Project Paintings Conservator

At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

Founded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.

Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do – from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond.  Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies. 

At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.

• Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.

• Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.

• Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.

• Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.

• Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.

About the Role  

The Project Paintings Conservator works in close collaboration with the Senior Painting Conservator to contribute to the physical care, preservation, and conservation treatment of paintings and frames in the Art Museum collection.  A substantial portion of the role focuses on cleaning and remediation. This position works closely with the Art Museum and Preservation staff in a team-oriented environment where collaboration and shared ideas are the norm.  S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach. 

This is a year-long limited-term position to assist the Art Division with fire remediation.

Essential Duties   

• Examines, analyzes, and performs paintings conservation treatment in accordance with AIC guidelines.  

• Provides full written and photographic documentation of treatments in accordance with AIC guidelines. 

• A substantial portion of this role focuses on cleaning and remediation of paintings and frames.  

• Participates in analysis of fire-related contaminants and residues on the paintings and frames and contributes to the planning of cleaning approaches and methodologies. 

• Assists with other treatments of paintings from the Art Museum collection. 

• Assists with loan assessments, including minor treatments and re-framing planning for paintings prior to loan. Completes out-going and in-coming condition reports for paintings going on loan.  

• Assists in general organization, maintenance, and management of paintings conservation laboratory.  

• Assists and supports OSHA safety compliance. 

• Other duties as assigned 

Candidate Requirements and Experience  

Knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• Master’s degree from a recognized graduate program in conservation. 

• Thorough knowledge of conservation theory and practice, and materials science as it applies to paintings. 

• Excellence in performing complex treatments on paintings as demonstrated through a portfolio. 

• Excellent communication and organization skills. 

• Demonstrated computer and related technology skills. 

• Evidence of professional activity, most typically through membership and participation in AIC. 

Preferred:   

• One-Two years’ professional experience in the conservation of paintings in an institutional setting. 

• Experience in exhibitions and loans.  

Working Conditions   

• Workspaces include an office setting, the interim paintings conservation lab with tables and easels, and satellite conservation spaces set up in closed galleries of the museum.   

• Cleaning remediation of paintings and frames will include in-situ dust/vacuuming of small to large scale paintings before they are deinstalled for next steps of the cleaning process. 

• Some lifting may be involved with the assistance of the art preparators 

Compensation & Benefits 

We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including: 

• Pay Range: $75,000.00- $80,000.00. Commensurate with experience.
• Medical, Dental, Vision  
• 403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match 
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays 
• Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants 
• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions 
• Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds 

The Application Process 

Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment.  

You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application.