Museum Technicians and Conservators

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Museum Technicians and Conservators

Careers / Museum Technicians and Conservators

Summary Description


	Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Armorer Technician

2.	Art Conservator

3.	Art Objects Repairer

4.	Art Preparator

5.	Artifacts Conservator

6.	Ceramic Restorer

7.	Collections Curator

8.	Collections Manager

9.	Collections Specialist

10.	Conservation Assistant

11.	Conservation Technician

12.	Conservation Worker

13.	Conservator

14.	Curator

15.	Curator of Collections

16.	Curatorial Assistant

17.	Director of Exhibits

18.	Document Restorer

19.	Ethnographic Materials Conservator

20.	Exhibit Preparator

21.	Exhibit Technician

22.	Exhibition Designer

23.	Exhibits Coordinator

24.	Exhibits Curator

25.	Fine Arts Packer

26.	Head of Conservation

27.	Lace and Textiles Restorer

28.	Museum Exhibit Technician

29.	Museum Preparator

30.	Museum Registrar

31.	Museum Technician

32.	Objects Conservator

33.	Paintings Conservator

34.	Paper and Prints Restorer

35.	Paper Conservator

36.	Preparator

37.	Research Assistant

38.	Restoration Technician

39.	Sculpture Conservator

40.	Textile Conservator

41.	Transportation Equipment Maintenance Worker

42.	Water Restoration Technician

Job Tasks

	Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.

	Repair, restore and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration. Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.

	Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used. Maintain operational records.

	Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes. Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.

	Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair. Inspect materials or equipment to determine need for repair or replacement.

	Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up. Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits. Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.

	Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff. Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.

	Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects. Direct activities of subordinates.

	Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method. Evaluate characteristics of archival or historical objects.

	Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control. Direct department activities. Classify materials according to standard systems.

	Perform tests and examinations to establish storage and conservation requirements, policies, and procedures. Develop policies or procedures for archives, museums or libraries.

	Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping. Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.

	Photograph objects for documentation.

	Estimate cost of restoration work.

	Plan and conduct research to develop and improve methods of restoring and preserving specimens. Research topics in area of expertise.

	Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials. Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.

	Preserve or direct preservation of objects, using plaster, resin, sealants, hardeners, and shellac. Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.

	Deliver artwork on courier trips.

	Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts. Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.

	Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.

	Lead tours and teach educational courses to students and the general public. Plan community programs or activities for the general public.

	Supervise and work with volunteers. Direct activities of subordinates.

	Construct skeletal mounts of fossils, replicas of archaeological artifacts, or duplicate specimens, using a variety of materials and hand tools. Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.

	Build, repair, and install wooden steps, scaffolds, and walkways to gain access to or permit improved view of exhibited equipment. Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.

	Cut and weld metal sections in reconstruction or renovation of exterior structural sections and accessories of exhibits. Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers
	Archivists appraise, process, catalog, and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. Curators oversee collections of artwork and historic items, and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore objects and documents in museum collections and exhibits.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers
	Archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators typically work in museums, historical sites, governments, colleges and universities, corporations, and other institutions that require their skills. Most work full time.

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