Art Technician

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

How You Will Contribute

The Art Technician focuses on art handling logistics and safe transit of artwork between museum facilities and various locations throughout the greater Philadelphia region, including nearby metropolitan cities. This position also assists with maintaining the museum’s off-site storage facility for art and related materials as needed.

As a team member of the Registrars’ office, the Art Technicians work cooperatively with one another and collaborate directly with staff in Installations and Packing, Curatorial, and Conservation on an ongoing basis to ensure the safe transportation of art objects, proper documentation, and the care of the museum’s collection in accordance with museum best practices.

Specifically, you will:

• Drive museum vehicles to pack and transport artwork; load and offload artwork, pickup and deliver a wide variety of works of art (all media) from various sites including homes and businesses
• Understand the principles of art care and basic knowledge of professional museum principles, practices, and procedures related to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of objects.
• Handle and pack art carefully during pick-up and delivery
• Communicate timely information concerning pickups and deliveries to Registrar
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Your background and experience include:

• Experience in and understanding of current fine arts packing principals to fabricate packages and other devices used to safely ship artwork.
• Clean driving record and experience with box trucks.
• Uncompromising discretion, professionalism and work ethic.
• Experience with art handling.
• Current valid drivers’ license and good driving record. Must possess or be able to obtain a DOT Medical Card.
• Ability to drive Sprinter Van. Truck driving experience (20’ box truck) preferred.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Woodworking skills and use of various shop equipment including table, radial arm and band saw a plus.
• Must be able to use (or be trained to use) forklift and other equipment necessary to access works of art.
• Motivated, responsible, and dependable.
• Preferable but not required; Collections Management database experience, preferably TMS.

Position and Compensation Details

• The HOURLY RATE for this position is $19.78.
• This position is FULL-TIME, NON-EXEMPT, and 35 hours per week.
• This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
• This position reports to the Director of Registration
• Physical requirements: Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees* including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.