Project Assistant Conservator - Paintings

Title: Project Assistant Conservator - Paintings

State Role Title: VMFA TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

Hiring Range: $48,000 - $52,000 annually

Pay Band:

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: MAIN MUSEUM

Agency Website: vmfa.museum

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is pleased to announce a new Project Assistant Conservator position, in Paintings Conservation within the Susan and David Goode Center for Advanced Study in Art Conservation. This is a two-year temporary positions with possible renewal or extension depending upon funding availability.

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 and infrared imaging, scanning and portable x-ray fluorescence, FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy, microfade testing, and computed x-radiography.

Position Description: Working collaboratively with other departments in conservation and across the museum, the Project Assistant Conservators will conduct activities for the examination, documentation, treatment, display, technical analysis, and conservation research of the permanent collection (paintings or objects) for the museum’s upcoming expansion and traveling exhibitions. The Project Assistant Conservators 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 maintenance and preventive care of the collection including environmental control, storage, handling, and requirements for exhibition. The Project Assistant Conservators will also have public engagement and educational responsibilities such as leading laboratory tours, speaking to visiting groups, responding to public inquiries, presenting conservation projects and activities to museum visitors, and supervising interns.

This salaried, exempt position offers Commonwealth of Virginia employee benefits such as 12 paid holidays, health benefits and more. The annual salary range for this position is $48,000 – $52,000, commensurate with experience. All new and re-hired employees must successfully complete a one-year probationary period. This position also offers various VMFA employee benefits such as free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, as well as discounts in Amuse Restaurant, the Best Café and the VMFA shop.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of 1 year of postgraduate experience in addition to a graduate level degree in art conservation specializing in objects or paintings from a recognized conservation training program, or the equivalent combination of experience, training, and education.
The successful candidate will also have:
● Knowledge of currently acceptable conservation methods for treatment of a wide variety of works of art within their specialty.
● Knowledge of art history and historic methods of fabrication for a wide range of works of art.
● Demonstrated ability to perform historic and materials research.
● Demonstrated ability to perform condition assessments, develop conservation treatment proposals, and execute treatments to a high degree of competency and efficiency.
● Demonstrated ability to convey information in a clear, succinct, and accurate manner.
● Demonstrated ability to perform analytical and examination techniques frequently used in conservation and experience in interpreting test results.
● Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and in concert with others, and to be professional, diplomatic, and discreet.
● Experience with common computer software programs.
● Knowledge of safe methods for handling chemicals and hazardous materials based on OSHA standards.
● Ability to wear a respirator.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in supervising interns.
• Familiarity with using The Museum System (TMS

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Special Instructions for Applicants:
The selected candidate must pass a criminal history background check. The successful candidate must have established paperwork that enables them to work in the USA.

Please submit three (3) references. Provide full name, phone number and email address. References may be attached in a separate document in the "other" field in the portal; or they may be included with the resume or cover letter.

Professional references are preferred. Other reference types will also receive consideration. References should be able to attest to your knowledge, skills, and abilities, especially qualifications relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Online applications will be accepted until 11:55 PM on the designated closing date. Please contact the HR office at recruitment@vmfa.museum if you need assistance. 

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources Services

Phone: please email

Email: reruitment@vmfa.museum

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.