About Us

At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

The Huntington

Founded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.

The Culture

Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do – from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond.  Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies. 

At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.

• Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.

• Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.

• Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.

• Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.

• Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.

Job Description

About the Role

The Conservation Technician assists conservators in the physical care and preservation of Library and Art collections. This position reports to the Dibner Senior Book and Paper Conservator and works closely with Library and Art Division staff across the institution in a team-oriented environment where collaboration and shared ideas are the norm. S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.

Essential Duties

• Carries out minor to intermediate conservation treatment on collection materials under the supervision of conservators.

• Carries out a variety of collections care activities that could include; building custom housings, hinging and matting artworks, encapsulation, participating in rehousing projects, and assisting in conducting surveys.

• Participates in preparing materials for digitization.

• Assists in general upkeep of the conservation lab including researching and ordering materials, maintaining supply inventory, making stock solutions and adhesives for use, and working with lab staff on carrying out annual chemical inventory.

• May assist with creating and maintaining department records, including written and photographic documentation.

• Assists in collections emergency planning and response.

• Works with the IPM (integrated pest management) team on pest monitoring and prevention strategies.

• Participates in public outreach through participation in social media, tours, or presentations.

• May work with interns.

• Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements and Experience

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Aptitude for detailed hand work and superior manual dexterity.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively on complex tasks following instructions set by the Conservator.

• A working knowledge of accepted conservation standards, practices, and terminology.

• Experience working with common conservation materials, tools, and equipment.

• Ability to plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated computer and related technology skills.

Preferred:

• Two years of technician experience in a museum, gallery, library, or equivalent setting.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in a conservation laboratory and collections storage areas, with occasional work in galleries or other on-site locations.

• Position involves periods of standing or sitting, fine motor tasks, and sustained visual focus.

• Pay Range: $28.00- $30.00/hour. Commensurate on experience.

• Medical, Dental, Vision  

• 403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match 

• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays 

• Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants 

• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions 

• Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds