Senior Museum Technician for Works on Paper at undefined

Under the direction of the Director of Preparation and Installation, the Senior Museum Technician manages all aspects of exhibition and permanent collection gallery installation. This includes the management of an art installation crew, the packing and unpacking of all art objects, installation of all objects from 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional objects, rigging of sculpture, proper movement of crate handling for loading and off-loading trucks, transport of items between museums and from lending individuals and institutions. The Senior Museum Technician is responsible for staying up to date on installation materials, techniques, protocols, and best practices. The position is a leadership role and is responsible for the training and supervision of art handlers/museum technicians in an exhibition or installation setting. The nature of this work requires manual dexterity and close care in the handling of valuable art objects. The application deadline is Friday, December 5, 2025, at 9 PM PST. 

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

1.  Serves in a leadership capacity in the installation, deinstallation, removal, and demolition of exhibitions and other projects.
   
   

2. Liaise and serve as a thought partner on installation planning and execution between Design, Curatorial, Registration, and Conservation Departments.
   
   

3.  Prepares cost and material estimates for new installation and construction jobs; Prepares Purchase Orders for supplies and equipment associated with art handling and installation.
   
   

4. Assists Senior Lighting Technician with exhibition/gallery lighting when needed.
   
   

5. Manages the preparation, hanging, mounting, and installation of art objects for exhibitions and permanent collections.
   
   

6. Performs best practices for loading and off-loading of Art Crates for exhibitions and permanent collection, including the safe operation of fork trucks.
   
   

7. Maintains the shop on a regular basis. Notifies supervisor if maintenance or supplies are needed.
   
   

8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires completion of high school/GED, supplemented by 4 years of progressively responsible experience in the preparation, installation of exhibit displays; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Must have a valid California Driver's License, be able to drive a truck, lift 75 pounds, and stand for long periods of time. 

Skills and Abilities:

•  Requires good knowledge of the tools, practices, and methods used in painting; rough and finish carpentry, as well as fabrics, plastics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives. 

• Requires the ability to work from sketches and drawings and follow oral instructions about the construction and installation of museum exhibits. 

• Requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Curatorial, Conservation, and Registration staff; estimate costs and construct a wide variety of fixtures; handle delicate and valuable works of art with extreme ease; and direct and work with Museum Technician crews. 

• Requires considerable skill in the use and care of hand and power tools and in the use and application of various materials.

Additional:

Schedule: This position works onsite at the Legion of Honor. The workweek is Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week, with the understanding that schedules may change based on operational needs.

This is a union position eligible for the Museums' benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance and a generous time off package. 

There is a 7-step union pay scale for this position: Step 1 (starting rate) is $35.13 per hour, Step 7 (max rate) is $47.08. Generally, new employees start at the beginning of the pay scale.

Application Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 9 PM PST. 

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources @ famsf.org

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COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, we are the largest public arts institution in the City of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in the United States. The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. The Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient and European art including Auguste Rodin's The Thinker and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.