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Museum Technicians and Conservators - 25-4013.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Art Preparator
  • Conservation Technician
  • Conservator
  • Exhibit Technician
  • Museum Registrar
  • Museum Technician
  • Objects Conservator
  • Paintings Conservator
  • Paper Conservator
  • Preparator

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Build, repair, and install wooden steps, scaffolds, and walkways to gain access to or permit improved view of exhibited equipment.
  • Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
  • Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
  • Construct skeletal mounts of fossils, replicas of archaeological artifacts, or duplicate specimens, using a variety of materials and hand tools.
  • Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials.
  • Cut and weld metal sections in reconstruction or renovation of exterior structural sections and accessories of exhibits.
  • Deliver artwork on courier trips.
  • Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
  • Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects.
  • Enter information about museum collections into computer databases.
  • Estimate cost of restoration work.
  • Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
  • Lead tours and teach educational courses to students and the general public.
  • Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
  • Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.
  • Perform tests and examinations to establish storage and conservation requirements, policies, and procedures.
  • Photograph objects for documentation.
  • Plan and conduct research to develop and improve methods of restoring and preserving specimens.
  • Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
  • Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used.
  • Preserve or direct preservation of objects, using plaster, resin, sealants, hardeners, and shellac.
  • Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff.
  • Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
  • Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
  • Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method.
  • Supervise and work with volunteers.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.
  • Classify materials according to standard systems.
  • Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.
  • Develop policies or procedures for archives, museums or libraries.
  • Direct activities of subordinates.
  • Direct department activities.
  • Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
  • Enter information into databases or software programs.
  • Evaluate characteristics of archival or historical objects.
  • Inspect materials or equipment to determine need for repair or replacement.
  • Maintain operational records.
  • Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
  • Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Research topics in area of expertise.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Historian (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Historian (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Historian Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historical Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Armorer Technician
  • Art Conservator
  • Conservation Technician
  • Conservator, Artifacts
  • Document Restorer
  • Fine Arts Packer
  • Museum Technician
  • Repairer, Art Objects
  • Research Assistant I
  • Restorer, Ceramic
  • Restorer, Lace and Textiles
  • Restorer, Paper-and-Prints
  • Transportation-Equipment-Maintenance Worker