OPEN DATE: January 7, 2025           
CLOSING DATE: February 10, 2025              
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite    
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 
COMPENSATION: $139,395—$162,629 / year

For additional details as well as a link to the application, please visit the listing at the Smithsonian Trust Careers Portal.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing leadership and management by overseeing the department’s goals, articulating priorities, developing strategies, managing personnel, and evaluating performance.
• Developing annual staffing plans, including hiring and professional development initiatives.
• Overseeing the development, justification, presentation, allocation, and execution of the annual operating budget. Working with staff to develop budget projections that align with long-term planning for new and ongoing initiatives.
• Collaborating with museum leadership to formulate strategic plans, policies, priorities, and department objectives and deliverables that advance both short- and long-term museum goals. 
• Performing conservation treatments or scientific analyses of art or archaeological materials in adherence to professional ethical standards, including the AIC Code of Ethics, and consulting with curatorial staff as needed. 
• Conducting advanced technical or scientific studies that increases the body of knowledge, makes authoritative and original contributions to the field, and enhances the institution’s reputation.
• Serving as an expert in advancing the field through the development of international partnerships and presentation of expertise at conferences, and symposia; keeping abreast of professional and popular conservation literature and maintaining a strong professional network.
• Developing and overseeing conservation policies, procedures, and guidelines for aspects of department responsibilities, such as preventive conversation, integrated pest management, environmental monitoring, laboratory safety, handling, emergency management, and display of works of art and cultural heritage.
• Developing fundraising strategies and grant proposals in collaboration with the advancement office and engaging with donors to support the museum’s mission. 
• Overseeing outreach programs and contributing to museum programming.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of a formal advanced-level conservation training program or PhD in a related science or engineering field. 
• Eight or more years of experience in the field of conservation and scientific research of art and cultural heritage, with demonstrated expertise and knowledge of conservation and scientific principles, procedures, materials, techniques, analysis, and ethics. 
• Demonstrated skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team, including goal setting, planning, program implementation, metric establishment, reporting protocols, budgeting, and resource management.
• Demonstrated research skills and active engagement with current trends in the field.
• Ability to travel and represent the museum at conferences and other operationally significant meetings.