Associate Conservator, Time-Based Media [End-Dated]

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. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

As the Associate Conservator of Time-Based Media, you will contribute to the care, documentation, treatment and study of objects within The Met’s time-based media collections. You will evaluate, examine, treat, and document objects within the museum’s collections. You will collaborate with other Conservators, with Curators, Scientists, Collection Managers and Audio Visual Specialists, and act as an allied professional within the wider conservation field through the publication and presentation of your work within professional forums. You will contribute to the department’s fundraising, budget and grant proposals.

Time-based media conservation is part of the Department of Photograph Conservation with shared offices and a TBM lab hosted by the Imaging Department.

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 1 Year

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Evaluate and examine the condition of time-based media artworks and their associated equipment for prospective treatment, outgoing or incoming loans, potential acquisitions, future exhibition, or for their contribution to scholarly research.

• Conduct collections assessments of time-based media artworks in Modern and Contemporary Department,

• Manage, perform and document conservation treatment of objects.

• Manage conservation projects involving collaboration with Curators and other internal stakeholders.

• Represent a conservation perspective during all stages of an exhibition planning process, including in the planning of exhibition budgets.

• Participate in departmental administration, fundraising, and grant writing.

• Present and publish findings in professional meetings and publications. Give public talks on area of expertise.

• In collaboration with department, develop environmental and material standards for the display, storage and transportation of art.

• Stay up to date on developing technologies, ethics and best practices within the field.

• Supervise the professional development of Assistant Conservators, interns and fellows.

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree from a recognized conservation program in time-based media conservation.

• 5 years of working experience within Conservation area of focus.

• Demonstrated record of publication.

• Excellent examination skills with understanding of time-based media conservation techniques.

• Demonstrated experience in performing complex conservation treatments.

• Basic photography and proficiency in using imaging programs for documentation.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to physically participate in conservation treatments, including hand skills, lifting and movement of objects.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with ability to receive/give productive feedback/criticism.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $90,000.00 - $95,000.00 / Annually

• The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for