Departmental Technician, Medieval Art & The Cloisters at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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 Departmental Technician, you are the caretaker of the Medieval Department’s collection at The Met Cloisters in coordination with conservation and curatorial staff. You will be expected to work in the department’s 5th Avenue location as needed. Responsibilities include general collections care, art handling, installation and deinstallation of objects, as well as maintenance of the galleries and storerooms.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Responsible for the handling, movement, installation, and deinstallation of works of art at The Cloisters- and in the Medieval Department.
• Responsible for the conditions in storerooms and proper storage of objects as well as maintenance of relevant tools and supplies
• Work with the Principal Departmental Technician in the Department of Medieval Art on departmental projects and exhibitions at both The Met and The Met Cloisters
• Daily inspection of permanent galleries, storerooms, and special exhibitions.
• Maintenance (dusting) of all objects in the galleries and storerooms.
• Facilitate and supervise object viewings by curators, conservators, scholars, and students.
• Assist in the annual inventory of the collection and update object locations in TMS
• Supervision of galleries during concerts, special events, and Communications projects, including set-up and breakdown in the galleries
• Other related duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2-3 years experience with art handling or collections care in a museum, gallery, fine art moving company, or professional art studio
• Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, museum studies, or conservation preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office, Photoshop, TMS, digital photography, Lightroom preferred
• Attention to detail required
• Ability to display initiative, to work independently, and to follow directions required
• Multi-tasking, ability to shift priorities regularly and to be flexible is essential
• Ability to work with curatorial, conservation, administrative, and facilities staff of all levels required
• Digital photography and computer skills required
• Mechanical aptitude and physical ability to perform duties required
• Ability to safely lift heavy objects

COMPENSATION RATE:

• Pay Rate: $24.17418 / Hourly
• An internal union applicant who is selected for this position will retain their current salary if it is higher than $24.17418 / Hour.

The advertised starting salary rate reflects the good faith minimum and maximum hourly rate for this role. Starting salary rates are set in accordance with established union rates provided by the economic agreement as established and negotiated by DC 37 and the City of New York, Office of Labor Relations. * Incumbent rates may vary depending on an individual employee’s seniority status, and/or based on terms as provided by the DC 37 Local 1503 and Museum collective bargaining agreement.

 

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

How To Apply:

Apply via Met career page. 

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.  

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.