erika.katayama
02-27-2018, 10:55 AM
Associate ConservatorChicago, ILThe Field Museum seeks to hire an Associate Conservator full-time to participate on the conservation team dedicated to the transformation of the Museum’s 60-year old Hall of Native North America into a new exhibition experience. A generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and an individual donation will contribute to the conservation of the Museum’s significant Native North American collections and engage in collaborations with descendant communities in the development of the new exhibition.
Tentatively scheduled to open in 2021, Native American Journeys is central to the Museum’s current strategic plan. The Field Museum’s Native North American collection of approximately 770,000 artifacts ranks among the largest and most comprehensive in the world. The project is expected to involve two major conservation stages: (1) the deinstallation, documentation, and care of objects currently on view that will return to collections storage and (2) the documentation, stabilization, and treatment preparation of objects that will go on exhibition in the new galleries. A wide range of artifact material composition includes skin, textile, beadwork, quill work, feathers, metals, ceramics, wood, and plant fiber. The Associate Conservator will report to the Head of Conservation.
This is a term position (until June 2021, with possibility for extension). Applicants of Native American heritage are encouraged to apply.
To apply for the position, interested candidates should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae on the Museum’s website. Questions about the position may be directed to Stephanie Hornbeck, Head of Conservation, at shornbeck@fieldmuseum.org. The deadline for application is March 23, 2018.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Serve as the daily conservation team manager, supervising the assistant conservator and two conservation technicians
· In consultation with the Head of Conservation, guide the daily and weekly workflow and provide guidance to the team members
· In consultation with the Head of Conservation, communicate the treatment protocols for documentation, cleaning, stabilization, and treatment
· Undertake condition assessment and treatment of objects
· Provide consultation for mounts and artifact housingDocument work with written reports, digital photographs, and additional imaging and analytical techniques, as relevantShare knowledge and research findings in professional publications and conferences, as well as in Museum tours and programs Work will involve collaboration with Native community representatives to understand methods of manufacture and desired traditional care of artifacts and to share museum practices.
Qualifications
· A Master’s degree in conservation, specializing in ethnographic objects or textiles, from an accredited graduate conservation program is preferred. Candidates with demonstrable comparable experience will be considered.
· A minimum of four years of post-graduate professional conservation experience.
· An understanding of, and competency in, conservation methods, techniques, and ethical practices particular to the care of anthropological collections.
· Experience working with Native North American material culture is desired.
· Interest in and experience with native consultation is desired.
· A working knowledge of conservation laboratory setting.
· Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
· The ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment with other conservators, collections staff, and museum colleagues.
Knowledge of standard conservation imaging techniques, office software and collection management databases (in particular KE-EMu).
Tentatively scheduled to open in 2021, Native American Journeys is central to the Museum’s current strategic plan. The Field Museum’s Native North American collection of approximately 770,000 artifacts ranks among the largest and most comprehensive in the world. The project is expected to involve two major conservation stages: (1) the deinstallation, documentation, and care of objects currently on view that will return to collections storage and (2) the documentation, stabilization, and treatment preparation of objects that will go on exhibition in the new galleries. A wide range of artifact material composition includes skin, textile, beadwork, quill work, feathers, metals, ceramics, wood, and plant fiber. The Associate Conservator will report to the Head of Conservation.
This is a term position (until June 2021, with possibility for extension). Applicants of Native American heritage are encouraged to apply.
To apply for the position, interested candidates should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae on the Museum’s website. Questions about the position may be directed to Stephanie Hornbeck, Head of Conservation, at shornbeck@fieldmuseum.org. The deadline for application is March 23, 2018.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Serve as the daily conservation team manager, supervising the assistant conservator and two conservation technicians
· In consultation with the Head of Conservation, guide the daily and weekly workflow and provide guidance to the team members
· In consultation with the Head of Conservation, communicate the treatment protocols for documentation, cleaning, stabilization, and treatment
· Undertake condition assessment and treatment of objects
· Provide consultation for mounts and artifact housingDocument work with written reports, digital photographs, and additional imaging and analytical techniques, as relevantShare knowledge and research findings in professional publications and conferences, as well as in Museum tours and programs Work will involve collaboration with Native community representatives to understand methods of manufacture and desired traditional care of artifacts and to share museum practices.
Qualifications
· A Master’s degree in conservation, specializing in ethnographic objects or textiles, from an accredited graduate conservation program is preferred. Candidates with demonstrable comparable experience will be considered.
· A minimum of four years of post-graduate professional conservation experience.
· An understanding of, and competency in, conservation methods, techniques, and ethical practices particular to the care of anthropological collections.
· Experience working with Native North American material culture is desired.
· Interest in and experience with native consultation is desired.
· A working knowledge of conservation laboratory setting.
· Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
· The ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment with other conservators, collections staff, and museum colleagues.
Knowledge of standard conservation imaging techniques, office software and collection management databases (in particular KE-EMu).