Museum Technician/Dedicated Driver

Position Focus :

Reporting to the Director of Collections, the Museum Technician works as a member of the team of fine art handlers and registrars supporting the work of conservators and curators at the Yale University Art Gallery.

Move, pack, unpack, and re-house works of art for display and / or storage. Conceive and implement art handling, storage, transportation and housing strategies with equal consideration for conservation, aesthetics, safety, and stability issues.

The Museum Technician / Dedicated Driver will primarily be working in support of a collections move project re-locating in excess of 18, objects from one off-site storage facility to newly-constructed facilities at Yale University’s West Campus.

The position will provide transportation between facilities, using the Art Gallery-owned two-axle truck. The project will require work in a fast-paced, detail-oriented, and deadline driven environment.

Technician must have the flexibility to work in multiple gallery locations in the greater New Haven area. Technician must participate in the required training to safely operate all art-handling and movement equipment.

Additional training may be required by Yale’s Fleet Management to certify that the candidate fulfills all health, safety, and competency requirements to operate Gallery equipment.

Essential Duties :

Move works of art between storage, exhibition, photography, shipping, and other museum areas employing methods from hand carry to specialized mechanical means, depending on size, weight and condition.

Place modularized, packaged artwork onto various shelving and rack storage systems. Assist with framing, packing, and unpacking of works of art for transport using established methods and materials.

Perform object handling and related activities including cleaning, repairing, assembling objects or architectural elements under the supervision of a lead art handler, conservator and / or registrar.

Assist with the maintenance of art storage spaces; vacuum and dust art storage room and furniture; add or replace materials, as needed, to protect or support works while in storage.

Assemble prefabricated cardboard trays and other module packing systems for warehousing artwork. Create and enter data into inventory system, following location change procedures.

Utilize hand-held bar code scanner for tracking locations in warehouse or storage areas. Perform duties as assigned and according to a schedule that might rotate or change to accommodate work demands or staffing variations.

Other duties as requested.

Essential Duties

1. Assists with the construction of museum exhibits, display cases, frames, housings, mounts, lighting, theatrical sets and theater costumes through use of routine woodworking, metal working, welding, carpentry, electrical, glazing, painting and stitchery techniques.

2. Handles and moves works of art, scenery and other structures. Maintains the general upkeep of the museum, workshop, tools and machinery.

3. Provides and monitors security for the museum facility, contents, and visitors. 4. Oversees and instructs support staff.

Assists with installing and disassembling exhibits / sets. Fits costumes on actors. 5. May assist in framing, packing and unpacking works of art.

May input to and retrieve information from museum collection management database. Performs clerical functions incidental to museum activities.

Required Education and Experience

Two years of related work experience and a high school level education; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Previous experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, while maintaining a high level of attention to accuracy and detail;

demonstrated experience working successfully in an active team environment, performing rotating tasks while exercising discretion and sound independent judgment.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to organize own work and understand the impact of that work on others;

ability to analyze workflow and inventory and exercise effective judgment; demonstrated ability to work without close supervision and to communicate problems clearly to supervisor.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Prior experience using a variety of hand tools with extreme accuracy and with museum-level art handling practices moving and handling fragile, heavy works of art with great care and delicacy;

knowledge of archival materials and warehousing best practices.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Ability to use or willingness to be trained to use a university vehicle for delivery.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Ability to perform all tasks following strict safety guidelines with a willingness to be trained on and utilize OSHA approved safety equipment such as respirators and protective clothing.

Ability to be trained to use a forklift or other powered industrial vehicles (PIV); must achieve University PIV certification within 90 days of hire.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

B.F.A or B.A., Prior experience using a forklift or other powered industrial vehicles (PIV); must achieve University PIV certification within 90 days of hire.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications :

Valid driver license.

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here :

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position.

Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement :

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.

Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.