Carnegie Museum of Art creates experiences that connect people to art, ideas, and one another. We believe creativity is a defining human characteristic to which everyone should have access. CMOA collects, preserves, and presents artworks from around the world to inspire, sustain, and provoke discussion, and to engage and reflect multiple audiences.
Carnegie Museum of Art is arguably the first museum of contemporary art in the United States, collecting the "Old Masters of tomorrow" since the inception of the Carnegie International in 1896. Today, the museum is one of the most dynamic major art institutions in America. Our collection of more than 30,000 objects features a broad spectrum of visual arts, including painting and sculpture; prints and drawings; photographs; architectural casts, renderings, and models; decorative arts and design; and film, video, and digital imagery. Through our programming, exhibitions, and publications, we frequently explore the role of art and artists in confronting key social issues of our time, combining and juxtaposing local and global perspectives. With our unique history and resources, we strive to become a leader in defining the role of art museums for the 21st century.
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
The MANAGER, CONSERVATION LABORATORY directs the planning and day-to-day management of the Museum’s Conservation Laboratory. Working with senior leadership, in consultation with curators and colleagues, registrars and preparators, she/he develops the vision for, and implementation of, professional practices and processes relating to the preservation and care, of the museum’s collection and works on loan. Manager of the Conservation Laboratory guides, supervises, and mentors staff, aligning the activities of the department under her/his supervision with the museum’s strategic objectives.
This is a Full-Time position.
NOTE: Please submit a resume or CV on our corporate web site – www.carnegiemuseums.org/opportunities (Select Job Search > Apply to Manager, Conservation Laboratory, Req # 140) along with a cover letter detailing your interest in the position. The applicant tracking system DOES NOT allow for more than one document to be uploaded, so the cover letter AND CV/resume must be saved as a single file before uploading.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Certificate in conservation required
- Master’s degree preferable;
- 5-10 years museum experience encompassing a broad range of conservation skills;
- Experience in budget and grants management desirable
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of modern principles, methods, and techniques of conservation encompassing a broad range of media and periods;
- Demonstrated administrative and management skills;
- Proven ability to recruit, train, and motivate staff;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in both oral and written form;
- Must be capable of working independently, communicating effectively, managing resources, and planning and meeting goals.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to handle works of art, up to 25 lbs;
- Ability to stand for long periods of time;
- Work includes bending and lifting, and occasional ladder work may be required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Strategic
- Work with senior leadership to establish museum-wide policies, guidelines, and priorities for the optimum preservation of the museum’s collection;
- Develop workflows and timelines to manage the short and long-term operations of the conservation laboratory;
- In consultation with other staff, develop workable agreements regarding security, pest control, environmental conditions, storage, packing, handling, exhibition practices, disaster preparedness and response to ensure the collections are preserved according to current museum standards and conservation science;
- Advocate for preventive conservation policies and practices;
- Maintain community/professional relationships;
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices
Supervisory
- Determine the activities of the Conservation Laboratory, set goals, foster staff development and review performance;
- Supervise and evaluate performance of Paintings Conservator and as applicable, contracted conservators, technicians, interns, fellows, and volunteers;
- Select, hire, train, supervise and develop staff
Resource Management
- Oversee financial operations of the Conservation department: plan, implement and manage applicable budgets to ensure effective financial controls and meet budget goals. Work with department staff to establish budgets for exhibitions and other collection projects, as necessary;
- Identify funding opportunities, and work with senior leadership and Advancement and Community Engagement teams on proposals and reporting;
- Maintain orderly condition in the laboratory area, recommend and implement equipment and supplies purchases for conservation treatments and preventive conservation projects
Special Projects
- Oversee and direct all conservation work on the museum’s collection or on works of art on loan to the museum, including surveys, documentation, examination and treatment of both displayed and stored collections, works requested for loan and /or acquisition;
- Plan conservation needs of special exhibitions originated by the museum or borrowed from other institutions; advise on conservation issues in contracts for special exhibitions; ensure that preventive conservation aspects of exhibition contracts are being maintained;
- Oversee research, ensure proper analytical, research tools, and equipment are being utilized (as funding allows)
The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
- FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer– Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities /Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.
*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources.
A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential.
B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function.
C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential.
D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis.
E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential.
F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.
G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.