Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) seeks a Conservator with expertise in objects conservation for anthropological, natural science, and library/archives collections. The successful candidate will head the Section of Conservation for operating the conservation laboratory, overseeing environmental conditions within the museum’s collections and exhibits, and administering the section budget. A key function of the Conservator is to provide conservation assessment and evaluation for exhibition development from the museum’s collections.

Museum Conservation – The Conservator will have the following responsibilities and functions:

• Treatment of anthropology and archaeology collections (preparing artifacts for temporary and permanent exhibitions at the museum, for external exhibit, or for research loans).
• Coordinating with anthropology staff regarding requests for testing and background information of their collections as required by Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
• Testing and technical analysis of materials for exhibits and for safe preservation of collections.
• Active participation in development of exhibits from in-house collections; installation and de-installation, and condition assessment/treatment of traveling exhibits on loan to CMNH.
• Maintaining long-term environmental monitoring of the collection and exhibition spaces in the museum’s Oakland facility, the Edward O’Neil Research Center, and offsite storage; also providing integrated pest-control management; working with the museum administration for timely response to OSHA issues in the collections and exhibits.
• Updating museum’s policies and documentation on collection and exhibition environments: CMNH Long-Range Conservation Plan, Collection Emergency Response Plan, Chemical Hazard Communication Plan, and archives of museum environmental monitoring programs.
• Obtaining funding for long-term preservation and conservation of the museum collections.

Professional Service, Research and Public Outreach – The Conservator is expected to participate in museum committees and taskforces, and to perform other tasks (e.g., fund-raising) as required by the museum. Activity in external professional communities is expected. The ability to interact with diverse audiences and constituents of the museum is desirable. There is strong encouragement to pursue scholarly publication in the conservation studies, and other professional activities for the advancement of museum conservation. The Conservator is expected to participate, when appropriate, in the museum’s public education program, and is encouraged to collaborate in university teaching.

Accountabilities - Management and operation of the museum’s conservation program, 70%; professional service for the museum and external professional community, 20%; Research, public outreach, education programs, and teaching, 10%. Accountabilities may be re-adjusted by prior approval from the museum’s administration. CMNH offers 10-month curatorial appointments, under which a Conservator may use two months per year for professional activities related to the Museum’s mission, or for teaching at universities. The Conservator reports to the Museum Director and Associate Director of Research and Collections.

Qualifications - A Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program and at least three years of experience as an Objects Conservator. Achievements in conservation publications, external funding and experience in public outreach are desirable.

Application – Please visit the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Human Resources site at http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/hr to create an applicant profile and upload an application letter (containing a statement on museum conservation and service), curriculum vitae and three professional references. Application review will begin on December 15, 2008, and continue until the position is filled. [Carnegie Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer.]