06/01/1977 26710

MUSEUM PREPARATOR 1, SKILLED TRADES

DEFINITION: This is entry level specialized work in the application of a variety of skilled trades methods and techniques to the restoration, preparation, and maintenance of museum artifacts and exhibits.

An employee in this class performs work at the journeyman level in carpentry, cabinet-making painting and finishing, metal-working, electrical work, and other skilled and semi-skilled tasks in restoring, preserving, constructing, preparing, and maintaining museum exhibits, artifacts, period reconstructions and other exhibit components in the state museum and at field sites. Work involves operation, in the shop or at the work site, of power and hand tools and machines of the carpentry, metal-working, painting, and electrical trades. Work also involves performance of a variety of skilled and semi-skilled and semi-skilled tasks involved inexhibit and artifact preparation, restoration, reproduction, construction, and installation. Work includes mixing paints and other materials and cleaning objects, and may include manual labor tasks in packing, unpacking, storing, and setting up museum exhibits and displays. Work is performed with some independence, but in accordance with well-established procedures and defined plans. Work assignments are carefully chosen within limits of employee's skill attainments in the various trades, and are reviewed in detail by the chief of the exhibits section through observation of techniques and finished work for quality and authenticity.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs work at the journeyman level in applying skilled and semi-skilled trades methods and techniques to the restoration, preservation, design, construction, preparation, and maintenance of museum artifacts, period architectural reconstructions and decorations, and other museum exhibit and display components.

Performs tasks involving carpentry, cabinet-making, painting and finishing, model building, metal-working, electrical wiring, and similar skilled trades sand semi-skilled tasks requiring skilled use of machine and hand tools and materials of the respective trades.

Operates power saws, jointers, planners, spindle shapers, lathes, drill presses, drills, and similar wood-working and metal-working machines.

Performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks such as stripping, gluing and regluing, repairing veneer, refinishing of repainting,. reproducing or restoring antique wood or iron work, installing electric wiring and devices, silkscreening, restoring antique wood or iron work, installing electric wiring and devices, silkscreening, and installing mounting devices and artifacts in exhibits.

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

Mixes paints and compounds, prepares materials, cleans objects, tools, and machinery, and assists in repairing and maintaining tools and equipment.

May perform manual labor tasks such as pacing, storing, and unpacking museum artifacts, exhibits, and displays.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the capabilities, proper methods and techniques of operating and handling, and necessary safety precautions of tools, and materials of the carpentry, metal-working painting, electrical, and closely related trades.

Knowledge of the physical properties and characteristics of woods, by metals, plastics, glass, ceramics, paints, stains, and other materials and finishes utilized in the restoration, preservation, construction, or composition of museum artifacts, exhibits, and exhibit components.

Skill in the standard methods and techniques of machining, carving, cutting, finishing, and similar operations involving use of machines and tools to restore, construct, and install museum artifacts, exhibits, and exhibit components.

Ability to interpret and duplicate the methods, techniques, and tools originally employed in the production or restoration of artifact.

Ability to research and interpret information concerning the original characteristics of museum artifacts.

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

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Museum Preparator Trainee, Skilled Trades;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which would afford the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.