Assistant Conservator at the J. Paul Getty Trust
Job Title: Assistant Conservator
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Los Angeles, CA
About the job
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion at Getty
Getty believes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion are essential to our excellence and to the execution of our mission. The Getty community values differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Job Summary
The Getty Research Institute’s (GRI) Conservation and Preservation Department seeks applicants for a limited-term, three-years position of Assistant Paper Conservator.
The Assistant Paper Conservator will join a dynamic team of conservators, mount-makers, pre-program and graduate interns and will report to the GRI’s Head of Conservation and Preservation. The Assistant Paper Conservator will primarily oversee the preservation, examination, documentation, and treatment of two large archives recently acquired by the GRI: The Claes Oldenburg archive and the Paul Williams archive.
Documenting the career of one of the most renowned and important artists of the 20th century, and one of the giants of Pop Art, the Claes Oldenburg archive contains a remarkable wealth of visually-rich materials covering nearly every portion of the artist’s life, from childhood drawings to the present day. [link to press release http://news.getty.edu/getty-research-institute-acquires-complete-archives-artist-claes-oldenburg-and-artist-and-curator-coosje-van-bruggen.htm ].
Paul Revere Williams was the most significant African American architect of the 20th century, with especially strong ties to Southern California and the city of Los Angeles. Documenting the entirety of Williams’ career, from his early residential commissions during Los Angeles’ housing boom of the 1920s to landmark mid-century civic structures, the archive includes approximately plans, original drawings, blueprints and project diazotypes, hand-colored renderings, vintage photographs, correspondence, and other materials [link to press release http://news.getty.edu/architect-paul-revere-williams-archive-jointly-acquired-by-usc-school-architecture-and-getty-research-institute.htm ]
The Getty Research Institute is dedicated to furthering knowledge and advancing awareness of the visual arts and their various histories through its expertise, ongoing collecting program, public programs, institutional partnerships, exhibitions, publications, digital services, and residential scholars programs. Its Research Library and Special Collections of rare materials and digital resources serve an international community of scholars and the interested public. The Institute’s activities and scholarly resources guide and sustain each other and collectively provide a unique environment for research, critical inquiry, and scholarly exchange.
Major Job Responsibilities
The Assistant Paper Conservator will perform examination, documentation, treatment and custom re-housing for the Oldenburg and Williams archives. They will assess the condition of the collections and establish priorities for their care and treatment; examine and evaluate the items in the collections, make recommendations and carry out conservation treatments. The Assistant Paper Conservator may also develop research on the materials and processes in both archives and disseminate findings. They should be interested in outreach and education of the public on the field of Conservation, and may supervise interns, provide training to staff, interns, professionals and the general public as needed. They may also participate in exhibition installations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree; MA in conservation or equivalent degree preferred
- 2-4 years experience in conservation
Requirement
All employees must be fully-vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus as a condition of employment. Exemptions from this requirement as a reasonable accommodation due to medical contraindication, disability or sincerely held religious belief or practice will be considered.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- 2-4 years of conservation experience in the conservation of paper-based items and archival material
- Knowledge of museum and archives practices and collections management
- Experience with architectural drawings and material and with modern and contemporary works of art on paper is a plus;
- Demonstrated ability to work under little supervision as well as successfully with others, collegial team player
- Creative problem solver
- Knowledge of Museum databases and common computational tools
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
To Apply: