Temporary Contractor Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA (NOW HIRING)

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of artifacts, objects, and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
This Temporary Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.
The Project Technician - Temporary supports activities related to a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funded project focused on the Dahshur boats of the Egyptian king Senworet III. The technician will learn the project's multiband imaging protocol and complete photography and image processing for each of the 90 planks of the boat in the care of Carnegie Museum of Natural History. After this work has been completed, they will assist the project team with additional documentation and treatment of the boat and be part of the team that works to reinstall the boat in its new mount and display case. The majority of the technician's work will take place in the Visible Lab on the museum's third floor.
This is a full-time, temporary, benefits-eligible position that will not continue once this project is completed.
This position is expected begin in October 2026 and end on or about April 5th, 2027.
DURATION
6 months (NEH-funded)
Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent coursework (natural science, anthropology, chemistry, physics preferred).
• A minimum of 1 year in a conservation lab/department or related discipline required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Familiarity with multiband photography, Agisoft Metashape, Adobe photography products, DSLR cameras, and object or product photography preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to follow procedures.
• Ability to work independently to fulfill both daily shift responsibilities and specific work/duty assignments.
• Team mindset; can work well with other project team members and department personnel.
• Fine motor skills, experience handling objects, and a basic understanding of objects conservation and preventive conservation preferred.
• Experience with photography equipment and demonstratable knowledge of working with computers required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position will require bending and lifting, moving around the museum, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, turning, repetitive motion, climbing, ability to wear a mask for long periods of time and, at minimum, lifting weight of 25 pounds, with potential to lift more.
• Visual and spatial awareness.
• Ability to work in an enclosed environment with low light levels.
• Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND Accountabilities

• Meet daily with project lead and other team members. Assist project team to complete necessary photographic and other documentation of the Dahshur boat including systematic and accurate filing and saving of documentation.
• Work professionally and cooperatively with all visible lab personnel and other employees, contractors, and couriers. Follow all object handling protocols and procedures as instructed by project lead and visible lab manager. Document all object work according to industry standards.
• Safely handle, move, and position the wooden planks comprising the Dahshur boat of Senwosret III. Promptly inform appropriate personnel regarding objects with condition concerns or of damaged objects and follow collections management documentation procedures.
• May occasionally need to wrap or pad objects with paper, plastic, foam, or other materials as directed to protect against vibration, moisture, or impact.

• Responsible for maintaining safe, clean, and orderly work areas daily.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.
*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential. G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.