Conservation Technician (State Wide Travel)

Washington State Arts Commission

www.arts.wa.gov

ArtsWA’s Art in Public Places team is hiring a Conservation Technician to join a dynamic, growing team that manages the condition of public artworks in Washington State. The Collections Team surveys, reports on the condition, and performs maintenance activities on many kinds of public art. The ideal candidate has experience working in a conservation studio, sculpture fabrication studio, art foundry, or as part of an exhibition preparation or art handling team.

The work you perform occurs at state agencies, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, in and around the public and throughout the State. In this position you will assist the AIPP team in the care of multiple program components that encompasses all 2- and 3-dimensional interior and exterior artwork located statewide. You’ll collaborate with and assist ArtsWA Conservation Leads to perform specialized maintenance on artworks independently and often in situ, exercising independent judgment. In addition, you’ll also coordinate and perform complex work involving other ArtsWA staff and the staff of ArtsWA partner agencies.

Apply by May 29th at 11:59 pm

Salary range: $4,425 - $5,960/month

Job type: Project (2-year duration)

Location: Thurston, Pierce, or South King counties – telework eligible with 6o% statewide travel expected

Responsibilities

Some of your specific activities include:

Use independent judgment to determine maintenance needs.

Present maintenance plans to managers.

Perform artwork maintenance.

Prepare maintenance reports.

Follow ArtsWA documentation standards.

Use a specialized database to record maintenance and archive photographs.

Assess tool and supply needs, making purchases as necessary.

Collaborate with other ArtsWA collections care staff, including Conservation Leads.

Maintain relationships with partner agencies.

Provide technical assistance to partner agencies.

Ensure site and public safety around work sites.

Requirements

Qualifications

Working conditions:

Travel will be statewide as needed. You must be able to drive and have a valid driver’s license. You will lift and carry heavy objects and use heavy equipment such as forklifts and scissors lifts.

Tools and Equipment Used: Heavy equipment such as forklifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts, gantries, and welders and drives larger cargo/utility vans and trucks. Uses power tools, lifts, shop tools, and equipment for wood- and metal-working.

Physical demands and abilities:

Lift and move objects weighing 50 lbs.

Work at heights over eight feet.

Stoop, bend, and kneel.

Wear a respirator or tolerate a powered air respiratory system (PAPR).

REQUIRED:

Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art conservation, or a closely related field

Highly relevant professional experience or apprenticeships may be considered a substitute for a degree.

(2) years of relevant professional experience

Must be able to drive and have a valid driver’s license.

Experience planning and coordinating projects

Working knowledge of common outdoor sculpture materials

Working knowledge of artwork fabrication

Ability to travel in Washington most weeks of the month, including overnight stays

PREFERRED:

Experience working in a conservation studio, sculpture fabrication studio, art foundry, or as part of an exhibition preparation or art handling team

Experience with artwork installation and de-installation in a professional setting

Experience with construction and carpentry

Experience operating boom, scissors, and/or forklifts, gantries, power and shop tools and other equipment and machinery requiring constant attention.

Experience working with paints, solvents, and similar products that may give off dust or off-gas (taking all due precautions prescribed by OSHA regulations).

Experience preparing reports, summaries, and recommendations for historical records

Experience taking high-quality photographs of art objects using a DSLR camera.

Ability to read and interpret technical and engineering drawings and documents.

Computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Photoshop, Sketchup or other 3D modeling software,

Communication skills (written and oral)

Ability to meet deadlines and successfully complete multiple projects across longer and varying periods of time with only general supervision.

Ability to work independently while contributing as a member of a team.

Willingness to take initiative and exercise an appropriate level of authority.

How to Apply

Please provide the following documents:

A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting

A current resume, detailing experience, and education

A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

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