Museum Technician

Job DetailsJob Location: Norton Museum of Art - West Palm Beach, FL 33401Position Type: Full TimeAbout the Norton Museum of Art:

Founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife Elizabeth Calhoun Norton, the Norton Museum of Art is Florida’s largest art museum, renowned for its distinguished collection. The Norton Museum of Art welcomes visitors to experience the transformative power of art through intimate and creative encounters with wide-ranging collections and programs of the highest quality. With holdings spanning Contemporary, Early European, Modern, and Asian Art, as well as Photography, the Norton serves as a cherished institution within its community.

Our Commitments

To uphold our mission and ensure the Norton’s relevance to our community, we are dedicated to the following principles:

Art: We celebrate and share excellence in the arts in all its forms.
Audience: We cultivate meaningful dialogues and relationships with a diverse and inclusive audience.
Ambassadors: Our employees, Trustees, volunteers, and partners are the vital links connecting Art and Audience.
Foundations: We are committed to preserving the Norton’s fiscal and physical legacy for future generations.

Job Purpose

The Museum Technician reports to the Director of Exhibition Design & Installation. This crucial position is a core member of a four-person Installation team, collaborating closely with Curators, Registrars, and supportive staff. The role centers on the physical realization and maintenance of all exhibitions and collection galleries, requiring a proficient and balanced skill set.

The successful candidate has proven hands-on experience in fine art handling practices, installation, and rigging across diverse media. The Museum Technician is responsible for the safe movement, packing, and crating of the permanent collection objects and temporary exhibition loans with adherence to professional museum standards and best practices in all aspects of collections care and display.

Equally important is an advanced competency in precision fabrication and millwork, including the interpretation of technical drawings and the construction of custom, museum-grade exhibition furniture such as platforms, pedestals, and display cases, among others

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Art Handling & Exhibition Specialist

Works collaboratively and cooperatively with the Installation Team, Curators, museum staff, vendors and visiting artists to successfully execute the exhibition of artwork within the museum.
Executes the safe installation, de-installation, and movement of all works of art for exhibitions and the Museum's collection galleries. This requires expert, hands-on knowledge in handling diverse fine art mediums, including painting, sculpture, works on paper, and new media, among others, while strictly adhering to best museum practices.
Assists in the packing and crating, unpacking, and receiving of artwork in accordance with professional museum standards. This includes the loading and unloading of trucks to ensure safe transit.
Expertly troubleshoots and implements real-time solutions to complex logistical and display challenges, often requiring on-the-spot design or fabrication modifications to meet exhibition needs.
Performs regular maintenance of galleries including cleaning of display cases and upkeep of the general appearance.
Supports Museum and Lighting Technician with lighting the galleries.

Millwork & Preparation

Proven experience in the construction of diverse exhibition furniture, including modular gallery walls, custom pedestals, risers, plinths, and vitrine casework.
Works closely with the Installation Team to support the design of permanent collection rotations and special exhibitions including the development of mockups for display concepts and working out fabrication details.
Demonstrated knowledge of the fabrication process for museum displays which includes measuring, cutting, and assembling using professional woodworking machinery (e.g., table saws, panel saws, jointers, routers, etc.) and handcraft.
Experience in working with standard and specialized materials such as hardwoods, various grades of plywood and MDF, laminates, acrylics, and metals.
Proficiency in high-quality finish work, including painting, filling, sanding, and applying specialized coatings or veneers to meet both aesthetic design goals and strict archival standards.
Ability to accurately read and interpret architectural drawings, technical plans, and shop drawings for exhibition components.
Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe workshop environment, including the routine maintenance and calibration of tools and equipment.
Patching and painting gallery walls to prepare for exhibitions.

Qualifications

Education: BA or BFA in art-related fields, or a closely related discipline is preferred.
Integrated Experience (Minimum 5 Years): A minimum of five years of full-time, professional experience in an art museum, gallery, or similar institutional setting. This experience must demonstrate a combined proficiency in two core areas: 1.) Expert Art Handling & Installation and 2.) Precision Fabrication & Millwork
Adaptability: Must be available and willing to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, early mornings, and weekends, to align with critical installation schedules and the exhibition calendar

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift a minimum of 65 lbs. unassisted and frequently lift and/or move up to 400 lbs. with assistance of mechanical equipment.
Physically capable of climbing ladders, using shop equipment and lifts.

Hours & Compensation

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Location Requirements

At the time of employment, employees are expected to be located within reasonable commuting distance of the museum. Commuting Distance means they are located in South Florida, and able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Museum Location: 1450 South Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

Benefits Offerings

The museum provides competitive compensation and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits may differ based on employment status.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Worksite plans & Additional Life Insurance
Basic Life Insurance and AD&D, employer paid
Short-term Disability Insurance, employer paid
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
401(k) retirement plan and 2% employer match
Considerable paid time off, plus 4 additional discretionary days, and 9 recognized holidays
Flex Work options; hybrid & flexible schedule after an employee’s 90-day probationary period. NOTE: FlexWork is not suitable for all positions.
20% discount for staff in the Museum store
10% discount at The Restaurant
Membership to the ROAM Museum network

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Norton Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Norton Museum of Art makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
Qualifications