Preventive Conservator

Position Overview

The Worcester Art Museum is hiring a Preventive Conservator to help guide how the institution protects and maintains its collection over both the near and long term. This role works closely with Conservation, Collections Management, Curatorial, Facilities, and other museum teams to build a proactive, systems-based approach to collections care that balances preservation needs with day-to-day operations, responsible spending, and sustainability objectives.

The Museum’s building is historic, complex, and unconventional. Rather than treating those conditions as limitations, the ideal candidate will see them as a chance to solve problems creatively, test ideas, refine procedures, and improve systems steadily over time. The Preventive Conservator will help set shared expectations, strengthen cross-departmental relationships, and encourage collaborative thinking around risk, care, and long-term impact.

This role is centered on improving the systems that support collections care across the Museum. It includes oversight of environmental monitoring, coordination with Facilities and outside contractors on building conditions and priorities for HVAC and building management systems, and collaboration on emergency preparedness and integrated pest management. The position also supports exhibitions, loans, accessions, and storage planning by helping with condition assessments, housing and crating recommendations, transport guidance, and the development of environmental standards for works in storage, on display, and on loan.

Additional work includes coordinating collections maintenance, selecting suitable materials and methods for storage and exhibition, contributing conservation expertise to events and capital projects, and supporting training, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing across the organization. The role requires someone who can operate independently while remaining highly collaborative and comfortable working in a museum environment where needs can shift quickly.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Museum’s environmental monitoring activities and use the findings to support collections care decisions.
• Partner with Facilities staff and external contractors to review building conditions and help prioritize HVAC and building management system improvements.
• Work with Collections Management to update and implement collections emergency preparedness plans.
• Direct integrated pest management efforts across the institution.
• Support exhibitions, loans, accessions, and storage projects with condition reviews, surveys, and conservation recommendations.
• Advise on housing, crating, transport, and environmental requirements for objects in storage, on display, or on loan.
• Coordinate collections maintenance activities and help identify appropriate materials and methods for storage and exhibition.
• Contribute conservation expertise to Museum events and capital projects.
• Assist with training, mentorship, and internal knowledge-sharing related to collections care.
• Take part in outreach activities that communicate collections care to public audiences when needed.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in Conservation from a recognized training program, supported by professional experience focused on preventive conservation.
• Practical experience applying preventive conservation methods in a museum or similar institution, including areas such as environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, emergency planning, collections maintenance, or storage and housing planning.
• Ability to think in systems and manage collections care as gradual, long-term work influenced by environmental conditions, institutional limits, and changing professional standards.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to build trust, explain technical ideas to varied audiences, and influence practice across departments without formal authority.
• Good professional judgment and organization, with the ability to work independently while helping develop new programs, standards, and workflows.
• Capacity to balance preservation priorities with financial stewardship and sustainability considerations informed by preservation science.
• Occasional travel for courier duties, conferences, site visits, or other operationally important meetings.
• The role may be performed through a mix of on-site and remote work, as appropriate.
• Applicants must already be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• The employer cannot sponsor a visa or assume sponsorship already held by another employer.

Employment Details

This is a full-time, exempt role with a 37.5-hour workweek. The title may be adjusted to match the selected candidate’s experience level. The role reports to the Conservator in Charge and does not include direct supervisory responsibility. It sits within the Conservation department and the Curatorial division.

Compensation

The expected hiring range is $60,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. Comparable salary bands at the Museum are listed as follows: Assistant Conservator, $60,000 to $66,000; Associate Conservator, $66,000 to $72,000; and Full Conservator, $72,000 to $78,000 annually.

About the Museum

The Worcester Art Museum brings together people, communities, and cultures through art. Its exhibitions span a wide range of periods and geographies, from works created thousands of years ago to contemporary art. The collection includes nearly 40,000 objects and has been built since the Museum opened in 1898, giving visitors of all ages opportunities to connect with art, artists, and ideas. The Museum serves Central Massachusetts and beyond as an important cultural institution with strong local and international ties.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

The Worcester Art Museum is committed to building a diverse workplace where staff feel they belong and are valued for the perspectives they contribute. The Museum is an equal opportunity employer and supports diversity.