Assistant Conservator of Archaeological Materials chez Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The Assistant Conservator of Archaeological Materials is responsible for enhancing the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural assets by, in consultation with the specialist curator and Conservators of Archaeological Materials, examining artifacts from the Foundation’s collection; designing and proposing treatment protocols, and carrying out conservation treatments. The Assistant Conservator carries out condition assessments, treatments, and any exhibition and preservation objectives.

Main Duties:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Performs treatments on the Foundation’s various archaeological objects using recognized
conservation techniques in compliance with the Code of Ethics of the American Institute for
Conservation and in consultation with curatorial staff.
- Examines objects, prepares written treatment proposals, performs treatments, and prepares
treatment reports complete with photo-documentation.
- Confers with their supervisor, conservation staff, and curators on complex projects.
- Collaborates with other conservators to treat or advise on care of textile objects as needed.
- Conducts conservation assessments of the Foundation’s various archaeological collections.
- Establishes and documents preservation state and condition of archaeological objects as
requested; including those being considered for exhibition and loan.
- Assists in managing day-to-day operations of the archaeological conservation lab including
ordering supplies and materials, handling paperwork, inputting treatment information in the
collections database, and maintaining lab space and equipment.
- Assists in with training technicians, interns, and volunteers in the textile lab.
- Maintains awareness of state-of-the-art techniques in the conservation field.
- Carries out research and related analysis to support treatment projects, test new materials,
applications, or methodologies as other responsibilities allow.
- Fabricates storage systems, exhibition supports, and packs/moves objects as needed.
- Prepares and delivers public and professional lectures and demonstrations on conservation
theory and techniques. Publishes new research in book or article form as other
responsibilities allow. Contributes to and/or leads public tours. Contributes to social media
efforts.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education and Experience:

- Graduate degree in conservation or an equivalent combination of education, training and
experience.
- Two years of conservation experience from a recognized institution (Internships and
Fellowships will be considered.)
- Demonstrable history of proposed, completed, and documented treatments.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with recently excavated archaeological materials.
- Familiarity with workplace safety practices.
- Membership in a professional conservation organization.

Key Skills / Competencies:
- Detailed knowledge of archaeological artifacts and deterioration pathways.
- Highly developed hand skills.
- Detailed knowledge of conservation materials and experience in applying state-of-the-art
conservation methodologies.
- Knowledge of the environment and environmental/materials interactions.
- Scientific knowledge sufficient for undertaking in-depth examinations and analysis of
objects, performing treatments and following necessary literature and reports.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written and the ability to follow instructions
orally and in writing.
- Shares workspace respectfully with others, can work independently and with a team. Able to
plan and schedule time.

Typical Work Schedule:  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as
directed and approved by the supervisor.

***Must reside in or be ready to relocate to Virginia***