The Conservation Specialist is primarily responsible for the care, repair, handling, design, fitting, alteration, and fabrication of frames for objects in the Carnegie Museum of Art’s collection and on loan to the Museum, encompassing a wide range of frame styles and periods, for exhibition, storage, and travel. Working closely with the Senior Manager of Conservation, the Conservation Specialist is a partner to the Museum’s in-house Conservation and Curatorial staff and contract Conservators in reviewing, preparing, matting, hinging, mounting, glazing, framing and/or rehousing collection objects. They possess a strong knowledge of materials, an understanding of the strengths and limitations of different types of paper compositions, weights, orientations, and art-making processes in order to make appropriate decisions about the long-term storage and/or display of a work, both independently and in tandem with recommendations outlined by the Senior Manager of Conservation. The Conservation Specialist will manage the operations of framing at the Museum, including but not limited to creating and managing the schedule, workflow, material inventory, communication, and staffing for all frame and paper housing projects. They work in close collaboration with staff across Carnegie Museum of Art, including Art Preparation & Installation, Registration, Exhibitions, Collections Information, Curatorial, Design & Publishing, and Education. As a member of the Conservation department, the Conservation Specialist is expected to participate in a proactive fashion in the preservation of the Museum’s collections. The Conservation Specialist will have professional learning and training opportunities to expand and enrich their toolkit and hand-skills in a manner relevant to forthcoming Museum projects. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree or relevant certification required. Five or more years of matting/framing experience in a museum setting and a dedicated focus on the care and preparation of works on paper required. Three years working in collaboration with museum conservators required. A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license is also required.

Please see a full list of requirements and responsibilities on the Carnegie Museums’ Career Site.