Architectural Conservator

**Architectural Conservator**
**Full-Time**

**POSITION OVERVIEW**:
The Architectural Conservator is a full-time, exempt-status position, working within the Department of Historic Preservation and Collections under the direct supervision of the Curator of Preservation Collections (“Preservation Curator”). In addition to supporting the overall mission of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the department to preserve the historic resources of Mount Vernon, the Architectural Conservator is charged with a leading role in planning the conservation, storage, maintenance, and care of the historic standing structures, archaeological resources and the architectural and archaeological collections.

**COMPENSATION**:
Negotiations start at $50,000.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**:

- Assists Preservation Curator and the Director of Preservation (“Director”) in planning architectural conservation, archaeological conservation, and restoration projects, securing funding and managing budgets, and in collaborating with colleagues throughout the department and in the field to achieve the greatest level of scientific analyses, best practices, communication and effective implementation possible.
- Conserves Mount Vernon’s historic architectural fabric utilizing the latest scientific methods, coordinating as needed with outside consultants and contractors.
- Conserves Mount Vernon’s architectural and archaeological collections for long-term preservation and, in some cases, for museum display; assists in determining the prioritization of object conservation needs, developing long-term collections storage protocols, and developing related budgets.
- Oversees the work of contract conservation work, both on and off site. Prepares “Requests for Proposals” (RFPs), identifies qualified bidders, develops scopes of work, and reviews contract conservation proposals.
- Conducts primary and secondary research and investigation on Mount Vernon’s built environment as needed to support the work of preservation and department staff for project planning and reporting. This includes physical examination of structures, architectural collection objects, archaeological features and archaeological collection items; produces documentation and reporting on the same.
- Conducts and oversees proper sampling of materials for laboratory identification and/or analysis, and cohesively synthesizes findings in written form.
- Works with the Preservation Curator and Director to develop and execute a comprehensive long-range plan for conserving, restoring and maintaining the Estate’s historic structures.
- Assists in the execution of routine maintenance of the historic structures working closely with the Architectural Research Manager, Preservation Specialist, Preservation Technician, other Mount Vernon staff, and outside contractors. Identifies ways to improve issues with ongoing maintenance issues.
- Collaborates with the Architectural Research Manager and architectural preservation team on bi-annual inspections of the historic buildings, both interior and exterior, resulting in written recommendations for their care.
- Collects and analyzes data on the Mansion environment and the effects of HVAC on the building fabric, making recommendations for system settings.
- Supports the architectural preservation team with research on and recommendations about materials and supplies to use in cleaning and maintenance routines, including conducting experiments to ascertain effectiveness and maintaining metrics to track effectiveness and consider ways to improve the cleaning regime.
- Works with the Director and Preservation Curator to develop and supervise internships for graduate students and young conservation professionals.
- Represents Mount Vernon at conferences, symposia and committees concerning architectural conservation and care and management of Mount Vernon’s built environment.
- Undertakes other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- MA or MS degree in conservation, historic preservation, architectural history, architecture or a closely related field with course work in materials conservation required.
- Familiarity with the conservation of wood, glass, metals, plaster, brick and stone masonry, and bone and other organic materials. Ability to identify and conduct conservation procedures, historic building maintenance and repairs in situ or in the laboratory.
- Ability to document research findings and to assist in recording structures and field conditions as well as produce basic measured drawings.
- Sound knowledge of philosophy and fundamental principles of conservation and historic preservation, including the identification, evaluation, documentation and treatment of historic architecture and archaeologically recovered materials.
- Ability to develop and implement short-term conservation goals designed to realize comprehensive long-term conservation strategies to achieve the preservation of 18th-century fabric.
- Knowledge of 1