Preventive Conservator

Position Overview

The Worcester Art Museum is hiring a Preventive Conservator to help lead how the institution protects and preserves its collection now and for the future. This role partners with Conservation, Collections Management, Curatorial, Facilities, and other museum teams to build a proactive, systems-oriented approach to collections care that balances preservation needs with day-to-day operations, budget responsibility, and sustainability goals.

The Museum’s building is historic, intricate, and somewhat unconventional. Rather than treating those conditions as barriers, this position is expected to use them as a chance to test ideas, improve processes, and strengthen systems over time. The Preventive Conservator will do this by building strong working relationships, setting shared standards, and helping colleagues across departments work together on risk reduction, collections care, and long-term planning.

Core Work

In this role, the Preventive Conservator will focus on improving the systems that support collections care across the Museum. That includes directing environmental monitoring, working with Facilities staff and outside contractors to interpret building conditions, and helping guide priorities related to HVAC and building management systems. In partnership with Collections Management, the position will also update and implement collections emergency preparedness planning and lead integrated pest management efforts.

The role also supports exhibitions, loans, accessions, and storage projects. Responsibilities may include participating in condition reviews or surveys, advising on housing, crating, and transportation, and working with colleagues to define and apply environmental standards for objects in storage, on display, and on loan. Organizing collections maintenance and selecting appropriate materials and methods for storage and exhibition are also key parts of the job.

The Preventive Conservator must be comfortable thinking both strategically and in the moment: building programs and standards that become more valuable over time while responding calmly to issues in a complex museum setting. The position contributes conservation expertise to events and capital projects, supports training and knowledge-sharing, and may take part in public outreach related to collections care. The work is largely independent, but it depends on close collaboration and shared accountability across the Museum.

Employment Details

• Full-time, exempt role
• 37.5 hours per week
• Department: Conservation
• Division: Curatorial
• Reports to: Conservator in Charge
• No direct supervisory responsibility
• Title may vary depending on experience

Eligibility

Applicants must already be authorized to work full time in the United States. The Museum is not able to provide visa sponsorship or transfer an existing sponsorship for this role.

Some travel is required for courier work, conferences, site visits, and operationally important meetings. The position may be performed through a mix of on-site and remote work, depending on business needs.

About the Museum

The Worcester Art Museum brings people, communities, and cultures together through art. Its exhibitions span a wide range of time periods and geographies, from ancient works to contemporary creations. The collection of nearly 40,000 objects has grown since the Museum opened in 1898 and supports visitor engagement with art, artists, and ideas. The Museum plays an important cultural role in Central Massachusetts and maintains connections to both the local community and the broader international art world.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

The Museum is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, and aims to foster a workplace where staff members feel a sense of belonging and are valued for the perspectives they contribute. It is also an equal opportunity employer that welcomes diversity.

Compensation

The expected hiring range for this position is $60,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Comparable conservation levels 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 per year.

Supervisory and Department Information

This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Department: Conservation

Division: Curatorial

Reports to: Conservator in Charge