About the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is located on the traditional homelands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. The Australian Museum acknowledges the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
The Australian Museum (AM) operates within the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, is the first museum in Australia and was founded in 1827. The AM provides access, engagement and scientific research to increase our understanding of natural history and culture, particularly of the Australasian region. The AM holds more than 21 million objects of biological, geological and cultural collections and develops programs, exhibitions and school and community education initiatives onsite, online and offsite.
The AM mission is: To ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change.
The AM vision is: To be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.
For more information, visit the website.
The AM supports a diverse workforce and promotes applications from First Nation and Torres Strait Islander people. People with disabilities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply; and where required, Australian Museum will implement reasonable adjustment consistent with industry standard.
Conservation – About us
The Collection Care and Conservation (CC&C) team is responsible for the ongoing preservation management of the Museum’s collections according to standards appropriate to Australian conditions and following legislative obligations in line with accepted National Standards. The team is responsible for ensuring the ongoing collection care, conservation, maintenance, storage, and protection of the Museum’s diverse collection. CC&C are a multi-disciplinary team specialising in natural science conservation, preventive conservation programs, conservation treatment, collection storage and logistics, exhibition standards, research, and outreach. Collection Care and Conservation develops policy outlining the high-level principles and guidelines to facilitate the optimal care of the Museum’s collections into the future.
About the role
Australian Museum Collection Care and Conservation are excited to offer the first Senior Conservator, Natural Sciences position in Australia. This role will provide senior oversight to routine conservation treatment programs and special projects across 11 natural science collections that comprise our Life and Geoscience collections.
The role will lead a team of Natural Science Conservators, manage conservation projects that improve collection storage systems, identify risks and hazards, devises work programs for staff, and oversee the preparation of natural science collection material for loans and exhibitions. The role communicates and consults with Collection Management on collection care priorities, and with other internal and external stakeholders, whilst disseminating information to the public on the care of natural science collections. Contributing to strategic planning, team priorities and motivation, policy and procedure development, and research initiatives will also be a key part of this role.
About you
As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate:
- Expert knowledge in the physical and chemical deterioration processes particular to wet and dry natural science collections.
- Expert knowledge of common hazards in natural science collections and mitigation strategies
- Understanding of WHS pertinent to natural science collections.
- High level experience in communications across project teams and stakeholders and preparing high quality documentation within a multidisciplinary organisation
- Experience in leading and motivating teams
Essential Requirements
- Tertiary qualification, specialist training and experience in the conservation of cultural materials from multi-disciplinary heritage collections or equivalent plus a minimum of 5 years conservation experience in their subject specialisation.
- Hold a current NSW driver license and
- Willing and able to travel between Australian Museum sites
- Knowledge and Experience
- Demonstrable experience in conservation project management
- Evidence of the design and implementation of major investigative projects with advanced treatment knowledge
- Knowledge of the principles of conservation ethics and ethical standards for conservation of scientific and cultural collections.
- Experience in materials conservation, conservation techniques, related scientific processes and the characteristics of materials and their deterioration processes.
- Knowledge and experience to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus Capabilities outlined in this Role Description.
The successful applicant will be subject to a national criminal records check.
For more information or to apply visit JobsNSW.
