Conservation Assistant - Africa/Egypt Exhibit

Position: Conservation Assistant - Africa/Egypt Exhibit

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Department: Gantz Family Collections Center

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical dental vision plans and even pet insurance.

• Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off paid sick leave and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.

• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

Were dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!

The Field Museum seeks a Conservation Assistant to work on Egyptian archaeological and African social history items as part of the Africa Hall Renovation Project. This is a term position for a period of a little over two years.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct condition assessment documentation and treatment of archaeological and social history collection items and loans. Assessment and documentation will require written and photographic documentation and may also involve chemical spot testing. Applicants should note that the work will involve handling documenting and treating human remains and sacred items.
• Collaborate with African community representatives to understand materials and methods of manufacture the cultural significance of specific collections and to determine appropriate and acceptable practices for those collections care.
• Where advice from communities of origin conflicts with established museum practice seek to privilege the advice from the community of origin and incorporate it into museum practice.
• Ensure documentation images analyses and collaborative discussions are archived both as hard copies and as digital copies in the Collections Management System (KE EMu).
• Assist with specifying and constructing display and storage equipment and environmental control measures as needed.
• Assist with performing Oddy tests of proposed exhibition materials.
• Assist in supervising volunteers and interns as needed.
• Assist with incoming and outgoing loans as assigned. Some off-site travel may be required.
• Conduct integrated pest management (IPM) monitoring and gallery walk-throughs of assigned areas.
• Share skills outcomes problems and solutions with others through discussion short classes and presentations as assigned.
• Demonstrate working practices that are safe for yourself those around you and for collection items.
• Show informed adherence to all appropriate regulations regarding hazardous materials.
• Conform to departmental policies on the appropriate handling of and access to sacred or culturally sensitive materials and ancestral remains.
• Participate in maintaining the conservation laboratories: researching specifying procuring maintaining and ensuring the safe storage and handling of collections equipment and supplies.
• Assist in keeping collection storage workspace equipment and supplies clean and well-organized.
• Participate in weekly and monthly departmental and project meetings.
• Contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating collegiality and inclusiveness in interactions with colleagues external partners and the public.

Skills and Competencies:

• B.A./B.S. degree; a major in a field relevant to conservation (i.e. studio art anthropology chemistry) is desirable.
• Ability to work safely in conservation labs and museum galleries.
• Demonstrable good written and spoken communication skills.
• Demonstrable good collaboration with others. Previous experience working collaboratively with communities of origin on the treatment display and storage of museum collections would be a plus.
• Previous experience with Egyptian archaeological material and/or African social history material is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety precautions to create a safe working environment for self and others; demonstrated ability to work safely with chemicals.
• Demonstrated ability in chemical spot testing is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability in or the ability to learn to work effectively in the following technologies: Windows operating system Google Workspace Dropbox Paper MS Word Excel and PowerPoint.
• Digital photography experience is a plus. Editing and output to AIC conservation documentation standards will be expected. (Refer to the Guide To Digital Photography & Conservation Documentation 3rd ed. for typical workflows).
• Searching data entry and reporting in at least one Collections Management System; experience with KE-EMu collections management software is preferred. (If you have no experience with KE-EMu we will provide training.)
• Ability to work as part of multiple teams to meet departmental goals.
• Good visual acuity fine motor skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially with different constituencies to achieve departmental goals.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends (time off in lieu will normally be offered).

Supervision Received:

Receives general supervision by Senior Conservator.

Supervision Exercised:

May be required to help supervise Interns (up to 2) or Volunteers (up to 2).

Work Hours and Shift:

35 hours/weekly

Hybrid Eligibility:

Not eligible

Location:

1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago IL 60605

Union Representation: This position is represented by Field Museum Workers United AFSCME Council 31 AFL-CIO.

Pay: 23.56/Hourly

PLEASE READ: *When you apply for multiple positions please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination embracing diversity and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application participating in interviews or any other part of the selection process please reach out to us at .