careers at preservation arts

 

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Associate or Senior Sculpture Conservator

REPORTS TO: President

CLASSIFICATION:       Full-time hourly with benefits

COMPENSATION:       Associate: $80-100K/Senior $100-$125k

DATE POSTED:        August 12, 2025

Summary: Preservation Arts seeks an experienced full-time Sculpture Conservator to join our objects and outdoor sculpture departments. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team environment. Responsibilities will include leading and supervising the outdoor sculpture team, participating in project planning, conducting treatments in the studio, developing condition assessments, creating proposals, and researching materials and artists.

Responsibilities: 

  • Perform a range of treatments of objects and outdoor sculpture for private, institutional, and public clients to the highest level of quality, and to AIC ethical guidelines.

  • Compose detailed, high level written documentation and photography following the Preservation Arts protocols and standards. 

  • Undertake sculpture assessments and condition reports, develop treatment methodologies for complex artworks and condition issues, and research approaches. Make recommendations for maintenance, exhibition and display.

  • Successfully manage a team to complete outdoor projects on time, safely, and to the required quality standards. 

  • Display a high level of professionalism and communication with the team, junior staff and senior managers.

  • The ability to mentor and train junior staff. 

  • Liaise with Artist Studios and Foundations as needed to have proposed treatments approved.

  • Exhibit excellent hand skills and color matching. Experience with patina application, spraying of lacquers and working with industrial paint systems is an advantage. 

  • Demonstrate effective leadership, organizational, and time management skills. ​​

  • The ability to occasionally travel out of the Bay Area for onsite projects.

Requirements: 

  • A Master’s Degree in Conservation with a speciality in objects or sculpture.

  • A minimum of five years post-graduate museum or private practice experience is required for associate positions; senior level requires ten years.

  • Understanding of sculpture fabrication and materials, artists and art history.

  • Experience operating equipment, such as aerial platforms and other machinery.

  • The ability to safely perform physical tasks in indoor and outdoor settings, including some warm weather conditions. The ability to sit, stand, and kneel for prolonged periods, and to lift objects from 25-50 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for the associate position is $80,000-100,000 and $100,000-$125,000 for a senior position. Preservation Arts offers 100% healthcare coverage for employees & 50% dependents, 100% Dental coverage for employees, optional Vision, and a health and dependent care FSA. Employees are eligible to enroll in the company’s 401(k) plan after 6 months of employment with an automatic 3% company contribution and additional profit sharing and pension contributions. Employees are eligible for annual educational reimbursements for professional development.

Interested applicants should send a letter of intent, resume, and contact information for three professional references to jobs@preservation-arts.com