Collections Manager for Preventive Conservation

Description:
Under the general direction of the lab head, the Collections Manager for Preventive Conservation will perform conservation duties including environmental monitoring, materials testing, and pest management.

Essential functions related to environmental monitoring:
• Develop and periodically update museum-wide temperature and relative humidity monitoring guidelines.
• Develop and implement digital data acquisition protocols and systems for monitoring temperature and relative humidity within museum exhibition and storage areas. Export acquired climate data to the Image Permanence Institute’s Climate Notebook website for cross-platform statistical analysis. Deploy and maintain supplementary analog and digital monitoring devices for use in microclimated display cases, shipping crates, and storage areas.
• Maintain desiccated and buffered microclimates inside sealed display cases in order to maintain stable humidity and reduce chemical deterioration of some materials.
• Work with HVAC technicians to verify that air filters are replaced on a regular schedule to improve air quality in the museum.
• Carry out visible light and ultraviolet radiation monitoring in association with exhibition design and installation; maintain records of light levels in exhibition spaces at different times of day and different seasons in spaces where natural lighting is present.
• Advise and work with conservation staff on other environmental monitoring projects, such as shock and vibration of works of art in transit via digital data acquisition devices.

Essential functions related to materials testing:
• Develop museum-wide testing guidelines for materials used in exhibition and storage areas, based on international conservation community best practices.
• Test submitted materials for possible adverse interaction with museum objects via established testing methods, including but not necessarily limited to: accelerated corrosion (Oddy) tests, A-D test strips, and iodide-iodate tests for the presence of volatile acids.
• Develop and maintain Microsoft Excel-based record keeping system for tracking materials testing requests and archiving materials testing data.
• Properly prepare and maintain chemical solutions and metallic test coupons for all materials testing.
• Maintain physical archive of tested materials.

Essential functions related to integrated pest management:
• Provide technical expertise and work collaboratively with Chair of department, Director of Facilities, and pest control contractor to maintain a collections-sensitive, museum-wide integrated pest management plan.
• Provide on-demand spot monitoring and technical assistance regarding non-chemical methods of pest control museum-wide.
• Provide on-demand identification of common museum pests, including but not limited to the following orders and families of insects: Tineae, Lyctidae, Anobiidae, Dermestidae, Psycchodidae, Pscoscoptera, and Thysanura.
• Manage quarantine area use and guidelines regarding incoming artwork assessment and safe handling.
• Perform inert atmosphere fumigations (anoxia) to disinfect accessioned museum objects.

Secondary functions:
• Work with exhibition designers, curatorial and conservation departments to uphold safe and appropriate display of collection and loaned objects.
• Estimate storage needs for museum collections. Specify appropriate cabinetry, storage fixtures, and storage materials for the proper storage of objects. Obtain cost estimates and price quotations of materials, cabinetry, and fixtures from vendors.
• Participate in planning initiatives as a member of the Operations and Logistics Sub Team.
• Participate on emergency response and disaster preparedness teams and contribute to training documents, evacuation route maps, emergency supplies, and response team guidelines.

Qualifications:
Five years of experience in arts or collections management, and bachelor’s degree in visual art, museum studies, art conservation, or related art and humanities field. An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered.

Preferred:
• Two years of experience in arts budgeting and conservation
• Proficiency in database and related collections management software
• Experience in exhibition methods and practices
• Knowledge of artwork construction and fabrication methods

How To Apply:
Application materials are being accepted immediately. For consideration, please submit your letter of interest, résumé, and three professional references to: resumes@mfa.org. Materials may also be submitted via postal mail to: Human Resources Department, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. Confirmation of receipt of complete applications will be sent via e-mail. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workforce.

Apply by:
July 31, 2015