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.
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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.