Title: Lead Conservation Housing and Framing Technician
State Role Title: Hist/Arch & Preserv I
Hiring Range: $55,000
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Location: MAIN MUSEUM
Agency Website: https://www.vmfa.museum/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
About Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA’s growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.
Our holdings include the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art.
Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission.
VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.
About the Department:
The Goode Center is a vibrant research, treatment, and training center dedicated to advancing the field of conservation, art history, and science through joint study with conservators, curators, scholars, and scientists. Opened in 2010, the Goode Center is one of the largest conservation facilities in the southeast and is outfitted with advanced analytical and examination capabilities including hyperspectral, infrared, and multiband imaging, scanning and portable x-ray fluorescence, FT-IR, microfade testing, polarized light microscopy, and computed x-radiography.
Position Description:
Utilizing the highest standards of conservation ethics and a focus on long-term preservation, the primary objective of this position is the housing and framing of works on paper within the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for safe display, transit, and storage. Working collaboratively within the Paper Conservation Department and across the museum, this position will provide critical support for the work of the paper conservation lab through handling, unframing, mounting, framing, creating microclimate packages, and bespoke storage enclosures for works on paper. The Lead Conservation Housing and Framing Technician will employ the highest conservation standards and ethics in order to preserve the integrity as well as the aesthetic and historic significance of each work while meeting the programmatic needs of the museum. They will work in collaboration with other conservation specialists, as needed, and advise on handling, mounting, installation and deinstallation. The Lead Conservation Housing and Framing Technician will also have public engagement and educational responsibilities such as participating in laboratory tours, speaking to visiting groups, responding to public inquiries, presenting housing and framing projects to museum visitors, and mentoring interns and junior staff. National and international travel may be required for various activities of this position including research, conferences, workshops, teaching opportunities, and/or support for exhibitions, loans, and new acquisitions.
Job Duties:
Utilizing the highest standards of conservation ethics and a focus on long-term preservation, the primary objective of this position is the housing and framing of works on paper within the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for safe display, transit, and storage. Working collaboratively within the Paper Conservation Department and across the museum, this position will provide critical support for the work of the paper conservation lab through handling, unframing, mounting, framing, creating microclimate packages, and bespoke storage enclosures for works on paper. The Lead Conservation Housing and Framing Technician will employ the highest conservation standards and ethics in order to preserve the integrity as well as the aesthetic and historic significance of each work while meeting the programmatic needs of the museum. They will work in collaboration with other conservation specialists, as needed, and advise on handling, mounting, installation and deinstallation. The Lead Conservation Housing and Framing Technician will also have public engagement and educational responsibilities such as participating in laboratory tours, speaking to visiting groups, responding to public inquiries, presenting housing and framing projects to museum visitors, and mentoring interns and junior staff. National and international travel may be required for various activities of this position including research, conferences, workshops, teaching opportunities, and/or support for exhibitions, loans, and new acquisitions.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Experience handling paper-based artifacts in a museum, gallery, or institutional setting and the ability to handle and manipulate fragile works of art with extreme care.
• Knowledge of conservation ethics, practices, procedures, and principles employed in the conservation profession. Ability to use sound judgment during the handling, installation, and treatment of works of art.
• Understanding of the environmental factors that cause the deterioration of cultural property.
• Experience hinging, matting and framing works on paper and photographs. Preferable to have had previous experience making sealed packages/microclimates for works on paper.
• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and in concert with others, and to be professional, diplomatic, and discreet. Demonstrated problem solving, organizational and time-management abilities.
• Must be able to handle responsibility, be self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to convey information in a clear, succinct, and accurate manner.
• Working knowledge of common computer software programs such as: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and The Museum System (TMS).
Additional Considerations:
Minimum of 5 years experience hinging, matting, framing and creating microclimate sealed packages for works on paper preferred. The preferred candidate will have knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies typically obtained through the completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent training in fine arts, studio arts, art history, and/or conservation.
Benefits:
The Commonwealth of Virginia offers a comprehensive total compensation package that includes health benefits, paid leave, and flexible work schedules. The following benefits are available to classified employees:
• Vacation and Other Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health Benefits
• Sickness and Disability Program
• Deferred Compensation with Cash Match
• Group, Optional Life, and Long-term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Retirement Plans
• State Employee Resources
• Agency-specific benefits such as complementary exhibition tickets and discounts on VMFA memberships, dining, shopping, classes & programs, and more.
Additional information relating to the benefits available to eligible Commonwealth of Virginia employees can be found online at: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits
Special Instructions:
Please submit a CV and cover letter in addition to three (3) professional references, including their full name, phone number and email address. References should be able to speak to your qualifications for the position and may be included in your resume or cover letter or attached separately in the portal's "other" field.
You will be provided with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Contact Information:
For the most up to date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.gov account.
Name: Human Resource Services
Phone: We do not provide application status updates via phone.
Email: recruitment@vmfa.museum for recruitment related questions.
All applicants must submit an online application. This position will close at 11:55 pm EST on the designated closing date listed at the top of this posting on Jobs.Virginia.gov. Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Equal Opportunity Employer
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.