Museum/Gallery Conservator Job Description

Museum/Gallery Conservator Duties and Responsibilities

Museum/Gallery Conservator job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

• Hosting laboratory or site tours for school groups and other visitors;
• Delivering talks and presentations to amateur and professional audiences;
• Using a range of instruments such as scalpels, cotton swabs, dental and carpentry tools, and solvents/adhesives;
• Organising the logistics of long-term projects and collaborating with other conservators in person and by email;
• Supervising volunteers, interns, junior conservation staff and students;
• Liaising with museum curators and other colleagues and sometimes helping to set up exhibitions;
• Advising other organisations on conservation issues;
• Accompanying objects in transit to other locations;
• Working out creative solutions to clean, support and repair sensitive objects;
• Examining artefacts, both visually and using scientific tools such as x-rays, infrared photography and microscopic analysis to determine the extent and causes of deterioration;
• Maintaining full conservation records by writing up notes on the object’s condition and any previous restoration work that has been done;
• Proposing and estimating the costs of treatments to halt decay and reveal the true nature of objects;
• Debating with colleagues to justify a proposed treatment regime;
• Monitoring and recording display and storage conditions with the aim of keeping objects in a stable condition;
• Producing a visual record of the object for identification purposes and to illustrate its condition;
• Recreating historically accurate finishes, such as mixing traditional paints from scratch;
• Developing and maintaining appropriate standards within the specialist area;
• Handling fragile or decayed objects found during work in the field and on archaeological excavations.
• Keeping up to date with the latest conservation techniques and practices, through research and training.

Museum/Gallery Conservator Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Museum/Gallery Conservator job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

• A relevant degree or diploma in arts.
• Excellent practical skills and technical ability to deal with the detailed and delicate nature of the work
• A combination of artistic and scientific ability and interests
• The ability to work to tight deadlines
• Creative problem-solving skills
• A flexible and adaptable approach
• Strong oral and written communication skills in order to explain complex information clearly to clients
• Patience and a methodical approach to work
• Self-motivation and the ability to manage an independent workload
• Perseverance, commitment and a genuine enthusiasm for the work
• Excellent administration and marketing skills, if you’re setting up your own business.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Museum/Gallery Conservator starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Museum/Gallery Conservator job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Museum/Gallery Conservator may also reference it in preparation for the interview.