Job Description
Job Details
Description Information about the organization The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.
In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.
Information About The Role The David M. Rubenstein National Institute for Holocaust Documentation’s major responsibility is to collect, preserve, and make available the historical record of the Holocaust and to support with its stewardship of the Collection of Record the Museum's wide-ranging efforts in the areas of research, exhibition, publication, education, and memorialization.
The Conservation Services Branch is responsible for the preservation and conservation of the Museum's collections on exhibition, in storage or on loan to the institution, and makes recommendations and provides guidelines for the housing, handling, methods of storage, and laboratory treatment of the collection. It also provides environmental guidelines, recommendations, and monitoring to ensure a proper climate for the collection.
This position will be responsible for performing a wide range of conservation and preservation activities concerned with a broad variety of three-dimensional artifacts and sculpture within the Museum’s collections. The Objects Conservator also provides recommendations on fundamental conservation issues to staff at all levels throughout the Museum.
The position is located in the Shapell Center in
Bowie, MD . This is a full-time, donated (non-federal), paid with the Museum’s private funds. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Duties, And Responsibilities For The Role - Provides conservation and preservation for three-dimensional artifacts and works with the Chief Conservator to develop conservation guidelines, procedures and policies.
- Examines three-dimensional artifacts to determine condition, causes of damage or deterioration, and previous alterations, and develops and executes conservation treatments.
- Researches the history, materials and methods of manufacture of artifacts, and performs testing to evaluate their reaction to potential methods of treatment. When appropriate, develops new and unique treatment approaches.
- Trains Curatorial Affairs Division and Archival Affairs Division staff to increase understanding of and determine proper care for three-dimensional artifacts and keeps them informed of conservation developments and preservation policies affecting varied collections.
- Seeks modern scientific answers to problems connected with conservation and preservation of museum artifacts; participates in research and scientific analysis of materials proposed for use in treatment procedures, housings and mounts, and storage and exhibition of museum artifacts.
- Prepares written and photographic documentation about the physical attributes of artifacts, evidence of any previous treatment or damage, deterioration, and inherent weaknesses.
- Develops treatment protocols and prepares treatment reports, including technical and analytical data, materials, and procedures applied, and recommendations for continued preservation and care.
- Oversees the conservation and preservation of artworks in the Art in Public Spaces program. This includes researching and documenting the materials and methods used in the production of these works, preparing routine maintenance plans, and developing effective conservation treatment strategies.
- Trains other conservation staff and interns in conservation methods and techniques.
- Participates in Museum environmental monitoring and integrated pest management programs, equipment upkeep, and general maintenance of laboratory and object records.
- Serves on cross-office teams, projects, and initiatives to advance the Rubenstein Institute’s priorities and goals, as needed.
- Coordinates and communicates with colleagues and key stakeholders to share resources and integrate efforts across the Rubenstein Institute.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications For The Role - Master's degree in Conservation.
- A broad and expert knowledge of the principles, theories, methodologies, and techniques of conservation applicable to the analysis and treatment of three-dimensional objects, with expertise in at least two of the following: woods, metals, plastics, glass/ceramics, organic materials, and composite artifacts.
- At least 3 years of experience post-education in the conservation of objects in an institutional setting.
- Ability to determine the physical nature and condition of an object by using examination methods, instruments, and techniques such as: optical examination in visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light; microscopy; use of imaging equipment for visual documentation; and sampling for microchemical and instrumental analyses.
- A broad knowledge of materials science and technology, and organic and inorganic chemistry, and the ability to understand the interaction between materials of which artifacts are made and their environment, the causes of deterioration, and the effects of conservation and preservation methods upon the artifacts.
- A high level of technical expertise and ability to plan, initiate, and execute a variety of conservation and preservation treatments.
- A general knowledge of building systems and environmental controls and how they affect collections on exhibition and in storage.
- Proficiency in the written and visual documentation requirements of the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation.
- Manual dexterity in performing precise conservation treatment techniques, and the ability to perform tasks requiring extended periods of standing, recurring bending, stooping, reaching, or similar activities. Moderate physical strength may be required to lift museum artifacts safely and to handle equipment with care.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications For The Role - At least 5 years of experience post-education in the conservation of objects in an institutional setting.
- Familiarity with the history of 20th-century Europe, WWII, the Holocaust, and its legacy.
The application deadline for this position is December 1, 2025. Interested applicants must send their resume and cover letter; applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Benefits Highlights The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum values employee wellness, work-life balance and the diversity of what this means for individual employees in life and work. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package for benefits-eligible employees that includes generous paid leave benefits, health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, a health savings account with an employer contribution, 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match and contribution, group term and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, commuter subsidy, access to two employee assistance programs, as well as voluntary critical illness and accident insurance coverage, long-term care and pet insurance options. Our policies also support telework and other flexible schedule options based on the job, work and team collaboration requirements.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Work at office, Remote work, Flexible hours,