Conservation Fellow (Post-Graduate Fellow)

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The Conservation Fellow is responsible for enhancing the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural assets by, in consultation with specialist curators and conservators, performing examination, treatment, collections care, and documentation of various artifacts, under the supervision of conservation staff.

Main Duties:

• Carries out examination and treatment of artifacts in the collection.
• Identifies conservation problems and implements solutions using established conservation guidelines; makes recommendations and explores resolution of difficult or unusual problems.
• Complies with the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics.
• Maintains documentation, including treatment proposals, treatment reports, and digital photography of objects treated.
• Prepares artifact housing, exhibition supports, and packs/moves objects as needed.
• Assists in routine operations and upkeep of the conservation lab by maintaining supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Helps with public outreach, including public tours.
• Assists with research and receives training in various treatment methodologies in media-specific labs. Works with preventive conservation and material analyst colleagues as appropriate.
• Assists in training and supervision of volunteers working in the lab.
• Prepares research projects or papers as required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree from a recognized conservation program, or equivalent apprenticeship/technical training with appropriate experience.
• Experience working with decorative arts objects.
• Experience in research, examination, treatments and report writing.
• Concentrated experience in at least one conservation specialty.

• Experience with digital photography workflow.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in a conservation lab or studio, under direction of an experienced conservator.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Knowledge of decorative arts objects.
• Familiarity with digital photography and Microsoft Office products.
• Highly developed dexterity to handle collections, use tools, and perform conservation treatments.
• Ability to make the best use of time and resources: using facilities, materials, and equipment effectively and with reasonable and appropriate care.
• Ability to communicate effectively and follow instructions orally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of acceptable practices for conservation and the maintenance of objects.
• Familiarity with workplace safety practices.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Scientific knowledge sufficient to undertake in-depth examination and analysis of objects.

Typical Work Schedule: A typical schedule is 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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