October 24, 2024

The National Museum of Australia

Canberra

FULL TIME

Conservator, Objects & Textiles - multiple roles

The objects and textiles conservators care for the Museum’s National Historical Collection and associated holdings. They support many of the Museum’s activities involving the collection and manage risks to preservation of the collection in the many diverse ways the collection is accessed, used and stored.
The conservator roles are part of a diverse team, reporting to a Senior Conservator in a busy and dynamic work environment. While the roles are based in material specialist conservation teams, they will also involve developing skills and working across all types of materials. There will be a wide range of activities associated with exhibitions and collections care, as well as maintenance of labs and equipment. The roles include varied conservation tasks including condition, pest and hazard assessments, interventive conservation treatments, preventive conservation and hazard management programs, preparation of objects for display, gallery maintenance, exhibition installs and de-installs, mount assessments and preparation, storage and collection rehousing activities. There will also be opportunities to participate in public programs, respond to occasional public and sector enquiries, and work on collaborative projects within the sector. Conservators will also represent their team at meetings where appropriate and may occasionally travel domestically and internationally to support touring exhibitions.
The positions entail working closely with conservation, registration and curatorial colleagues and a broad range of internal stakeholders across the organisation, external clients, volunteers and contractors on a variety of collection matters. The roles will also contribute to cross-skilling other conservators by providing training and mentoring in materials conservation and collection activities related to areas of expertise and knowledge.
Skills, experience and qualifications
The successful candidates will have proven specialist skills and experience in textiles or objects conservation, as well as general experience working across a broad range of material types and collection preservation activities.
They embrace a flexible working approach and are willing to support the team by working across all conservation areas when directed and required. They understand complex conservation treatment practices, including risk management, preventative and interventive. They can apply their skills to interventive treatment using established and new techniques, while being willing to experiment and take measured risks in developing treatment alternatives and improvements. They can demonstrate their capacity to work collaboratively with peers to implement initiatives that drive long-term preservation outcomes.
They have good analytical skills with the capacity to research efficiently, then analyse and present complex data to support decision-making processes. The successful candidates will have proven experience in preparing treatment proposals and the ability to implement, organise, monitor, report and deliver quality conservation outcomes.
They are good communicators who can effectively negotiate, influence, reflect and persuade to achieve results and positive outcomes. They are flexible, adaptable and outward looking and able to navigate changing and competing demands with professionalism. They work collegiately with a broad range of museum colleagues to deliver the Museum's priorities.
Thy show commitment to supporting corporate goals and priorities and can plan and organise their own work, as well as actively engaging with planning the work of their team to ensure effective delivery of program objectives.
They have good IT skills and prior experience of collection management systems and have proven capacity to utilise a range of information systems and tools to improve efficiency and productivity.
Key skills and experience required for the position:

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience and technical knowledge in cultural material conservation, with a specialisation in objects or textiles conservation.
Well-organised and demonstrated sound judgement, use of initiative and effective problem-solving skills.
Good analytical and research skills and proven capacity to apply these to the work of materials conservation.
Good communication, interpersonal, written, verbal and presentation skills.
Technical knowledge of risks and hazards associated with collections and proven experience in applying these to effective risk assessment and management practice.

Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:

be an Australian citizen
undergo pre-employment checks, including a police record check

To apply
Applicants must include a two (2) page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the essential and desirable Skills, experience and qualifications in this position description. Please include a CV as well as name and contact details for two (2) referees.