The Conservation Department at the Museum of Art, Houston, seeks applicants for a Conservation Technician for Outdoor Sculpture and General Support. The Conservation Technician- Outdoor Sculpture and General Support will participate proactively in preserving the museum's collection. Principle responsibilities include cleaning, maintenance, minor treatments of outdoor sculptures, and daily gallery maintenance.

This position was created in 2022, concurrently with three other new conservation positions in Time-base Media, Paper and Textiles.

The Conservation Technician for Outdoor Sculpture and General Support will join a dynamic team of 15 full-time staff members, including conservators, conservation scientists, technicians and framers, and departmental coordinator and assistant. The department also hosts pre-program conservation interns, third-year interns, fellows, and volunteers at any given time.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes almost 72,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The recently concluded Museum expansion transformed the museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and art education.

Responsibilities

As a member of the conservation department, the technician is expected to participate proactively in preserving the museum's collection. Principle responsibilities include cleaning, maintenance, minor treatments of outdoor sculptures, gallery maintenance, preparing objects for exhibition, loans, and long and short-term storage. Collect environmental data and compile information for assessment by Conservator(s). Participate in on-campus gallery maintenance, Bayou Bend and Rienzi, with tasks such as dusting artwork in galleries, emergency preparedness, and disaster recovery as needed. Participate in workspace maintenance, including cleaning and organizing studio space, maintaining material inventories and tools, obtaining supplies, and cleaning labware.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in fine arts from four-year college or university; one to three related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two (2) or more years of art-related work.
• Basic knowledge of museum practices and collections management
• Familiarity with the types and materials represented in the museum's outdoor sculpture collection.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as successfully with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies, to achieve institutional objectives and fulfill the mission of the museum.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work with databases, word processing, and other computing tools that the staff is expected to use regularly

• Understanding of and adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Essential duties may include the following:

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for handling artwork and operation of tools and equipment.
• Standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and peripheral vision.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of radiation. (PPE will be supplied.)

A more comprehensive job description is available upon request.

The MFAH is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process or perform essential job functions, please contact Larry Stokes, Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer @ lstokes@mfah.org, or any member of the Human Resources Department.

Benefits:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

Insurance coverage is effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role. Several programs are available, including:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Employees may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible employees contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service.

Other Benefits

• MFAH Membership - Employees receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts - Employees receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and café and the Glassell School of Art

Compensation:

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description.