Associate Manager of Technical Documentation, Textile Conservation

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity. 

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve. 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Textile Conservation is responsible for preservation, conservation, technical study, and research of the Museum’s collection of approximately 36,000 textiles in twelve curatorial departments. The encyclopedic collection represents a broad range of textiles, including tapestries, carpets, embroideries, costumes, and three-dimensional accessories of all periods and cultures. 

The Department sets guidelines for care, handling, display, and storage of the textiles and has played a vital role in the Met’s initiative to create a dedicated facility for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with a purpose-built freezer and pre-and post-treatment areas.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Under the supervision of the Conservator in Charge, the Associate Manager for Technical Documentation will be responsible for managing digital documentation acquired by various imaging techniques within the Department of Textile Conservation. This key support role will increase efficiency and consistency in the creation, processing, and management of technical documentation.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Provide technical support in the examination of textiles during the course of treatment and research, by assisting with photography, X-radiography, multiband imaging, including capture, processing, editing, scanning, printing, exporting and archiving
• Manage conservation documentation, including archiving digital assets, metadata maintenance, and implementation of established file naming protocols
• Develop and implement guidelines and protocols to better standardize and streamline technical documentation in line with the conservation profession and museum’s policies and procedures
• Work with TMS, NetX and Conservation Studio teams to support departmental projects and conservation documentation and provide training when necessary
• Prepare imaging equipment procedure manuals, train staff and support their application of standards
• Maintain and plan upgrade of imaging equipment in coordination with external vendors, Technology, and Imaging Department as appropriate
• Serve as the Computer Liaison Group representative; Oversee maintenance of departmental computer equipment and software with cross-functional understanding of department’s needs; provide troubleshooting support for the department as needed
• Liaise with other departments and teams as required including curatorial, conservation, Scientific Research, Education, Publications and Editorial, Imaging, Digital, Technology, Retail & Merchandising
• Take leading role in strategizing about the department’s use of technology, research new tools and contribute to the creative processes in the development of imaging standards
• Keep informed about the latest developments and technologies in the field
• Broaden knowledge of developments and relevant fields, taking advantage of the Museum’s expertise and resources, and the Museum's opportunities for professional development
• Other related duties

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Photography, Image Science, or relevant experience (preferred)
• Five years of relevant post-graduate work experience
• Demonstrable technology skills, including extensive experience with databases, project-tracking software, digitizing, management of metadata, and sharing and archiving of digital assets
• Knowledge of existing and emerging best practices for imaging and documentation
• Fluency with relevant hardware, and software technologies including imaging programs, e.g., Photoshop and Lightroom
• Time management skills and the ability to manage competing projects and meet deadlines
• Strict attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge related to conservation materials (preferred)
• Experience in creating or working with digital art (preferred)

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00 / Annually
• The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact [email protected].  

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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