Preventive Conservator, Office of the Associate Director for Collections

Our Mission

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust.  The Museum operates two sites, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photography to the present day (including non-European works).  The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.

The Opportunity

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks an experienced professional for the new position of Preventive Conservator at the Getty Center and Getty Villa locations. Reporting to the Associate Director for Collections, the conservator will lead a preventive conservation program that includes comprehensive environmental monitoring, pest management, cleaning procedures, materials testing and emergency preparedness planning. The position will coordinate preventive measures across the two museum campuses, ensuring consistent best practices and approaches that support collections care in alignment with the Museum’s sustainability goals. The Preventive Conservator will actively collaborate with the Museum’s four conservation departments, affiliated Museum departments (e.g., curatorial, registration, exhibitions, design, and preparations) and other Trust programs, including the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, and Trust Sustainability. In addition to their general collections care duties, the preventive conservator will keep active in the field, staying abreast of and conducting research into state of the art approaches to preventive conservation including new materials, methodologies, and standards.

• Oversees and revises the preventive care policies and procedures in collaboration with the Museum’s conservation departments
• Keeps up to date on recommendations for museum environments (e.g., Bizot Green Protocol) and conducts and directs research to develop knowledge and improve practices
• Advises colleagues and stakeholders on preventive conservation, collections care, and risk management matters
• Liaises with key Getty partners, including the Getty Conservation Institute and Trust Chief Sustainability Officer
• Coordinates environmental monitoring including re-evaluating and implementing procedures for temperature, humidity, pollutant, and light exposure throughout the galleries, labs, and storage areas
• Acts as point person for the Museum’s Integrated Pest Management program, including pest treatments for vulnerable and affected objects
• Organizes storage and gallery cleaning with associated departments
• Assists in coordination of collections emergency preparedness plan
• Supports efforts in sustainable practices and conducts technical research relevant to the Museum environment
• Oversees the Museum’s materials testing program
• Facilitates the management of art storage areas and advises on the creation of new art storage needs and policies
• Participates in collections surveys providing preventive conservation recommendations for prioritizing storage needs
• Advises on outgoing loans, including recommendations for environmental conditions and transit
• Recruits, mentors and trains fellows and interns in preventive conservation
• Liaises with external contractors on preventive conservation projects

• MA in conservation or equivalent degree
• 7-10 years conservation or equivalent experience
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for Getty, without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

• Experience working with fellows and interns
• Demonstrated experience with project management and multitasking
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate across departments
• Experience with testing techniques such as ODDY and PAT
• Experience with climate monitoring software and hardware, data processing, and data visualization
• Experience with TMS and building management systems
• Experience with microclimate systems for cases and framed works of art
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office

Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan – with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational Assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
• On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.