Supervisory Chief Conservator (Chief Conservator)

Full Job Description

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the conservation laboratory of the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG), Smithsonian Institution (SI).

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience examining and treating artworks using accepted conservation methods for restoration and preservation of objects including use of diagnostic tools, monitoring environmental conditions and understanding of potential hazards; advising on standards and procedures for safe handling, storage, and display of art objects; and preparing educational information on conservation for lectures, tours, and label text.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position.

Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience.

Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Major Duties:

The Supervisory Chief Conservator (Chief Conservator) supervises and manages a professional team of conservators leading a full range of conservation actions as well as technical analyses of art objects.

This position is also responsible for the comprehensive administration of the conservation laboratory where they plan, direct, and coordinate conservation activities of the laboratory.

In this position, you will: Perform a full range of technical examinations of works of art to identify their structure and components, their condition, and any appropriate treatment.

Establish procedures for the examination, handling and movement of objects in preparation for loan or exhibition.

Develop and propose annual budgets for the labs, oversees procurement and contract work in the lab.

Review and approve the activities of the professional, para-professional, and technical while distributing work among staff and revising priorities as necessary.