JOB TITLE: MUSEUM PREPARATOR 1, PHMC

JOB CODE: 26710

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Museum Preparator job series describes work in the presentation and physical care of museum artifacts and collections for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).

DEFINITION: This is technical work in the restoration, preparation, reproduction, construction, installation, and maintenance of museum artifacts and exhibits for fine art, natural science, and history collections.

An employee in this job performs technical work in applying carpentry, painting and refinishing, metal-working, and other trade methods to preserve, construct, present, and maintain museum exhibits, artifacts, period reconstructions, and other display components. Work involves operating power tools, hand tools, and machines of the carpentry, metalworking, and painting trades; mixing paints and other materials; and cleaning objects, tools, and machinery. Work also includes packing, transporting, unpacking, storing, and setting up museum exhibits and displays. Work is performed with considerable independence in accordance with well-established procedures and defined plans. Work is assigned by professional staff and reviewed for adherence to standards and specifications during and upon completion.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Restores, preserves, designs, constructs, assembles, and maintains museum artifacts, period architectural reconstructions, decorations, and other museum and exhibit components.

• Operates, maintains, and assists in the repair of machines and tools used in carpentry, painting, finishing, model building, metalworking, and other similar trades.

• Reproduces and restores antique wood or iron work.

• Participates in the design, construction, and assembly of museum exhibits.

• Mixes paints and compounds, strips finish, glues and reglues, repairs veneer, and refinishes and repaints artifacts and exhibit components.

• Utilizes industry techniques to display and maintain natural science exhibits and museum dioramas.

• Packs, unpacks, transports, stores, and sets up museum artifacts, exhibits, and displays.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to safely utilize tools, equipment, and materials of multiple skilled trades.

• Knowledge of the physical properties and characteristics of woods, metals, plastics, glass, ceramics, stains, and other materials used to restore, preserve, construct, or fabricate artifacts and exhibit components.

• Knowledge of museum industry techniques in maintaining natural science exhibits and museum dioramas.

• Skill in machining, carving, cutting, and finishing techniques used to restore, construct, and install museum artifacts, exhibits, and exhibit components.

• Ability to interpret historical information concerning the original characteristics of museum artifacts.

• Ability to adapt materials, machines, tools, and other equipment for use in solving problems.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Four years of experience in the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of museum displays of which two years is required to be at the skilled level;

or

• Two years of skilled work experience in the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of museum displays and an associate degree in archeology, art, history, museum studies or a related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.