Conservator

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and accredited museum in Miami, Florida (www.vizcaya.org). The Conservator is the primary person responsible for the care, preservation, and conservation of the site’s collections which include furnishings, decorative arts, textiles, paintings, outdoor sculpture, and architectural features and historic finishes both interior and exterior. Given the integral relationship between collections and the buildings and gardens that house them, the Conservator is also involved in the historic preservation of the estate. The Conservator reports to the Deputy Director for Collections and Curatorial Affairs and supervises one FT Collections Care Specialist, one FT Collections Care Technician and one or more interns.
 
The estate is owned by Miami-Dade County and is operated by the non-profit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc. since 2017. Our mission is to preserve Vizcaya’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future. Our vision is to position Vizcaya as an enduring, inclusive and innovative place that inspires people to embrace the cultural vitality and environmental sustainability of the world around us.
 
Essential Functions

• Effectively supervise subordinates and manage the conservation internship program.
• Oversee the ongoing preventive conservation program, including cyclic maintenance, environmental monitoring, and Integrated Preventive Pest Management.
• Examine and treat objects and finishes; solicit proposals for and supervise conservation treatments by outside contractors; maintain supply inventory for the conservation studio and collections care staff; maintain all conservation- and maintenance-related documentation.
• Review and manage the long-range conservation plan, including the maintenance and conservation of stone sculptures and surfaces and the conservation of the Robert Winthrop Chanler ceiling mural and related objects and finishes in the Swimming Pool Grotto.
• Support the Capital Projects team in the planning and execution of capital projects.
• Participate in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
• Participate in the Preservation and Maintenance Committee and conduct object handling and collections-related safety training for staff.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop funding requests and grant applications; report on conservation projects to internal as well as external stakeholders; represent Vizcaya at professional conferences and meetings

 
This job description is not designed to be comprehensive; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
 
Compensation
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens offers competitive compensation with an organizational minimum wage of $15/hour, generous leave policies and robust medical insurance and other benefits for full-time employees.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is committed to equity and inclusion and we are at the beginning of a strategic process to ensure that our staff, Board and volunteers reflect our community’s diversity. Vizcaya welcomes applicants from groups that are underrepresented in cultural organizations and seeks to recruit, develop and retain a diverse workforce.
 
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an equal opportunity employer. Vizcaya respects people of all backgrounds and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, familial status, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or other applicable legally protected characteristics protected by law.   
 

To Apply
Please submit a resume and a cover letter expressing your interest in this position by February 19, 2021 to:
 
HRVizcaya@vizcaya.org
 
Education and Work Experience

• Required: Master’s degree in Conservation, Historic Preservation, or related field. At least four years of experience in the conservation of decorative or fine arts objects or historic preservation.  Preferred: Professional Associate status with the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

 
Skills and Attributes

• Considerable knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of conservation.
• Considerable knowledge of the techniques, tools and equipment, and materials and current scientific processes used in practical conservation of objects and historic finishes.
• Ability to identify and assess preservation needs for a variety of objects, architectural features, and historic finishes.
• Ability to plan and manage conservation and maintenance projects.
• Ability to clearly communicate with colleagues in Capital Projects and other departments, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to write accurate, clear, and concise proposals and reports detailing activities of said projects.
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel engaged in preservation activities.
• Ability to work in a variety of mediums.

 
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The Conservator conducts both managerial and administrative in-office tasks as well as hands-on work both inside and outdoors.  The job requires certain physical demands.  Employee should possess the ability to lift 30 lbs., safely bend/crouch to lift and handle collection objects and stand for potentially long periods of time. 
 
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full time (40 hours per week, Monday-Friday), exempt position. Occasional evening and weekend work required.
 
Updated January 22, 2021