POSITION DESCRIPTION CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN 53 Victoria Avenue Chatswood NSW 2067 Australia t f w Title Division/Department Reports to Location Conservation Technician Conservation Support Operations Manager ICS, 53 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood PURPOSE The Conservation Technician provides technical, maintenance and administrative support for a wide range of conservation work based within ICS laboratories and on site. The incumbent reports to the Operations Manager and plays a vital role in the effective resourcing of projects across the company. In addition, the incumbent works closely with conservators in all teams, has specific responsibilities for central stores and equipment maintenance, and may advise on technical aspects of problem-solving within their sphere of expertise. ENVIRONMENT International Conservation Services provides a diverse range of services for the conservation of heritage and cultural material. Our clients range from government through institutions and corporations to private individuals. ICS has a staff of employed in conservator, administration and management roles. The Conservation Support Team consists of two Conservation Technicians, and reports to the Operating Manager. See the ICS Organisation Chart for further information. This position is based in Chatswood, Sydney, and the majority of work will occur in or around Sydney. There will be opportunities or requirements for travel to site-based projects around Australia from time to time. KEY RELATIONSHIPS Supervision This position reports to the Operations Manager. The Conservation Technician will also report to a Senior Conservator when working on specific conservation jobs being conducted by specialist conservation teams. 1

2 Collaboration and Communication Internal: Conservation Support Team staff ICS Management team Conservation staff Administration staff External: Clients from the private, corporate and government sectors Sub-contractors Suppliers MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Conservation Treatment Support Work in all sections of the company to provide general support for a wide range of activities including: Technical support for basic conservation work in a range of areas, which could include Furniture, Objects, Sculpture, Textiles, Paper, Paintings, and Outdoor Heritage Photo-documentation of objects before, during and after treatment Maintenance of image archives and printing images Support for non-conservation aspects of jobs, eg. mat-cutting, hinging, packaging objects after treatment, preparing treatment workspaces, routine preparation of consumable materials, etc. Basic research as required by conservators Maintenance of treatment records as required Lab maintenance Support ICS sections in maintaining clean, safe work areas, including tools and equipment Manage the regular disposal of non-standard rubbish and hazardous chemicals Stores maintenance Establish and maintain an ICS central store for commonly ordered items Monthly and annual stocktake of materials for ICS central store and section stores Monthly ordering of materials Maintain safe and orderly stores, including documentation of what goes where Materials and Equipment stocktake and Materials Safety Data Sheets Maintain and update the annual stocktake spreadsheet Maintain and update MSDS register and folders Equipment maintenance Manage the equipment register and maintenance schedule Ensure regular electrical tagging of equipment Movement of objects and materials Assist with the handling of objects, including oversized and or/heavy objects and moving objects into and out of storage Assist with packing and unpacking site equipment and materials Customer service 2

3 From time to time support the Administration Division, eg: o answering enquiries o assisting with the receipt/dispatch of client objects o assisting with the transport of artworks, objects and furniture ICS administration Collect supplies and other items Assist with purchase orders as required Assist with section filing as required Assist with other administrative tasks as required, eg. compiling information for tender preparation, ICS web site Participate in the WHS Committee Contribute to in-house projects for ICS process improvement, eg. the storage project. Work effectively and efficiently with ICS Administration and Management to support the smooth operation of business processes. Professional Development and training Actively engage in personal professional development, eg. through on-the-job acquisition of expertise, formal training, and through professional activities, organisations and events. ACCOUNTABILITIES AND CHALLENGES This position is responsible for a wide range of technical and administrative duties that impact on the smooth flow of work across all levels of the company. In addition, there may be regular interaction with clients. The environment is multi-faceted, dynamic and diverse. The Conservation Technician must: work well under supervision, as well as working independently as required support a variety of treatments on wide range of objects prioritise and complete tasks to the standard required have the ability to multi-task and manage enquiries and requests from a multiple sources in a timely way provide practical and timely solutions to sometimes complex conservation challenges be well-organised and able to manage schedule changes to accommodate other unexpected, urgent work develop a broad understanding of the range of services provided by ICS to be able to respond effectively to enquiries from both staff and clients develop an understanding about when and to whom to refer queries and issues work effectively in a team environment, and work closely with the Operations Manager to facilitate the effective resourcing of projects across the company All conservators and technicians employed by ICS are required to abide by the AICCM Codes of Ethics and Practice. 3

4 AUTHORITY TO ACT The Conservation Technician is required to prioritise work requests and undertake a range of duties with minimal supervision after consultation with the Operations Manager and relevant Senior Conservator. There is no financial delegation attached to this position. PERFORMANCE All staff are involved in an annual performance assessment and career review that focuses on key outcomes and results identified for their position. Performance will be assessed in relation to achievement of the Major Responsibilities outlined above. SAFETY AND WELLBEING RESPONSIBILITIES All staff must: Take reasonable care of, and cooperate with actions taken to protect, the health and safety of both themselves and others. Report all accidents, incidents and hazards to their supervisor as soon as is practicable, both verbally and in writing using the appropriate form. Be familiar with, and work in accordance with, the requirements of the 2011 Work, Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations, and the ICS WHS Manual. Supervisors and managers must: Do whatever is reasonably practical to ensure that both the workplace and the work itself are safe, in consultation with staff affected. Actively seek to identify improvements to current WHS practices. 4

5 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Skills and knowledge 1. Broad knowledge about conservation principles and practices. 2. Technical skill in at least one field relevant to conservation, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to handle valuable or delicate objects and hazardous materials with extreme care 3. Strong interpersonal skills that foster good management and excellent teamwork, including the mentoring and professional development of peers and direct reports. 4. Good written skills and verbal communication skills. 5. Proficient use of business technology including Microsoft Office software and digital photography. 6. Ability to use hand tools and artists materials. 7. Ability to lift up to 15-20kg. Personal attributes 8. Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage time effectively. 9. Strong commitment to client service. 10. Initiative and willingness to learn, in order to complete a variety of tasks and to work in a constantly changing environment. 11. Outcome-focused, with a helpful attitude and excellent work ethics. 12. Enthusiasm for contributing to and furthering the work and aims of ICS. 13. Strong, demonstrated commitment to the AICCM Codes of Ethics and Practice and the Burra Charter. Experience 14. Experience working in conservation or an allied field, eg. as a conservation technician, a skilled tradesperson, or an artist with practical skills. 15. Demonstrated experience of working cooperatively with staff from diverse backgrounds and contributing to effective and collaborative teamwork. 16. Demonstrated ability to manage time to meet deadlines. 17. Demonstrated ability to manage safety in the workplace. 18. Previous experience of working in the private conservation sector will be valued. Qualifications 1. Tertiary qualifications in conservation. 2. Drivers Licence 5

6 ORGANISATION CHART See attached. APPROVALS AND REVISION Written by Ruth Thompson, Operations Manager Approved by David West, Executive Director Approval date 13 November 2013 Revision dates 6