Museum Interpretation Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Preparator

Department: Collection Support

Reports To: Chief Preparator

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hourly:  $22.50 - $24 / hour

The Preparator role is responsible for the preparation, installation and maintenance of galleries and exhibition spaces throughout the Newfields campus.  This role works independently and in support of other preparators on the Collection Support team.

The following responsibilities describe the general nature of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory.

• Participate in art installation and de-installation by proper handling, lifting, moving, placing, crating, uncrating, and hanging works of art as required by the IMA art handling guidelines.
• Prepare galleries for exhibition installations including locating, moving, and storing gallery furnishings and implementing designs for permanent and temporary exhibitions.
• Deliver, install, de-install, and collect works of art and installation materials by vehicle, both locally and interstate.
• Collaborate with Design and Interpretation, Curatorial, Conservation, Exhibitions and Registration staff to gather information, e.g., for art relocations, art conservation, design implementation, approvals.
• Handle various preparator duties for supporting the collection, including maintenance of workshops and storage spaces, label making, vinyl application, and collecting supplies and materials for projects.
• Maintain and refurbish galleries, including patching and painting walls, replacing labels and didactics, and identifying maintenance needs.
• Participate in on-call schedule for troubleshooting of electronic art and multimedia installations in the galleries.
• Support Lighting Specialist, when necessary, with lighting of permanent and temporary galleries, rotations, and aesthetic locations.
• Work within the installation crew with appreciation of the team and its mission.

Other duties may be assigned.  To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Experience in woodworking, metalworking, construction, and the ability to use hand and power tools and hardware along with good manual dexterity
• Knowledge of art and art handling, including installation methods
• Knowledge of audio-visual component installation and operation
• Experience with wall painting and wall repair
• Knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Office (Word/Outlook/Excel), MS TEAMS, and other applicable software
• Ability to read, write and comprehend instructions, correspondence, blueprints, designs, and memos.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations to other employees.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts for design layouts of exhibitions and proportions. Algebra helpful.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Must have a valid drivers license
• Must pass Government conducted Security Threat Assessment and annual certification tests and execute related directives and regulations

Professional level of knowledge needed in specialized field, equivalent to that which would be acquired by completing a four-year college program and one to two years job related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel; reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.