Assistant Conservator of Textiles and Costumes

Position:  Assistant Conservator of Textiles and Costumes

The Conservation Department at the Museum of Art, Houston (MFAH) seeks applicants for an Assistant Conservator of Textiles and Costumes.

The Assistant Conservator of Textiles and Costumes will join a dynamic team of 17 full-time staff members, including conservators, conservation scientists, technicians and framers, and departmental coordinator and assistant. At any given time, the department also hosts pre-program conservation interns, third/fourth-year interns, fellows, and volunteers.

 The textile conservation lab is located in the newly constructed Sarah Campbell Blaffer Center for Conservation facility, completed in 2018. The Center is comprised of a total of 34,000 square feet and includes Conservation Science, Historic Frames, Painting, Photography and Sculpture and Objects labs, Paper, and Photography as well as imaging and conservation preparatory studios.  

The successful candidate will work with various departments and staff members within the institution to care for the Museum's textile collection--a comprehensive range of materials from all periods, including European and North/South American, Islamic, Indian and South Asia. The various collections include textile and costume and arts and craft. Close collaboration with the curators, other members of the conservation department and collections care staff is essential. 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes almost 70,000 objects and spans 5,000 years of achievement in the arts. The recently concluded Museum expansion transformed the museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and art education.  

Responsibilities 

The Assistant Conservator of Textiles and Costumes is responsible for the preservation, examination, documentation, and treatment of the MFAH’s vast and diverse textile-based collections, in accordance with the AIC code of ethics. They will work independently with examination and analyzing the textile/costume/craft collection to determine if treatment is required, making recommendations and carrying out conservation treatments.  

The successful candidate will also evaluate and track loan requests and participate in museum wide preservation activities including gallery monitoring, exhibition installation and collection maintenance. 

The successful candidate will have travel opportunities as they relate to the functions of the department and to attend professional development and conferences. In addition, they should be interested in (and motivated by) opportunities for outreach and education of the public in the field of Conservation.   

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and completion of a graduate-level course of study in Conservation with a specialization in conservation of textiles, or equivalent education and training 
• Assistant level: Two (2), or more years of post-internship experience in the conservation of textiles and costumes, preferably in a museum setting
• Experience with museum practices and collections management
• Familiarity with the types and materials represented in the museum’s textile and costume collection.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as successfully with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies to achieve institutional objectives and fulfill the mission of the museum. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English 
• Ability to work with databases, word processing, and other computing tools that the staff is expected to be used on a regular basis 
• Understanding of and adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1,000 docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without accommodation, each essential job duty satisfactorily. Essential duties may include the following:

• Occasionally (with assistance) lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for handling artwork and operation of tools and equipment. 
• Standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and peripheral vision.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of radiation.  (PPE will be supplied.)

A more comprehensive job description is available upon request.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org

Benefits:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program

Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.

• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.
• Employees may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible employees contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service. (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)

Other Benefits

• MFAH Membership - Employees receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts - Employees receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy

Compensation:

$50,000.00

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description.