Conservator

Full-time, Ongoing, APS 5 position
- $80,341 - $87,572 p.a. plus 15.4% superannuation
- Australia’s leading museum located waterside in beautiful Darling Harbour

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced and organised Conservator with an eye for detail to join our Conservation team in this full-time, ongoing APS Level 5 position.

As one of Sydney’s most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future.

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at sea.museum.

Under the general direction of the Manager, Conservation and Senior Conservators undertake and document routine and complex conservation treatments for a wide range of object materials and formats in the National Maritime Collection ensuring its ongoing preservation in in accordance with museum policies, priorities, conservation ethics and best practice.
- Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is ongoing, a merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18 months._

**Key Accountabilities**
Under limited direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:

- Working under general direction undertake and document preservation, conservation and restoration treatments using established and new conservation techniques to museum and professional standards.
- Participate in wider inter-disciplinary museum teams and contribute conservation expertise to project and program management, such as the production and development of exhibitions, inward and outward loans, storage design etc.
- Participate and assist with preventive conservation and collection maintenance programmes including environmental monitoring and control, integrated pest management, lighting, pollutant monitoring, collection safety activities.
- Undertake collection surveys including condition and conservation needs assessment, as well as identification and management of hazards in the NMC, help to ensure museum’s compliance with relevant regulations and WHS legislation.
- Participate in risk assessment and management for museum projects and in object treatment option proposals.
- Identify risk factors, propose, and implement risk mitigation. Actively participate in maintaining WHS processes especially the development of safe work method statements etc.
- Assist and participation in the development and delivery of workshops, public forums and outreach programs and social media engagement related to conservation. Preparation and delivery of training, seminars, talks and tours as needed, representing the museum at internal and external functions, events and conferences. Participate in the management of interns and volunteers when required.
- Work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the conservation team. Assist and contribute to the development, maintenance and documentation of conservation procedures, policy, and meeting of strategic objectives.
- Maintain material and stock inventory, ordering as authorised. Assist in disposal of chemical and hazardous materials, servicing of laboratory tools and equipment, and help maintain lab and stores in clean and safe condition.

**Selection Criteria**
- Demonstrated knowledge of current conservation practice. Experience in both routine and complex materials conservation, conservation techniques and related scientific processes with a focus on an area of specialisation relevant to the National Maritime Collection.
- Demonstrated organisational skills with initiative and good work management skills, including self-discipline, motivation and the ability to prioritise, manage time to complete tasks and meet deadlines. Well-developed capacity for problem solving.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the capacity to work collaboratively in and lead small teams. Proven ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders, prepare and deliver talks and presentations.
- Experience working in cultural institutions undertaking preventive and remedial conservation of different collection and material types.

**Qualifications and/or relevant experience required**
**Mandatory**:

- Recognised tertiary qualifications in mate