This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in preserving and presenting Australia’s maritime heritage.
As the Senior Conservator Exhibitions, you will lead conservation outcomes for major exhibitions, incoming loans and collection projects, helping ensure nationally significant collection material is preserved, accessible and ready to be shared with audiences.
Working across exhibition, curatorial and collection teams, you will provide expert conservation advice and influence how collection objects are cared for, interpreted and displayed. You will lead complex conservation projects and treatments, applying contemporary conservation practices, ethics and professional standards to a diverse range of cultural heritage materials.
You will manage competing priorities across multiple projects, balancing preservation, access and exhibition requirements while delivering high-quality outcomes within agreed timeframes. Sound professional judgement, strong planning skills and the ability to build productive relationships will be central to your success.
As a senior member of the team, you will prepare conservation documentation, reports and professional advice that support informed decision-making. You will also work closely with staff, volunteers and stakeholders, sharing your expertise, providing guidance and contributing to the ongoing development of conservation practice across the Museum.
This is a unique opportunity to work with nationally significant collections, contribute to major exhibitions and help ensure Australia’s maritime stories remain accessible for generations to come.
Please note: This recruitment process may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. A merit pool of suitable applicants may be established and used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that arise within 18 months from the date the vacancy is advertised.
About You
You are an experienced conservation professional with:
- Strong expertise in the conservation of cultural heritage collections, exhibitions and loans
- Extensive knowledge of contemporary conservation practice, ethics and professional standards, including those of the AICCM
- Proven project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes within deadlines
- Experience preparing conservation documentation, reports and professional communications
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships and work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
Mandatory Qualifications
To be eligible, you must have:
- A recognised tertiary qualification in Materials Conservation and substantial experience in cultural heritage conservation, including at least five years’ relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and experience
- Current membership of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM)
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999.
How to apply
To apply, please click the link below to complete the pre-screening questions. You will also need to upload:
- a cover letter addressing each of the Selection Criteria with a maximum of 400 words per criterion; and
- your current resumé.
In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.
Applications Close: 12:00pm AEST, Sunday, 20 September 2026. No Applications will be accepted by mail or email.