Senior Manager of Conservation

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of artifacts, objects, and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
 

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits. 

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

The Senior Manager of Conservation, also referred to as the Conservator, within the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) is responsible for the long-term preservation of the 22 million specimens and artifacts in collections in the museum's care. The collections are stored at four locations and are exhibited throughout the museum’s 100,000 square feet of exhibition space.  

The Conservator plans, manages, and executes work based on broad-based knowledge, skills, and requisite training and experience and ensures that all work is performed according to the guidelines established by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. This position leads all conservation activities including the management of the conservation team and oversight of two conservation laboratories. One of the conservation labs, known as the Visible Lab, is located within an exhibition gallery. The Visible Lab is designed to feature active conservation work and be a place for the conservation team to have daily interactions with museum visitors.  

The Conservator will have a critical role in several museum-wide, multi-year initiatives including multiple exhibition projects, standardizing collections preservation operations, and improving collections storage. In addition to having exceptional technical expertise, the Conservator must be a collaborative partner in collections stewardship activities carried out across the museum. The position will refine or redefine existing conservation processes and procedures and collaborate with scientific, exhibition, and facilities staff for the improvement of collection care in storage and on exhibition.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Master’s degree or professional certificate in conservation with specific training in the AIC Essential Competencies for Conservation, Preservation, and Scientific Analysis OR equivalent leadership experience as a natural history museum conservator.

• Minimum of five years museum experience working in a conservation laboratory performing duties applicable to the AIC Essential Competencies for Conservation, Preservation, and Scientific Analysis.

• Experience using museum collections management systems and managing well-organized digital and analog conservation records.

• Experience successfully managing complex conservation projects such as exhibition installation/deinstallation, collection moves, or emergency response. 

• Experience implementing museum-wide conservation policies and procedures, emergency response plans, integrated pest management, and staff training.  

• Experience developing or leading public outreach and learning opportunities in natural history collections conservation.

• Experience developing and managing grant proposals and operating budgets. 

• Experience recruiting, training, and managing successful teams; experience mentoring students; experience fostering an inclusive, equitable, diverse work environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of contemporary principles, methods, and techniques of conservation encompassing a broad range of media with an emphasis on preventative conservation principles and expertise in natural history and anthropological collections.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in both oral and written form. 

• Knowledge of museum ethical and legal and practices and adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice.   

• Ability to prioritize conservation needs and efforts across the Museum and recommend pragmatic, context-based solutions for collections preservation.  

• Knowledge of analytical techniques such microchemical spot test, microscopy, handheld XRF, UV or IR photography. 

• Knowledge of organic chemistry, chemical cleaning and properties of adhesion and consolidation, solvent handling and chemistry, dilutions and neutralization, and chemical waste disposal.

• Knowledge of facilities systems, collection storage, and exhibition environments necessary for long-term collections preservation. 

• Ability to recognize factors of deterioration, their identification, and remedial techniques.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, construction and facilities documents, financial reports, and legal documents.

• Ability to use and maintain equipment and hand tools necessary for the treatment and conservation of natural history collections.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Position requires bending and lifting, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time during treatments, moving safely and carrying moderately sized objects short distances, turning, repetitive motion, climbing, and regularly lifting weights of 40lbs. Occasional ladder and aerial lift work may be required.

Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULING:

The physical work environment includes exposure to chemical and physical hazards that require personal protective equipment. Examples chemical hazards include the use of solvents necessary for conservation treatment and hazards inherent to specific collections such as toxic preservatives and radioactivity. Examples of physical hazards include noise hazards from hand tools and equipment, fall hazards from use of ladders and lifts; and ergonomic hazards such as repetitive motion.

Position requires occasional scheduled night and weekend work and unscheduled, on-call hours.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Oversees the physical care, safety, and policies related with the preservation of objects in the collection and on loan to meet or exceed recognized museum standards. Ensures conservation treatments adhere to contemporary professional standards regarding effectiveness, safety to the objects/specimens and staff. 

• Surveys and assesses collections to determine condition and preservation needs through holistic collection assessment or representative sampling. Undertakes or leads efforts and/or teams of conservation and collections staff to perform condition assessment of such collections. Through innovative efforts, modifies existing tools or builds new tools to fit project needs to capture data. 

• Develops, leads, and monitors the implementation of annual and multi-year collections preservation and maintenance work plans; aligns goals and processes with the Museum's goals and strategic framework 

• Draws on extensive experience in conservation and conservation research to successfully plan and lead complex projects that may involve additional staff, contractors, and/or students.  

• Supports and maintains a work environment and culture committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the way staff, students, volunteers, and contractors are recruited, managed, supervised, and mentored. 

• Provides training and instruction in conservation principles, techniques, and methodologies, and the use of equipment to other staff, students, and volunteers.  

• Collaborates with Carnegie Museums Facilities, Planning and Operations department, other Carnegie Museums conservators, and CMNH staff in work regarding environmental monitoring and management, integrated pest management, housekeeping, and security. Serves as the natural history collection preservation subject matter expert in reviewing contracts, agreements, and maintenance plans.  

• Identifies, assesses, documents, and monitors hazards in the collection, such as arsenic-treated taxidermy, and ensures hazards are properly mitigated.

• Manages conservation laboratories ensuring that safety standards are met, equipment is maintained, and the space is clean and well organized.

• Documents, in written and photographic format, the condition and treatment of specimens and artifacts in the collection and on loan; maintains fastidious conservation records, both analog and digitally in the collections management database system 

• Designs and constructs crates and housing for the safe transportation and storage of collections; trains staff on the creation of collections housing and physical curation; advises exhibition team on the design of mounts and exhibitry to ensure long-term care of collections.

• Participates in emergency and disaster planning and leads museum’s efforts related to emergency training, response, and treatment of collections. 

• Communicates technical and conceptual issues clearly and effectively in written and non-written form to other professional peers, Museum stakeholders, and the general public as part of collaboration, service, and advocacy. 

• Regularly publishes or presents research or scholarly findings with papers that make a noted impact on the field’s body of knowledge. 

• Regularly participates in Museum outreach through the Visible Lab and through scheduled programming and learning experiences. 

• Independently or collaboratively develops grant proposals for conservation projects; provides consultation to colleagues on the physical care and preservation requirements of their project proposals and work plans. 

• In consultation with the Director of Care & Access, develops and manages Conservation annual and project budgets.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Expecting starting pay range, based on experience, $54,000 to $68,000. 

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.