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What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant conservator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Conservator, you typically need a degree in conservation, art history, chemistry, or a related field, along with practical experience in object handling and treatment methods. Familiarity with conservation tools, laboratory equipment, and documentation systems such as digital imaging software is often required. Strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for preserving cultural heritage, ensuring proper care of artifacts, and collaborating efficiently with museum professionals.

What is an assistant conservator?

Assistant Conservators are professionals who help preserve and restore artworks, historical objects, and cultural artifacts. They typically work under the supervision of senior conservators in museums, galleries, or archives, performing tasks such as cleaning, repairing, and documenting items. Their work ensures that valuable pieces of history and art are maintained for future generations. Assistant Conservators may also assist in research, preventive conservation, and preparing objects for exhibition or storage.

What are the common challenges faced by an assistant conservator when working with diverse types of artifacts?

Assistant Conservators often encounter the challenge of handling a wide range of materials, each requiring specialized knowledge and delicate techniques. Balancing preventive conservation with hands-on treatment, while adhering to strict ethical and documentation standards, can be demanding. Additionally, collaborating with curators, scientists, and other conservators to develop appropriate conservation strategies for each unique object is a key part of the role. Staying updated on new materials and methods also requires ongoing professional development.
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Conservator jobs in Virginia? For Assistant Conservator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant Conservator jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant Conservator job openings:
Assistant Conservator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Conservator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Assistant Conservator of Paper

Colonial Williamsburg Company

Williamsburg, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 7 days ago

Colonial Williamsburg rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 29 rated museums

Job description

Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.
Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.
Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.
About the Position
The Assistant Conservator of Paper is responsible for enhancing the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural assets by, in consultation with the specialist curators and Associate Conservator, Paper, examining paper objects from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s collection, designing, and proposing treatment protocols, and carrying out conservation treatments. The Assistant Conservator carries out condition assessments and treatments in accordance with research and exhibition objectives.
***Must reside in or be ready to relocate to Virginia***
Essential Functions:
  1. Performs treatments on the Foundation’s various paper collection objects using recognized conservation techniques in compliance with the Code of Ethics of the American Institute for Conservation and in consultation with curatorial staff. Examines objects, prepares written treatment proposals, performs treatments, and prepares treatment reports complete with photo-documentation. Confers with supervisor, conservation staff, and curators on complex projects. Collaborates with other conservators to treat or advise on care of paper objects as needed.
  2. Conducts conservation assessments of the Foundation’s various paper collections.
  3. Establishes and documents preservation state and condition of paper objects as requested; including those being considered for accession, deaccession, exhibition and loan.
  4. Assists in management of day-to-day operation of paper lab including ordering supplies and materials, handling paperwork, inputting treatment information in the collections database, and maintaining lab space and equipment.
  5. Assists in the supervision and training of technicians, interns, and volunteers in the paper lab.
  6. Maintains awareness of state-of-the-art techniques in the conservation field.
  7. Carries out research and related analysis to support treatment projects, test new materials, applications, or methodologies as other responsibilities allow.
  8. Fabricates storage systems, exhibition supports, and packs/moves objects as needed.
  9. Prepares and delivers public and professional lectures and demonstrations on conservation theory and techniques. Publishes new research in book or article form as other responsibilities allow. Contributes to and/or leads public tours. Contributes to social media efforts.
  10. Performs other related duties as required.
Required and Preferred Education and Experience:
Required:
  1. Graduate degree in conservation plus two years conservation experience in recognized institutions — or the equivalent technical education and experience.
  2. Demonstrable history of proposed, completed, and documented treatments.
Preferred:
  1. Supervisory and administrative experience.
  2. Familiarity with workplace safety practices.
  3. Membership in a professional conservation organization.
Qualifications:
  1. Detailed knowledge of traditional decorative, fine, and folk art as well as library special collection and corporate archive materials and techniques with a focus on paper artifacts.
  2. Highly developed hand skills.
  3. Detailed knowledge of conservation materials and experience in applying state-of-the-art conservation methodologies.
  4. Knowledge of the environment and environmental/materials interactions.
  5. Scientific knowledge sufficient for undertaking in-depth examination and analysis of objects, performing treatments and following necessary literature and reports.
  6. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Ability to follow instructions orally and in writing.
  7. Shares workspace respectfully with others, can work independently and with a team. Able to plan and schedule time.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.
Compensation Disclaimer: The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.
Range: $19.47 to $29.28
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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