Museum Technicians and Conservators
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
- Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
- Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
- Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
- Supervise and work with volunteers.
- Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff.
- Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.
- Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
- Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
- Photograph objects for documentation.
- Lead tours and teach educational courses to students and the general public.
- Enter information about museum collections into computer databases.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials.
- Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
- Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
- Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used.
- Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method.
- Perform tests and examinations to establish storage and conservation requirements, policies, and procedures.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and improve methods of restoring and preserving specimens.
- Estimate cost of restoration work.
- Preserve or direct preservation of objects, using plaster, resin, sealants, hardeners, and shellac.
- Build, repair, and install wooden steps, scaffolds, and walkways to gain access to or permit improved view of exhibited equipment.
- Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects.
- Deliver artwork on courier trips.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
