PREVENTATIVE CONSERVATOR

IMMA has created a new permanent role of Preventative Conservator offering a successful candidate the opportunity to join a forward-looking organisation.  The Preventative Conservator will play an important role in supporting the ongoing care of the diverse collection of modern and contemporary art at IMMA.

Reporting to the Senior Registrar and Collections Manager, the Preventative Conservator will work closely with the IMMA Collections team and collaborate with all IMMA departments to ensure the highest standards of collections care and management are maintained across all collections in IMMA’s care.

IMMA is currently partaking in the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) and the Preventative Conservator role will be important in assisting to develop a new, long-term, sustainable Care of Collections Strategy.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES / KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the monitoring of and report on environment, lighting, pollutants and pest control in collection storage areas and galleries.
• Report environmental issues in stores and galleries to relevant staff and to Operations, liaising with the Operations Executive and monitoring tickets logged and escalating where necessary until resolution.
• Liaise with IMMA’s environmental monitoring system suppliers to plan annual calibration of monitors, supervise install of new monitors when necessary; report issues and troubleshoot problems.
• Review IMMA’s pest management in stores and galleries in liaison with the Facilities Supervisor
• Conduct condition reports for incoming and outgoing IMMA Collection loans and IMMA Collection exhibition installs and deinstalls as required.
• Arrange and schedule specialist conservation treatments or reports, photography and framing as required for IMMA Collections.
• Carry out remedial conservation on IMMA Collections from time to time, as requested.
• Act as artwork courier for IMMA Collections as requested.
• Work with the Senior Registrar and Collections Manager, alongside the Head of Security in ensuring that an active disaster response plan is in place for the Collection in storage and on display and contributing to the overall Museum disaster response plan and related risk management.
• Assist with development and implementation of the Collections Care Strategy with the Head of Collections and the Senior Registrar and Collections Manager, as required.
• Assist the Head of Collections and Senior Registrar and Collections Manager with IMMA’s application for Museum Standards Programme for Ireland in regard to preventative conservation and collections care.
• Assist with the development and review of preventative conservation policies and procedures.
• Work with the Collections team to plan annual programmes of Collections display, research, preservation and access.
• Assist in the training of staff on techniques for the care of collections, by way of presentations and reports.
• Travel nationally and internationally, when required, to condition check IMMA Collection artworks on loan to other organisations.
• Work with the Time-Based Media Artwork (TBMA) Conservator, Senior Registrar and Collections Manager and other IMMA staff to ensure TBMA are cared for to the same collection management standards as other Collection works. This may include:
• Rehousing of physical TBMA components (e.g., slides, film, tapes, discs, certificates) in archival materials and in appropriate climate conditions.
• Liaising with the IMMA IT Department and TBMA conservator to ensure the safe storage, access, and backup of all digital TBMA components.
• Supporting TBMA conservator with other preventive conservation activities including artist interviews and artwork documentation.

Current Key Deliverables

• Conduct a Care of Collections situation review as per MSPI guidelines by Q4 2023.
• Carry out condition checks and file condition reports for IMMA artworks prior to loan and display and within 2 weeks following return to storage.
• Prioritise IMMA works for conservation treatment and new storage solutions with the Senior Registrar and Collections Manager by Q4 2023.
• Rehouse physical TBMA components in archival materials by Q2 2024.
• Regular and effective monitoring and reporting on environment, lighting, pollutant and pests for storage and display areas.
• Develop an Integrated Pest Management plan across all IMMA sites by Q2 2025.
• Develop further the IMMA Care of Collections Strategy with the Head of Collections and Senior Registrar and Collections Manager by Q2 2024.
• Maintain and update preservation and conservation records on the Collections Management System in a timely fashion.
• Manage IMMA’s environmental monitoring system to ensure that IMMA collections are stored and displayed in the best possible conditions.

Cross Functional

• Liaise with colleagues across the museum and external suppliers to support the delivery of IMMA’s preventative conservation.
• Work closely with the Collections team to maximise the visibility of IMMA’s giving programmes.
• Participate in cross functional working groups as required.

Key responsibilities to be undertaken based on priorities agreed with the Senior Registrar and / or HOD and subject to the needs of the Department/ Programme.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

Qualifications: Hold an honours degree or post graduate degree in object conservation in paintings or paper, a part of which included Preventive Conservation

Experience:

• At least three years preventive conservation experience (or equivalent).
• A knowledge of museum collections and experience managing collection care in a museum or similar institution.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management and its application in a museum or similar institution.
• Experience of carrying out artwork condition reports and conservation treatments.
• Experience of working across multiple museum (or similar institution) departments and supervising contractors.

Competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, reporting concisely to others on complex topics following analysis of key data.
• Experience of using environmental monitoring systems and the Microsoft Suite of programs including Word, Excel and Outlook
• The ability to plan and work on own initiative.
• Ability to work with colleagues across the museum and share knowledge and skills.
• A practical approach to problem solving alongside the ability to prioritise workload.

Applicable Competency Framework: https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/Executive_Officer_Competencies.pdf

Note: This job advert is a guide to broad areas of responsibilities and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing.

How to apply: Applicants should submit one attachment containing a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae by email, outlining how they meet the required criteria to [email protected]

Applicable Competency Framework: https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/Executive_Officer_Competencies.pdf

Note: This job advert is a guide to broad areas of responsibilities and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing.

 Closing date: Applications to be submitted no later than 5pm 11th June 2023.

Interviews: June 2023

Applications will be shortlisted based on the required criteria for the role.

IMMA is an equal opportunities employer and we value equality, diversity and inclusion and we recognise the benefits it can bring to IMMA and enhance staff and visitor experiences. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the applications process please email [email protected]