prepare cost estimates; and make sound purchasing decisions.
Ability to work cooperatively with supervisor, museum staff, outside clients, vendors, and the general public.
Ability to proficiently and safely utilize shop equipment including stationary and portable power tools and knowledge of or ability to learn how to operate a forklift and scissor lift.
Knowledge of safety procedures related to the handling of materials, woods, chemical solvents, adhesives, and solutions.
Ability to perform labor intensive work to include frequent lifting, pulling and pushing of 50 lbs.
Must have valid driver’s license and passport.


Salary and benefits competitive and commensurate withexperience.Please send resume and coverletter with salary expectations to: Human Resources, The Menil Collection, 1511Branard Street, Houston, Texas 77006.Application materials may also be emailedto: smmaloch@menil.org (smmaloch@menil.org).