I just ran across this on the Association of Midwest Museums website:

HEAD PREPARATOR
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

DEPARTMENT: Preparator
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt, Full-time
REPORTS TO: Chief Curator, Director of Exhibitions and Collections
SUPERVISES: Prep staff, outside contractors and interns

POSITION SUMMARY
Working in conjunction with the Curatorial Department and Registrar Department, the Head Preparator is a key team member for the Museum's ambitious schedule of special exhibitions and rotating its permanent collection. Performs a wide variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the preparation, design, installation and care of museum exhibits and works of art at the museum level. The Head Preparator is responsible for museum-quality art handling related to installation and de-installation. The Head Preparator will supervise departmental staff, independent contractors and interns. She/he will assure a safe and healthy work environment through knowledge of best practices.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Exhibition Design, Installation, Maintenance, De-installation
  • Plan and manage the installation/de-installation of exhibitions, rotations, and individual works of art, coordinating schedules and details with the exhibition team
  • Supervise the installation and de-installation of exhibition graphics, signage, and labels; wall construction and painting; lighting; display fixtures and mounts
  • Supervise outside contractors and designers in the progress and implementation of specific projects, including oversight of quality and accuracy of work and monitoring schedules
  • Coordinate and work with staff to execute handling, crating, packing and transportation of artwork to and from the galleries, in town or out of state, using the Museum truck
  • Work directly with artists on site-specific installations
  • Oversee handling of art for annual inventory
  • Plan for and supervise maintenance of outdoor sculpture collection

Fabrication
  • Operate tools and equipment associated with woodworking, electrical, light construction, and audio-visual and computer displays
  • Provide estimates and schedules for construction of displays, cases, or pedestals as required
  • Maintain tools and equipment required for the maintenance of the collection, its storage, and display of individual works of art
  • Ensure adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the operations of the Preparator Department and its workshop

Department Administration/Management
  • Develop and administer the departmental budget, and assists in the development of exhibition special project budgets
  • Prepare cost and material estimates for new installation and gallery construction
  • Oversee personnel issues, including hiring, training, scheduling, directing, disciplining, and providing annual performance reviews of department staff
  • Plan, prioritize, and schedule work of the Preparation department; assesses resource needs and determines adjustments as required
  • Organize department's short-term/long-term projects and set job assignments to meet institutional deadlines and priorities
  • Work across departments on opportunities for institutional advancement in areas of exhibition design, budgeting, and cost-saving strategies; provide well thought-out opinions based on research and knowledge of trends within the Museum community

KEY COMPETENCIES
Project Management: Develops project plans, coordinates projects, communicates changes and progress, completes projects on time and budget, manages project team activities.

Team Work: Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives, supports everyone's efforts to succeed, recognizes accomplishments of other team members.

Delegation: Delegates work assignments, matches the responsibility to the person, gives authority to work independently, sets expectations and monitors delegated activities, provides recognition for results.

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, Gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions, works well in group problem solving situations.

Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, plans for additional resources, sets goals and objectives, organizes or schedules other people and their tasks, develops realistic action plans in conjunction with Curatorial and Registration departments.

Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures, determines appropriate action beyond guidelines, reports potentially unsafe conditions, uses equipment and materials properly.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
  • Undergraduate degree required
  • Five years of progressively responsible experience in exhibition planning and coordination, preparation, construction, design, and installation in a museum or other art venue; at least two years of supervisory and management experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
  • Advanced knowledge of materials, fabrication techniques and construction processes
  • Knowledge of art preparation techniques, principles, and practices
  • Knowledge of art security, storage, shipping and receiving
  • Must possess a valid driver's license in good standing
  • Ability to drive a box truck and deliver works of art as needed
  • Physical Abilities:
    • Walk: The ability to move about on foot.
    • Talk: The ability to express or exchange ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly by means of the spoken word, imparting information or detailed instructions to clients, to the public, or to other workers.
    • Handle: The ability to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hand or hands. (Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand.)
    • Reach with hands and arms: The ability to extend the hands and arms in any direction.
    • Climb: The ability to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, ropes, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands or arms.
    • Kneel: The ability to bend legs at the knees to come to rest on knee or knees.
    • Crouch: The ability to bend the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.
    • Lift Weight and Exert Force: Lifts weight or exerts force by lifting, lowering, pulling, carrying, pushing, slapping, striking, kicking, pulling, or jerking. Must be able to lift 50 lbs comfortably.
    • Vision: The ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less and at 20 feet or more. The ability to identify and distinguish colors. Three-dimensional vision, the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to see objects where and as they actually are. The ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.

BENEFITS INCLUDE
  • Health
  • Dental
  • 401k plan
  • Short/Long Term Disability and Life
  • Section 125 Cafeteria Plan
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and floating holidays
  • Discounts at Café Sebastienne and Museum Shop

APPLICATION PROCESS
There are no application forms. All application materials should be typed and include the following:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume including education and relevant employment history
  • Three professional references

Applications can be emailed to: employment@kemperart.org

Mail hard copies to:
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Attn: Amy Schonhoff, HR Manager
4420 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Application materials should be postmarked no later than February 15, 2012.

Please note: Final candidates for this position must be willing to submit to, and successfully pass, a criminal background check.

No telephone calls please.