Cranbrook Educational Community Position Description Title: Department: Reports To: FLSA Status: Prepared By: Prepared Date: Assistant Preparator Art Museum Preparator Non-Exempt Roberta Frey Gilboe 10/8/10 SUMMARY: Responsible for assisting the Art Museum’s Registrar and Preparator in the move of the Art Museum’s collections from the storage facility located in the historic building to a new collections storage facility located in the new wing of the building. This is a 12-week position, working hours scheduled between November 8, 2010 and February 18, 2011. The Assistant Preparator must be able to work flexible hours. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Assists in the preparation and packing of objects for move from old storage facility. Assists with the handwritten tracking forms and works under the direction of the Registrar to update the Museum’s computerized database. Assists with the physical move of the object from the old location to the new location. Assists with the unpacking and placement of objects in the new storage facility. Assists with all tasks related to the move as assigned by the Registrar and Preparator. Maintains attendance, punctuality, and performance standards set forth in Cranbrook’s employee handbook. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Knowledgeable in art handling techniques. Knowledgeable in the care, preservation, and exhibition practices for various types of objects including bronze, ceramic and wooden sculptures, paintings, works on paper and textiles. Interest in contemporary art is helpful. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Assistant Preparator must be able to communicate in English both orally and in writing. Will regularly deal with Preparator, as well as Registrar, other museum staff members and work-study students. INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT/PROBLEM SOLVING: Requires knowledge of art handling techniques as well as the care, preservation, and exhibition practices for art objects. Problems faced by the Assistant Preparator are often unexpected and not always routine, but it is expected that the Assistant Preparator would turn to the Preparator or the Registrar for solutions to problems that arise. WORK COMPLEXITY: Work is varied and usually performed under deadline pressure. Assistant Preparator must be flexible and able to adapt to changing schedules and new tasks as assigned. Organizes and performs work according to the needs of each exhibition and the requirements for the care of individual art museum and loaned objects. CREATIVITY/INNOVATION: Creativity is required of the Preparator in adapting standard installation approaches and the Assistant Preparator is expected to contribute ideas toward and understand creative solutions to problems. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, such as the ability to see, hear, speak and understand English. Ability to lift and move objects up to 70 pounds, climb ladders, and operate power equipment. Clear vision, with or without corrective lenses is required. Ability to identify and distinguish colors. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Exposure to fumes from paint, stains, glue, and solvents. These hazards can be safeguarded through proper training and equipment.