Preparator Supervisor - Oakland Museum of California

Overview

The Preparator Supervisor is responsible for the coordination and guidance of members of the preparator group. The incumbent provides mentorship, coaches to efficacy, and facilitates work amongst and between preparators and other staff. Along with all preparator staff, this position collaborates with the Exhibition and Collections staff on the preparation, fabrication, installation, de-installation, maintenance, transportation and storage activities related to temporary exhibitions, core gallery rotations, collections care and institutional projects. Serves as Lead Preparator for assigned projects. Supervises Associate Preparators and Technical Specialists. 

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. 

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, anti-racism and institutional relevancy for the future;
• Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement;
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives;
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement.
• All positions will have core functional responsibilities, cross functional team activation and learning and development as a core function of each role 

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Culture Setting

• Engage in a positive culture of mutual accountability both within the Preparation Team and with staff across the organization.
• Communicate widely and effectively to ensure all possible stakeholders are included in decision making, and to establish clear expectations. Collaborate with project/production teams. Provide and receive status updates, and thoroughly and effectively convey information to staff and fellow teammates.
• Maintain and share knowledge of safe practices and reinforce a culture of mutual accountability for safety. 

Exhibition Installations - Support and Problem Solve

• Advanced technical work in the areas of museum-related storage, transportation, preparation, installation, lighting, fabrication, and maintenance of assigned Museum exhibits, workshops, and collection areas
• Handling collections as required, planning and managing the handling, packaging, transportation, and display of art artifacts, and specimens
• Design, prototyping, fabrication and construction of exhibit enclosures, furniture, and media installations
• Preparation and care of facilities: exhibit walls, painting, lighting, tool set-up, installation and maintenance, wiring, cleaning of exhibits as needed
• Material procurement and storage, tool set-up and maintenance, art handling for mount making, installation/de-installation, load in and out of exhibit materials including traveling exhibitions
• Activities of vendors and contractors, sourcing new contacts as needed
• Public Interaction: demonstrate museum techniques to the public 

Collections - Support and Problem Solve

• Handling of art, artifacts and specimens for storage, transport, framing, and all installation activities, working to ensure the objects’ safety and preservation
• Coordination of collections research, examination, preventative maintenance, maintenance, treatment, repair
• Coordination of conservation and media rotations in conjunction with Collections, Curatorial, and Design
• Maintenance of collections environments, including lighting, climate, security, storage, pest control, and disaster mitigation and response  

Administration

• Mentor and facilitate the work of Preparators and technical staff;
• Attend project/production team meetings. Provide and receive status updates and convey information to staff. Adjust workflow and assignments to reflect project priorities
• Collaborate with project teams to develop budgets. Provide material estimates and perform component based pricing information
• Coordinate with and oversee work of outside fabricators, suppliers, and other independent contractors on exhibit and collection projects
• Participate in museum infrastructure and management of back of house locations, shops, receiving area, loading docks, loading-dock-storage, and preparation areas
• Set clear expectations, communicate clearly, provide coaching and support for staff; develop and monitor work plans and schedules
• Ensure appropriate OSHA and Safety regulations are met. Partner with the facilities team to develop and implement appropriate staff safety training opportunities. 

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

• Ability to deliver results, facilitate and influence others and problem solve beyond temporary solutions
• 4-6 years related experience
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate openly and productively with key stakeholders
• Ability to participate on cross-functional project teams and work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate museum policies/procedures as well as safety requirements of the workplace and ensure adherence
• Advanced knowledge of museum standards for environment, artifact handling, installation, packing, storage and display and ability to act as advisor to staff on proper museum preparation methods
• Advanced knowledge of methods and materials for fabricating museum exhibits
• Knowledge of exhibit design, electronics, and graphic production processes
• Ability to lead and manage exhibit fabrication, preparation, installation and de-installation procedures
• Advanced knowledge of gallery operations and maintenance
• Ability to read blueprints, drawings and design plans
• Ability to negotiate and monitor professional service contracts and purchasing agreements
• Skillful management of project priorities and timelines
• Knowledge of disaster mitigation and response, pest management, design and maintenance of earthquake mitigation systems and security barriers.
• Proficient knowledge of office computer systems, collections management systems, and technical reference materials
• English language proficiency in both spoken and written form 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The environment may include:

• Museum environment involves both indoor and outdoor working conditions
• Ability to travel between OMCA locations, and other travel as required by position responsibilities
• Engage with diverse visitor populations for extended periods of time in the galleries or throughout the campus
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires strenuous physical work including lifting, pushing and pulling
• Moderate to loud noise from production events, machinery, equipment or vehicles
• Work near moving mechanical parts
• Exposure to dirt, dust and fumes 

EEO STATEMENT 

The Oakland Museum of California is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability/disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We highly encourage our diverse community to apply for available employment, internship, fellowship and volunteer positions at the Museum, as we aim to ensure our staff reflects the diversity of our visitors and the surrounding community. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OMCA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. 

COMPENSATION: $81,200 - $81,200 annually