Museum Preparator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description: Job Summary
Responsible for assisting museum staff with fine art handling, storage, packing, transportation, installations, and all related preparation for the collection and exhibition objects.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)
• Careful attention to safety, detail, and accuracy
• Packing/unpacking, handling, and hanging or installing artwork either owned or borrowed for Artis—Naples.
• Safe movement and handling of all collections objects and exhibition furniture keeping with best practices / industry standard.
• Assists with organization of storage locations, preparation of housing for collections objects in storage and for transportation purposes to and from the museum and between offsite locations.
• Loading and unloading art trucks efficiently ensuring safe movement of all artworks, crates, and exhibition furniture.
• Movement, care and placement of pedestals and plexiglass vitrines used in installations.
• Maintains inventory, movement, and storage of all exhibition furniture.
• Gallery maintenance and installation of labels, text panels and various exhibition signage.
• Fabricates exhibition furniture: pedestals, plinths, temporary walls, mounts, crates, etc. as required in keeping with museum standard best practices/contractual requirements.
• Observes and reports, when necessary, on the condition of elements within the museum and storage facilities including temperature, humidity, and the security of the works of art.
• Assists with location tracking and documentation of art movement, updating museum collection database as needed
• Maintains gallery lighting, maintaining lighting storage.
• Makes certain digital media / video equipment is on/off in museum exhibitions and storage as needed.
• Assists Preparator with budget and submitting purchases orders
• Driving a box truck for transportation of collections objects, crates, and exhibition furniture.
• Observe safety requirements. Report safety issues and items requiring work orders to Supervisor or Security.
• Work effectively with all Artis—Naples employees
QUALIFICATIONS:
Competencies, Core Values, Education and Experience
Competencies
To perform this job successfully, an individual should possess and demonstrate the following competencies:
Diversity – Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.
Ethics – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works ethically and with integrity; upholds organizational values.
Financial – Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and confidently, listens and gets clarification; participates constructively and thoughtfully in meetings.
Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Teamwork – Fosters a cooperative work environment by actively participating with colleagues, set priorities and solves problems.
Technical Skills – Knowledge of computerized information systems used in office systems.
Quality Management – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs; presents information effectively.
Organizational Core Values
Collaborative – working internally and externally to accomplish something together that we may not be able to accomplish separately in order to realize shared goals.
Transparency – behaving and communicating in a manner that exudes openness and sheer honesty.
Excellence – a standard of performance that surpasses ordinary standards.
Accountability – the acceptance and assumption of responsibility for actions, decisions and results.
Patron-first – placing the patron at the center of our efforts.
Integrity – a commitment to the highest standards, values and principles through every action and decision.
Education/Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 2 years’ experience in a museum setting preferred
Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge of art handling and long-term preservation and care of the collections
• Art installation procedures, techniques and methods and materials
• Effectively communicate with others in producing desired exhibitions
• Crate fabrication and object packing
• Proficient carpentry skills
• Matting and framing
• Current Forklift certification
• Basic metal working
• Knowledge of art/museum security systems and procedures
• Working knowledge of hand and power tools
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite required, knowledge of TMS (The Museum System database by Gallery Systems) and AutoCAD preferred
Physical Demands and Work Environment: Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work requires physical activity; handling of objects that can weigh up to 50 pounds (or greater mass that require mechanical assistance).
• Standing or walking may occur up to 75% of time.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Work may be performed in an office, museum, storage facility or field environment.
Work Environment
The work environment is consistent with general office conditions, with moderate noise followed by long spans of installation in the museum, with exposure to vibrations, noise, electrical connections and outdoor weather conditions. Long periods of standing, exposure to chemicals associated with the conservation and production of works of art.