Assistant Conservator, Museum at FIT

Company Description:

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), part of the State University of New York and an internationally renowned college of art, design, business and technology with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, invites nominations and applications for an Assistant Conservator, Museum at FIT.

The Fashion Institute of Technology, a part of the State University of New York, has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology for nearly 70 years. With a curriculum that provides a singular blend of hands-on, practical experience, classroom study, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are relevant to today's rapidly changing industries. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers more than 45 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the global marketplace.

With close ties to industry, FIT draws faculty from the city's art, business, and design elite, and from the rich academic community of the region. The college continually seeks creative faculty members who are passionate about their field and demonstrate exceptional professional capability in the core competencies of instruction design, learning enrichment, globalism, and use of technology, as well as mastery of established and emerging industry practices.

Job Description:

The Assistant Conservator works closely under the supervision of the Museum's senior conservator and associate conservator to perform a range of duties on objects from the fashion collection of MFIT that include treating, storing, and installing objects for photography and exhibitions.

Essential Functions:

• Examine new acquisitions, objects and enter condition reports in the museum's collection management database, TMS.
• Recommend types of repairs, methods for conservation, and estimated timeline to complete the work.
• Perform all necessary repairs and stabilization pending approval.
• Properly store clothing and accessories objects in the permanent collections.
• Create custom, archival containers for fragile, three-dimensional or other unique objects.
• Assist with the installation of fashion exhibitions, preparation of objects for photography, and the presentation of fashion objects lent to other institutions for display.
• Assist in the safe transport of objects with other MFIT staff members.
• Act as a courier on behalf of the Museum both nationally and internationally as required.
• Assist with social media projects as they relate to the conservation department.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in conservation or museum studies and a minimum of one-year related experience in fashion conservation required.
• Must possess highly developed skills at examining objects and determining conservation plans for repair and stabilization.
• Significant experience with dressing contemporary and historic costumes and the handling of historic textiles, as well as familiarity with requirements associated with works on paper.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current methods of conservation, treatment and storage including but not limited to basic chemistry, pattern making (flat and draping), textile science, garment construction, sewing techniques, cleaning methods, and fiber analysis and weave structure.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Candidate must be able to work successfully in a strong team player environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work on numerous projects simultaneously with various staff members.
• Excellent attention to detail is required. Should be comfortable with working both independently and under supervision.
• Excellent organizational and computer skills required and a familiarity with and/or ability to learn the TMS museum collections management system.
• Ability to learn, adapt and keep current with the latest developments in fashion conservation practice.
   

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Read Comprehend- Constant; Perform Calculations- Frequent; Communicate Orally- Constant; Reason & Analyze- Constant; Write- Frequent

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The position is on campus, primarily in an office environment, classroom or theater.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit- Constant; Stand- Frequent; Bend- Occasional; Walk- Frequent; Climb- Occasional; Pull- Occasional; Push- Occasional; Lift<10- Occasional; Lift 10-20- N/A; Lift over 50- N/A; Reach- Occasional

Additional Information:

The UCE-FIT Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dictates the compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment. 
Starting Salary: $55,644 per year with step increments per Salary Schedule 91, after one year of service and annually thereafter.
(See Successor Agreement, page 7)

Full-Time Benefits
Employee Holiday and Work Schedule
Remote Pilot Program

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.
 

Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.

Successful completion of a background check is required for appointment to this position once an offer has been made.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered for the position, you must submit the following documents online:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Unofficial transcript 
• A list of three references with telephone numbers and email addresses

Returning Applicants- Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your completed application.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding his or her application status.

For more information about FIT, please visit FIT's website at: http://www.fitnyc.edu.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

EEO/ Affirmative Action Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. By providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability, the FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (except as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals.  Applications from minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged.  Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212.217.3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu.

The Fashion Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within the community.

Apply Online