What are the responsibilities and job description for the Conservation Intern position at Newfields a Place for Nature & The Arts?
Job Details
Description
Responsibilities
The following responsibilities describe the general nature of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory.
Collections Care & Preventive Conservation
Required Skills
By the conclusion of the internship, the Conservation Intern will:
Description
Responsibilities
The following responsibilities describe the general nature of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory.
Collections Care & Preventive Conservation
- Assist with the handling, movement, storage, and rehousing of collection objects.
- Support environmental monitoring activities, including temperature, relative humidity, light, and pest management programs.
- Conduct routine collection condition assessments and assist with condition reporting.
- Assist in implementing preventive conservation measures for exhibitions, storage, and transportation of objects.
- Photograph objects before, during, and after treatment activities.
- Assist with maintaining conservation records and treatment documentation.
- Enter and update information within collections management and conservation databases.
- Organize digital and physical conservation files.
- Assist conservators with examination, testing, treatment preparation, and selected conservation activities under direct supervision.
- Prepare materials, tools, and workspaces for conservation treatments.
- Participate in research related to conservation techniques, materials, and best practices.
- Support special conservation projects as assigned.
- Assist with object preparation for exhibition installation and deinstallation.
- Help create mounts, supports, and storage solutions as appropriate.
- Support safe packing and unpacking of collection objects.
- Participate in exhibition planning meetings when appropriate.
- Attend departmental meetings, workshops, and training opportunities.
- Learn museum standards and ethical guidelines related to conservation practice.
- Participate in educational programs, tours, and presentations related to collections stewardship.
Required Skills
- Current enrollment in or recent completion of an undergraduate or graduate program in Conservation, Art History, Museum Studies, Chemistry, Materials Science, Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to follow established procedures and maintain accurate records.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
- Demonstrated interest in cultural heritage preservation and conservation.
- Previous experience in a museum, gallery, archives, library, or conservation laboratory setting.
- Familiarity with collections management systems and museum practices.
- Experience with photography and digital documentation.
- Basic understanding of conservation ethics and preventive conservation principles.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds with assistance as needed.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and work at a desk or laboratory bench for extended periods.
- Ability to safely handle fragile and valuable collection objects.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to perform detailed conservation-related tasks.
- Museum, conservation laboratory, collections storage, and gallery environments.
- Exposure to conservation materials and equipment with appropriate training and personal protective equipment.
- Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to support exhibitions or special projects
By the conclusion of the internship, the Conservation Intern will:
- Gain practical experience in museum conservation and collections care.
- Develop skills in condition assessment and conservation documentation.
- Understand preventive conservation strategies and museum environmental standards.
- Learn professional conservation ethics and stewardship practices.
- Build foundational experience for future graduate study or careers in conservation and museum work.