AIC Member Community

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The Assistant Conservator assists the Costume Institute's Conservation department with the care, display, and conservation of the department's collection consisting of textiles, costumes, and multimedia objects. The department maintains an active exhibition, loan, acquisition, and collection assessment schedule. As the conservation loan coordinator, the Assistant Conservator's duties are broken into two main areas: facilitating the department’s active internal and outgoing loans program and providing conservation support for all other departmental responsibilities. Duties include examining and documenting artifacts with condition and treatment reports; conducting treatments; performing materials and scientific analyses; object mounting; loan preparation and couriering; and creating and maintaining digital assets. Other responsibilities include carrying out preventive conservation tasks, performing consultations, and lab maintenance duties as requested.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Undertake the preparation and treatment of costume & textile objects in support of the department's loan and interdepartmental exhibition schedule
• Carry out condition reports, treatments, mounting, and installation in support of the department's  exhibitions and special projects
• Participate in daily activities including exhibition maintenance, lab maintenance and safety, ordering supplies, and using/maintaining equipment
• Assist in special projects as required
• As time allows, contribute to the department's research and publication program as set forth by the Curator-in-Charge and head Conservator
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in the treatment and preservation of historic costumes, textiles, and accessories
• A high level of manual skill and ability to complete treatments in an efficient manner in order to fulfill a heavy exhibition and loan schedule
• Demonstrated effective prioritization and project management experience
• Proven ability to document treatments
• Proven ability to perform scientific & material analyses of objects
• Proven ability to create, modify and dress mannequins according to conservation protocols
• Knowledge of sewing techniques and garment construction
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must be a proactive and communicative team player with proven follow-through

 Knowledge and Education:

• Graduate degree from a recognized conservation training program
• Strong knowledge of conservation principles, ethics, materials, and techniques for costume conservation with demonstrated high standards of conservation treatment experience
• Knowledge of fashion history

• Minimum of 2 years as a practicing conservator; Museum experience favored

 Please submit cover letter and resume to BOTH careers@metmuseum.org and sarah.scaturro@metmuseum.org

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.