3524-Principal Museum Preparator
About The Position
Under general direction, the Principal Museum Preparator supervises and participates in the preparation, installation, movement, packing, lighting, and care of artwork and museum exhibitions. This position oversees complex exhibition projects and provides technical leadership to preparator staff and contractors while ensuring museum standards for safety, preservation, and presentation are maintained. The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is one of the world’s leading museums dedicated to Asian art and culture. Located in the Civic Center area of San Francisco, the museum houses a world-renowned collection spanning more than 6,000 years of history and serves as a vibrant center for art, education, and public engagement. The museum’s Preparation Department plays a critical role in exhibition production, gallery installations, art handling, lighting, mount making, packing, and the safe movement and care of artwork.
Requirements
- Current Provisional Employee in Class 3524 who has worked at least 2,080 hours in Class 3524.
- Possession of an Associate Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies or a related field.
- Substitution: Additional qualifying full time work experience (2000 hours equal one year) as described above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. One year of work experience equals thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in an art museum or cultural institution.
- Experience supervising preparator teams or leading complex exhibition installations.
- Experience with museum-quality art handling and packing procedures.
- Experience operating lifts, rigging systems, and specialized installation equipment.
- Knowledge of museum conservation handling standards and gallery lighting systems.
Responsibilities
- Supervising and coordinating the work of preparators, contractors, and support staff involved in exhibition installation and deinstallation activities.
- Planning and overseeing exhibition layouts, gallery preparation, object movement, mount installation, lighting adjustments, and casework.
- Participating in the handling, packing, crating, transportation, and installation of valuable and fragile artworks.
- Coordinating schedules, materials, tools, and staffing needs for exhibitions and gallery rotations.
- Interpreting installation plans, drawings, schematics, and exhibition designs.
- Ensuring compliance with museum handling standards, workplace safety practices, and preservation requirements.
- Operating specialized tools, lifts, rigging equipment, and other museum preparation equipment.
- Collaborating with curators, registrars, conservators, designers, facilities staff, and vendors to complete exhibition projects.
- Monitoring work quality and resolving technical installation issues.
- Assisting with fabrication, carpentry, mount making, painting, and lighting work associated with exhibitions and gallery preparation.
- Maintaining records, inventory, tools, and supplies related to museum preparation operations.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
Education Level
Associate degree
