Associate Conservator of Objects & Sculpture

The Conservation Department at the Museum of Art, Houston (MFAH) seeks applicants for an Associate/Conservator of Objects and Sculpture with a strong focus on Modern and Contemporary materials. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has an encyclopedic collection, which includes almost 70,000 objects and spans 5,000 years of achievement in the arts. The recently concluded Museum expansion transformed the Museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and art education. The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation, part of the campus expansion, includes Conservation Science, Decorative Arts and Furniture, Historic Frames, Painting, Photography and Sculpture and Objects labs, as well as Imaging and conservation preparatory studios. The Associate/Conservator of Sculpture and Objects will report to the Senior Objects and Sculpture conservator and join a dynamic team of 15 full-time staff members, including conservators, conservation scientists, technicians and framers, and departmental coordinator and assistant.
The Associate/Conservator will participate in all aspects of care, including technical examinations, treatment, and preventive care for the sculpture and objects collections, and will participate in outreach efforts, programming, and mentoring of junior staff including graduate interns, fellows, and pre-program interns. The successful candidate must have a broad knowledge of museum practices and collections management, and a proven familiarity with the treatment and study of the many types of materials represented in the Museum's encyclopedic collection. They should be organized, detail-oriented, highly motivated, and have demonstrated the ability to work independently and collaboratively with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies, to achieve institutional objectives and fulfill the mission of the Museum. Close collaboration with the curators, other members of the conservation department, and collections care staff is essential.
Responsibilities
The Associate/Conservator of Sculpture and Objects is responsible for the preservation, examination, documentation, and treatment of the MFAH's Sculpture and Objects collection, in accordance with the AIC (American Institute of Conservation) code of ethics. They will work independently and jointly with other staff members as necessary, to examine and document the objects, and create condition reports to provide media and support descriptions and describe the manufacturing techniques. They will analyze objects to decide upon requirements for handling, storage, exhibition, and travel and to determine if treatment is required, create treatment proposals, and carry out conservation treatments. They will conduct research relevant to the field, with a focus on the MFAH collection and exhibitions, treatment, and as necessary, they will propose and carry out additional analysis in collaboration with the MFAH Conservation Scientist.
Aspirationally speaking, we hope they will promote a culture of open communication, aspire to excellence in all aspects of their word, serve as a model for others and works to continually improve the functioning of the department and museum.
We will provide travel and professional development opportunities and as appropriate, they will be encouraged to participate in education and outreach to fellow professionals and the general public through lectures or publications, including e-publications and web content.
Requirements and Qualifications
This role will require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree and completion of a graduate-level course of study in Conservation or equivalent education and training. The position requires at least ten years of post-internship experience in object and sculpture conservation, preferably with a demonstrated interest in modern and contemporary art. The successful candidate must be highly organized, and have a broad knowledge of museum practices and collections management, a proven familiarity with the types and materials represented in the Museum's collection, and records of achievement in the field. In addition, they should have demonstrated the ability to work independently as well as successfully with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies, to achieve institutional objectives. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential, as is an ability to work with databases, word processing, and other computing tools that the staff is expected to use on a regular basis.
A successful applicant is expected to effectively manage a heavy workload and meet critical deadlines.
Ability to engage in critical thinking, define problems, collect, and enter data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Other requirements include working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, Museum Collection Database software, directory structures, file management, imaging and data management systems, Adobe Photoshop, and the ability to work on both Mac and PC systems.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1,000 docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 65,000 works of art in a wide range of media.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Essential duties may include the following:

• Occasionally (with assistance) lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for handling artwork and operation of tools and equipment.
• Standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and peripheral vision.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of radiation. (PPE will be supplied.)

A more comprehensive job description is available upon request.
Equal Opportunities for All
At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.
Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.
The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org
Benefits:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program

Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.

• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• Employees may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible employees contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service. (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)
• MFAH Membership - Employees receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts - Employees receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.

Compensation:
Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description.

Job Type: Full-time