Conservation Assistant

Description

Full-time, Nonexempt

Background

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. In addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Museum and Art Research Library reopened to the public in April 2025.

Workplace culture

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

The Frick Collection  provides equal  opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without  regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex,  age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information,  military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity  or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or  citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status,  unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence  or stalking victim status, caregiver status, or other characteristics  protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

Position Summary

The Conservation Assistant provides administrative and collection care support to the conservation department. The Conservation Assistant works closely with the conservators and art preparators to care for both the collection and historic interiors of the Frick mansion. The ideal candidate is an emerging professional with a commitment and interest to art preservation and a willingness to learn new skills to advance the goals of the department. 

Responsibilities

• Administration: manage object records, files, digital photographs, and conservation databases; prepare quarterly reports; edit department texts; assist with the logistics and planning for study days and workshops; process invoices and credit card receipts; assist in creating and managing department budget; maintain and organize department supplies.
• Environmental monitoring: working alongside the department conservator, participate in configuring and maintaining wireless dataloggers for galleries and storage; monitor and maintain microclimates for display cases ; prepare summaries for internal reports and lenders; generate and maintain graphing records.
• Collections care: assist with loan condition reports as needed, courier trips, art moves, gallery maintenance, and storage and rehousing projects 
• Research: provide research for conservator projects, primarily in areas of sculpture, furniture, frames, and decorative arts

Requirements

Professional Skills and Requirements

The education and/or experience requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. 

• Bachelor’s degree required; studies in Art, Art History, History, Preservation, or closely related field preferred
• Ability and experience in carefully handling artworks and historic objects 
• Proficiency with programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, TMS and Conservation Studio (Gallery Systems), FileMaker Pro, BOX, and experience with DSLR photography helpful 
• Knowledge of decorative arts and sculpture helpful
• Knowledge of conservation methods and ethics helpful 
• Intermediate reading comprehension of research language in areas related to the collection, such as French, German, or Italian, helpful
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work across museum departments, as well as with contractors and vendors 
• Good time management, well organized, with exceptional attention to detail to complete multiple tasks and projects

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles.

Ability to interact in-person with colleagues, vendors, and visitors. 

Use common office tools and machines (computer, phone). 

Ability to transport and operate equipment.

Ability to traverse and navigate throughout the offices, building(s) in and out-doors, galleries, different levels of the building and storage areas to complete tasks (includes climbing steps, ladders, and scaffolding; lifting objects and containers up to 40 lbs.)

Employment Status and Compensation

This role is a full-time nonexempt 35 hour/week role.

The base annual salary for this role is $58,500, with an hourly rate is $32.14/hour.  Hours worked over 35 hours in a work week are paid at an overtime rate of $48.21/hour

The institution engages vendors/contractors for large scale conservation and maintenance projects and art moves which may be scheduled outside of the regular business day. The Assistant may be called upon to work onsite outside of regular business hours to support these activities. This is considered an in-person role, aside from very occasional remote work when approved by the supervisor.

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Paid Holidays: Full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holidays, all federal holidays including Juneteenth, and Election Day and four floating holidays: two may be used in the first half of the calendar year, two may be used in the second half of the calendar year. 

 
Sick and Vacation time: Eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick and 12 vacation days their first year of employment. In subsequent years, eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick days and 25 vacation days/year. 

Paid Family leave: In addition to adhering to all federal family leave laws, we provide all eligible employees with paid bereavement and family leave.

Health, Dental and Vision insurance: all full-time employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in employer sponsored benefits plans. Employees contribute to the cost of health insurance based on income level and type of coverage selected. 

Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance: The Frick covers the entire cost of these benefits for all full-time employees. The life insurance benefit is up to three times the employee’s annual salary. 

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b) and a defined benefit pension plan. We also offer retiree health benefits for retirees and their eligible dependents.  
 

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets. 

Additional benefits include discounted Metro Cards/Transit Checks, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care and commuting costs.

Application Process

Apply here or send resume and cover letter to:     

Chief Conservator