Director of Conservation | Toledo Museum of Art

Job Title:  Director of Conservation

Department:  Collections

Reports To: Senior Director of Collections & Curatorial Affairs

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Job Status:  Full-Time

Annual Compensation Range: $81,734 – $122,601

Deadline to Apply:  May 08, 2023

Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus.

And thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.

SUMMARY

The Director of Conservation is responsible for leading the administrative operations and day-to-day implementation of the Conservation department regarding planning, budgeting, programming, and implementation of conservation projects for the long-term care and maintenance of the collection. This position is responsible for the care and treatment of the museum’s art collections, with advanced knowledge of profession-wide principles and methods used in the preservation, research, and conservation of art in accordance with the AIC codes of ethics and standards of practice. This position provides direct supervision over conservation staff, outside conservators, and those contracted to work on the collection for a broad range of activities including conservation assessment and treatment of collections, exhibition, acquisition and loan programs, disaster planning and response, and environmental monitoring. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Leads the Conservation department and supervises departmental staff as well as the work of contract employees.
• Establishes priorities, conducts team meetings, delegates authority to reporting staff, and monitors staff performance.
• Develops and maintains the Conservation budget. 
• Establishes and maintains conservation protocols for the department and policies related to the care and maintenance of the collection for the museum overall. 
• Undertakes conservation of artworks, including examination, treatment, and oversight of environmental monitoring utilizing best museum methods in accordance with AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. 
• Examines artworks concerning material identification and technology, including use of analytical instrumentation such as XRF and microscopy.
• Maintains the conservation laboratories including evaluation, recommendation, and procurement of specialized equipment, supplies and services.
• Remains current in conservation practices and trends in the profession and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with local, national, and international colleagues.
• Works cross‐divisionally with other department heads (Curatorial Affairs, Registrars, Exhibitions, IT, Learning & Interpretation, Finance, Facilities, Protective Services and others) to communicate the priorities and activities of the Conservation team.
• Conducts professional and public outreach and educational opportunities in conservation through programs, lectures, publication, activities, tours, and social media. 
• Travels domestically and internationally as needed to research, acquire, examine, treat, and courier artworks.
• Assists with rehousing and preparing artworks utilizing methods and materials suitable for transport and long-term storage and exhibition. 
• Trains and provides guidance for museum staff in artwork handling, preservation decision-making and physical care workflow.
• Contributes to space planning, building construction/renovation, and collection storage initiatives.
• Maintains an effective disaster/emergency response and recovery plan, in consultation with the Registrars, Curators and Protective Services staff; may lead recovery activities in event of a disaster. Develops protocols for response to art emergencies. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

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EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program required
• 7+ years of conservation work experience in a supervisory capacity required

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
• Possesses good judgement and time management, engage in creative problem solving and use materials efficiently. 
• Ability to anticipate and acquire necessary supplies and materials create/follow a production schedule for projects to meet deadlines. 
• Effectively communicate verbally and maintain collaborative working relationship with employees, supervisor, curators, and other co-workers. Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and openness to different perspectives.
• Promotes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion goals.
• Experienced in the examination, treatment, and documentation of artworks within their area of specialty using a wide range of materials and understanding of methods of manufacture.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management methods, Gallery Maintenance, and Environmental Monitoring.
• Must be detail oriented, patient, and possess fine technical skills. Visual acuity, depth and color perception are necessary.
• Knowledge of safe art handling practices and principles of professional museum collection care. 
• Knowledge of conservation documentation, health and safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, safety data sheets (SDS) and procedure manuals.  
• Conservation photography and imaging technology experience preferred (e.g., RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging), multi-spectral imaging, etc.)  
• Certification and experience with scissor lift, power tools, and shop equipment a plus. 
• Computer skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams). Familiarity with museum database systems TMS (The Museum System) and apps such as Articheck and Wrike preferred.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to the Senior Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs.
• Works with members of Curatorial Affairs, Registrars, Exhibitions, IT, Learning & Interpretation, Finance, Facilities, Protective Services and others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work environment varies between office, lab, museum, and outdoor settings: Work environment may be shared with co-workers, with related phone, computer, and printer noise. May work extended or non-standard hours, weekends and holidays based on business needs. Occasional local and overnight travel may be required. Work can occur in a chemical lab environment where safety and security precautions must be observed. Office setting requires the ability to operate a computer, iPad, camera, and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, printer, scanner, and phone system. Lab setting requires adherence to all safety and security precautions with knowledge in using lab equipment such as microscopes, analytical equipment, measuring equipment, balance scale, hot plate with magnetic stirrer, lab oven. Able to work in outdoor conditions common to the Toledo, Ohio area including environments that can be hot/cold/humid/windy with sun/rain/sleet/snow. Ability to climb and work on ladders/scaffolding, lift equipment, (not have a fear of heights), move/lift to 25 lbs. and stand, crouch, sit or be in awkward settings for prolonged periods of time. Ability to wear personal protective gear including goggles, masks, respirator, gloves protective clothing, etc. Ability to use power tools and equipment including pressure washer and torches.

BENEFITS

• 25 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
• 6 Paid Holidays Annually
• 2 Paid Floating Holidays Annually
• 3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually
• Birthday Paid Day Off
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Museum Family Membership
• Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Café, Studio Art Classes, & More!

The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at jobs@toledomuseum.org or (567)-666-0387.