Dept - Objects Conservation - Assistant or Associate Manager of Technical Documentation

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City-The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Since it was founded in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.

About the Department

The Department of Objects Conservation is responsible for the conservation and mounting/installation of three-dimensional art at the Museum's three venues. The scope of the Objects Conservation's mission-critical responsibilities extends to every curatorial department and all of the Museum's collections-based activities, including acquisitions, deaccessioning, exhibitions, capital projects, scholarly research, teaching and outreach, etc. The substantial scope of work includes over 7,000 completed object requests annually and the variation in scale ranges from single beads to historic interiors and architectural stone elements embedded in the Museum's buildings.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The Assistant or Associate Manager of Technical Documentation reports to the Senior Manager, Administration and Operations with dotted line responsibility to the Conservator in Charge. In this key support role, the Assistant or Associate Manager of Technical Documentation will be responsible for overseeing the department's technical documentation, record keeping, and related responsibilities as described below.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Documentation and Recordkeeping

• Create and maintain department's documentation standards and rules. Train staff and support their application of said standards. Partner with IS&T and Digital Departments to this end as needed.
• Work with TMS and NetX teams to support departmental projects and provide training when relevant.
• Oversee department's use of JIRA, including training and user support on an ad-hoc basis. Collaborate with other JIRA project managers, thinking strategically about how the department uses JIRA both for internal and external processes. Build reports of department's activities using JIRA metrics.

Imaging

• Train (including preparation of manuals) and assist staff with imaging processes including standard photography, mulitspectral imaging, infrared reflectography, ultraviolet photography, reflectance transformation imaging, and X-radiography. Perform these processes on behalf of staff as requested.
• Manage digital imaging, including exporting, and archiving digital assets.
• Maintain imaging equipment in coordination with external vendors, IS&T, and Imaging Department as approriate.
• Remain abreast of and integrate developments in the field and imaging protocols as they develop in the Museum.

Office technology

• Purchase and oversee maintenance of departmental computer equipment and software with cross-functional understanding of department's needs.
• Take leading role in strategizing about the department's use of technology.
• Act as department's primary liaison with IS&T.

General

• Research and train conservators in new digital tools as necessary.
• Supervise volunteer(s) as needed.
• Serve as backup for departmental administrative responsibilities including timekeeping, purchasing, telephone operating, etc.
• Broaden knowledge of relevant fields by taking advantage of the Museum's expertise and resources, and the Museum's opportunities for professional development.
• Participate in departmental fundraising activities.
• Other related duties.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, sincerely held religious belief, or pregnancy, or because you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses).

Experience and Skills:

• At least two years of relevant post-graduate work experience required
• Experience working in a museum preferred
• Familiarity with conservation preferred
• Training in technical imaging including standard photography, mulitspectral imaging, infrared reflectography, ultraviolet photography, reflectance transformation imaging, and X-radiography, preferred
• Demonstrable technology skills, including extensive experience with databases, project-tracking software, scanning, management of metadata, and sharing and archiving of digital image assets
• Knowledge of existing and emerging best practices for imaging and documentation required
• Fluency with relevant technologies, hardware, and software required
• Excellent time management including the ability to manage competing projects and meet deadlines required
• Strict attention to detail and accuracy required
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team required

Knowledge and Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Master's Degree in related field preferred

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.