Department Technician - Modern and Contemporary

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The Departmental Technician is one of the primary caretakers of the Modern and Contemporary Department’s evolving collection of over 12, 000 objects. They will work in close collaboration with four other departmental technicians, under the direction of the Senior Collections Manager. Responsibilities include the physical handling, movement, and maintenance related to objects in the permanent collection for the purpose of installing both permanent collection displays and special exhibitions, as well as assisting in the assessment process for the Tang Wing Capital Project. Handling and transporting art will also be done in connection with photo imaging, conservation, and outgoing loans. Ongoing responsibilities include basic collections care, maintenance of the storerooms and galleries, and record keeping. The technician should be highly motivated, with an enduring commitment to the care, presentation, and preservation of works of art.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  • Safe handling and transportation of works of art and other materials within the museum;

  • Organize and maintain, ensuring the proper storage of objects, as well as ordering collections care tools and supplies;

  • Prepare artworks for display and outgoing loan, including framing and attaching hardware;

  • Engage in physical work includes lifting heavy objects; opening/closing display cases, and moving pedestals;

  • Record in TMS (The Museum System object database) the changes in movements and locations of artworks in both on- and off-site storage;

  • Working with the Tang Wing Collections and Conservation teams;

  • Assist with annual inventories of the collection;

  • Supervise special viewings of art by curatorial staff, scholars, students, and other visitors;

  • Conduct daily maintenance and inspection of the permanent and special exhibition galleries;

  • Communicate effectively with the art handling team, department staff, and museum professionals across the organization, including the Registrar, Conservation, Scientific Research, Imaging, and Design departments, as well as the Buildings department (handlers, carpenters, packers, lampers, electricians, painters, custodians, and the plexiglass and metal shops);

  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and Skills:

  • Minimum of three years’ experience caring for and handling artwork in a museum, gallery, fine art moving company, or professional artist studio;

  • Ability to adapt to multiple projects with shifting priorities, to work independently and in cooperation/coordination with all levels of MMA staff, to follow directions required;

  • Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail related to handling artworks and maintaining object records;

  • Ability to lift heavy objects is occasionally required;

  • Mechanical aptitude and physical ability to perform duties required;

  • Proactive attention to maintenance of gallery and artworks required;

  • Experience measuring and placing works of art on walls and pedestals in a manner that is both centered and level;

  • Willingness to work overtime (nights and weekends as needed) as needed.

Compensation Range:

  • Pay Rate: $20.80275/hour

  • The advertised starting salary rate reflects the good faith minimum and maximum hourly rate for this role. Starting salary rates are set in accordance with established union rates provided by the economic agreement as established and negotiated by DC 37 and the City of New York, Office of Labor Relations. Incumbent rates may vary depending on an individual employee’s seniority status, and/or based on terms as provided by the DC 37 Local 1503 and Museum collective bargaining agreement.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

How to Apply

Please apply through The Met Careers Site.

Apply Contact
Tags
Full Time Art Handling/Logistics Museum/Hist. Societies Non-Profit New York City Mid Level
Posted on March 17