Associate Conservator, Wooden Objects

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal : creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.

Respect : Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity : Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration : Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence : Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity : Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.

About the Department

The Department of Objects Conservation is responsible for the conservation and mounting / installation of three-dimensional art at the Museum’s two venues. The scope of the Objects Conservation’s mission-critical responsibilities extends to every curatorial department and all of the Museum’s collections-based activities, including acquisitions, deaccessioning, exhibitions, capital projects, scholarly research, teaching and outreach, etc. The substantial scope of work includes over 7,000 completed object requests annually and the variation in scale ranges from single beads to historic interiors and architectural stone elements embedded in the Museum’s buildings.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITES & DUTIES :

The Department of Objects Conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art upholds the highest professional standards in the conservation of the Museum’s three-dimensional works of art. You will be one of three conservators dedicated to the conservation of European and American wooden furniture, objects, and historic interiors. You will be responsible for painted and gilded wooden furniture, objects, and historic interiors from the fourth through early twentieth centuries.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILIES & DUTIES :

Conserve relevant objects, including examination, research, treatment, and oversight of environmental conditions in storerooms and galleries according to AIC guidelines and Museum protocols.

Examine and document objects for incoming or outgoing loans, acquisitions, and gifts.

Study objects for questions of material identification and technology, including the use of analytical instrumentation such as X-ray radiography and microscopy.

Prepare samples for analysis by the Department of Scientific Research and communicate with scientists regarding goals and results.

Liaise with conservators, conservation preparators, curators, technicians, art handlers, Buildings and Exhibitions staff, and the Registrar’s Office on incoming and outgoing loans, exhibitions, permanent gallery rotations, and storage.

Advise on preventive measures regarding object stability and gallery safety, integrated pest management, and other environmental concerns.

Participate in the selection and supervision of external specialists engaged for projects relating to conservation.

Prepare visual and written documentation of treatments and research, and file according to departmental protocols.

Travel domestically and internationally as needed to examine and courier artworks in connection with new acquisitions and loans.

Supervise departmental end-date or junior conservators, fellows, and students.

Assist with time-sensitive projects as assigned by Conservator in Charge.

Participate in departmental fundraising activities.

Broaden knowledge of the conservation field by taking advantage of the department’s expertise and resources, and the Museum's opportunities for professional development.

Disseminate activities and findings on various platforms, including public and professional lectures, and print and digital publications.

Participate in Museum-wide committees and initiatives as appropriate.

Other related duties

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS :

Master’s degree from an internationally-recognized graduate conservation program required.

At least five years of conservation experience working with painted and gilded wooden furniture, objects, and historic interiors required. Museum experience preferred.

Knowledge of the development of styles and techniques of historic wooden furniture, objects, and historic interiors required.

Experience in the technical examination of painted and gilded historic woodwork required.

Skill using investigative techniques such as microscopy, multi-spectral imaging, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, and X-ray radiography preferred.

Experience with stratigraphic analysis of painted and gilded surfaces, cross-section preparation, and interpretation required.

Proficiency with common conservation documentation tools required.

Excellent hand skills, attention to detail, and ability to produce consistent results required.

Woodworking skills required.

Proven project-management skills and ability to work effectively and collaboratively in partnership with other colleagues.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills required.

FDNY C-14 Laboratory Certificate of Fitness or willingness and ability to attain certification within six months of hire required.

Ability to safely lift heavy objects and work on a ladder or rig required.

COMPENSATION RANGE :

Pay Range : $92,000.00 - $97,000.00 / 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

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes 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 .

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.