Job Title: Senior Preparator
Location: BRUTON HEIGHTS WALLACE CONSERVATION BUILDING
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Starting Rate: Up to $19.00/hour
Additional Benefits:
Type of Position: Full-Time
Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours weekly, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays for special events
Requires Valid Virginia Drivers License: Yes
Minimum Age: 21
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Senior Preparator is responsible for protecting and preserving Colonial Williamsburg’s irreplaceable cultural assets by utilizing best museum practices in storage, packing, handling, and moving the Foundation’s collections.
Coordinates and leads teams of colleagues to plan, install and de-install collections objects into the Historic Area Buildings and in exhibits at the Museums.
Directs and participates in moves of fragile and sometimes heavy furniture and other collections objects at all seasonal changes and preventive maintenance closings.
Serves as lead courier to transport safely and responsibly collections within the Foundation and to and from lenders, dealers, and auction houses, occasionally requiring out-of-state travel.
Packs collections for travel in Collections vehicles within and outside of the Foundation including soft-packing and crating.
Designs and creates archival supports and containers appropriate for transport and storage of collections.
Resolves complex packing and transportation arrangements as they arise for object moves using accepted museum practices.
Develops safe object movement training program together with collections and conservation staff. Conducts refresher training for staff as needed and regular training for new collections and conservation employees.
Revises and maintains an up-to-date Foundation Art Handling Manual for use by the collections and conservation staff.
Computer
Produces correspondence, reports, and records using Microsoft Word.
Prepares reports using TMS (The Museum System), a collections management database, for collections moves and inventories.
Inventories collections as assigned by Registrar.
Documents collections movements as appropriate according to established museum record-keeping procedures.
Participates in emergency preparation and disaster recovery activities.
Manages the care of Collections vehicles including maintaining them in proper working order, stocking them with specialized art handling equipment and supplies, outfitting them for transport of collections objects, and keeping detailed vehicle records.
Maintains well-organized and clean receiving room and storage facilities.
Ensures appropriate materials and tools for transporting collections objects are available and ready for use in the receiving room and maintain records of them.
Inventories the receiving room tools and specialized art moving equipment and supplies annually.
Works with contract art shipping companies and private and institutional lenders as necessary to ship and receive CWF collections and loans.
Maintains open, two-way communication between the Collections department and other departments whose activities may impact the collections.
Represents CWF with a high degree of professionalism and discretion when dealing with colleagues, lenders, donors, volunteers, etc.; maintains professional demeanor.
Maintains and continually increases level of professional expertise through attendance at professional workshops and conferences and contact with others in the field.
Follows established security and safety procedures.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Final candidates are to present in person to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Employment Office a valid driver’s license and an original Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). The MVR is to be no older than 30 days, issued by the same state as the driver’s license, and must cover the past seven years. Within 60 days new residents must obtain a Virginia driver’s license
Good knowledge of best practices and professional standards for collections care, packing and handling
Proficiency in the use of a computer, including basic word processing and collections management software
Demonstrated art handling skills including good manual dexterity
Ability to use hand tools and power equipment necessary for collections handling preparation in a museum setting and the demonstrated interest in art and historic artifacts and sensitivity to the significance and special needs of museum collections.
Demonstrated ability to: (1) communicate effectively and follow instructions orally and in writing, (2) act as a mentor or leader, (3) work cooperatively and productively as a member of a team, (4) work independently and problem-solve as needs arise, and (5) make best use of time and limited resources, using facilities, materials, equipment, buildings and objects efficiently, effectively and with reasonable and appropriate care
Knowledge of materials appropriate for use with Collections
Demonstrated patience and attention to detail;
Above skills generally gained through completion of a four-year degree in related field, plus 2 years of collections experience in storage, packing and installation, and inventory, or a high school diploma or G.E.D. with 7 years of practical training and experience;
Ability to: (1) work outdoors in varying weather conditions and come in daily contact with pollen, dust and mold, (2) lift and carry 50 pounds, and (3) move collections up and down stairs, and perform duties while bending, stooping or kneeling, and be physically fit.
Ability to perform various functions such as standing, walking, lifting, climbing, seeing and working in varying light conditions and close quarters, and participate in strenuous activities.
Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and an acceptable driving record as measured against Colonial Williamsburg’s criteria.
Highly Desirable: Kowledge of 18th- and early 19th-century fine art and decorative arts and American folk art. Skills in metalworking, woodworking, or other media and extensive experience using hoists, lifts and other material handling equipment. Collections management or museum registration experience. Familiarity with collections management database, TMS.
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