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.

About the Department:

The Sherman Fairchild Center for Works on Paper and Photograph Conservation is dedicated to the treatment, examination, preservation, technical analysis, and research of works of art from all seventeen of the Museum’s curatorial departments, to contribute to the scholarship of the collection and make objects available for exhibition, education, and study.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

As the Assistant Paper Conservator, you will undertake a wide range of conservation procedures on Western historic, modern, and contemporary drawings and prints; portrait miniatures; illuminated manuscripts on vellum; Islamic and Indian paintings; wallpaper; papyrus and other materials that are under the jurisdiction of the Paper Conservation Department. The role participates in preventative conservation and works with numerous departments across the Museum in all facets of preparation and installation of exhibitions.

The Museum may recommend that a new hire at Assistant Level be awarded credit for time worked in the same or similar role with comparable responsibilities as outlined in the Regulations for Curatorial, Education, Library, Conservation, and Scientific Research employees. An Associate level may also be considered with an additional 5 years’ experience.

Please send a cover letter and resume with applications.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Examine, treat, analyze, study, and document assigned works of art from the Met collection and devise conservation strategies and housing solutions based on current conservation standards and ethics.
Carry out condition examinations of works of art to be loaned, on loan, or to be acquired.
Work on exhibitions either alone or with the guidance of other conservators which includes examinations of works of art, and planning and participating in installations.
Use digital cameras and electronic resources for documentation and learn and use museum databases/digital documentation protocols.
Participate in the training of interns and fellows, undertaking approved department conservation or research projects, courier trips, laboratory discussions, and tours. Participation in the conservation community including attending meetings, conferences, teaching, and other professional involvement.
Conduct preservation activities, such as housing and hinging of works of art and environmental monitoring.
Adhere to recognized Standards for Preservation practices for works of art on paper.
Assist in the maintenance of the laboratory including facilities, equipment, and supplies, and the preparation of chemical reagents and solutions according to established safety procedures.
Research new products and obtain product information; keep abreast of current professional literature and innovations.
Contribute to departmental outreach efforts, including social media and Museum website content creation.
Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s level degree from a recognized conservation training program with specialization in paper conservation.
2 years of full-time experience as a Paper Conservator (includes fellowships).
Organizational and time management skills; the ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve goals.
Knowledge of use of microscopes and alternative light sources for complex examination.
Ability to use various nondestructive instruments (Infrared Reflectography, X-Radiography, and X-Ray Fluorescence) and understanding scientific equipment and chemical and material sciences in the analysis of works of art.
In depth knowledge of the history of paper, papermaking, artists’ materials, and demonstrated interest in works of art, their fabrication and history, art history and aesthetic criteria in relation to conservation projects.
Interest in broadening knowledge of relevant fields by taking advantage of the Museum’s expertise and resources, and professional development opportunities.
Ability to work cooperatively or independently as needed and accept supervision.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

Pay Range: $73,000.00 - $80,000.00 / Annually
The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

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.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
Free financial-planning services
Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
25% discount for staff in Museum shops
A subsidized staff cafeteria
Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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Assistant Conservator, Paper Conservation