Job Listing: Assistant Conservation Preparator (mountmaker) [End Dated] at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is renovating its Michael C. Rockefeller Wing (MCRW), which houses preeminent collections from three distinct areas: sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and the ancient Americas. These collections consist of archaeological and historic works of art in a range of organic and inorganic media including wood sculptures with complex surface designs, composite fiber objects, fragile archaeological metals, and numerous objects with historic repairs. Approximately 1,900 objects will be exhibited in the renovated galleries.
The Museum is also renovating over 15,000 square feet of galleries for Ancient Near East and Cypriot art collections, which fall under the purview of the Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) and Greek and Roman (G&R) curatorial departments. Several hundred archaeological objects have been selected for display in these new galleries.
The Assistant/Associate Conservation Preparator is responsible for the design and manufacture of mounts and for the installation of objects exhibited in these renovated galleries. The Assistant/Associate Conservation Preparator will work exclusively on MCRW objects until that capital project is complete. At that point, they will transition to ANEC objects.
This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 2 years
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Safely and properly handle objects
Design and fabricate supporting mounts for objects
Install objects in renovated galleries both inside cases and on gallery walls or pedestals
Liaise with designers, conservators, conservation preparators, curators, technicians, Buildings staff, and outside companies as necessary
Participate in departmental fundraising activities
Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
Thorough knowledge of a broad range of artists' materials used to create three-dimensional works of art and their properties, the principles behind the safe and proper handling and installation of works of art
FDNY G-60 Certificate of Fitness for Torch Use of Flammable Gases
Skill and experience in a variety of metalworking and fabrication techniques including cold working and hard soldering of brass with an air-acetylene torch
Skill and experience with lathe and other machine-shop tool operations
Studio art skills in a variety of materials
Two years’ experience as a mount maker/preparator preferred
Excellent communication skills
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a team environment and anticipate the needs of others
Energy, motivation, and willingness to learn new techniques
Ability to work efficiently in high pressure situations, and adaptability to changing circumstances
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work on a ladder or rig
COMPENSATION RANGE:
Pay Range : $68,000 - $72,000 / Annually
The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.
Benefits Offerings
The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.
Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
Free financial-planning services
Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
25% discount for staff in Museum shops
A subsidized staff cafeteria
Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.