Kaitiaki Taonga Conservator – Paintings (fixed-term until September 2025)
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, as Kaitiaki Taonga Conservator Paintings on a fixed term basis due to an internal secondment.
Te Papa's mission is to understand the past, enrich the present and meet the challenges of the future. Our core values Whanaungatanga (Teamwork), Manaakitanga (Respect) and Auahatanga (Creativity) are at the centre of how Te Papa operates. The work of Te Papa's Collection Care team is underpinned by the practice of Mana Taonga - people-centred museology, which requires an added responsibility of care for the people who are associated with our collections and taonga.
The position sits within Collection Services, home to our Collection Care and Exhibition Services teams, and works closely with Te Papa's other Katiaki Taonga Conservator Paintings and alongside conservators of paper, objects and textiles as well as collection managers. You'll be working with a highly skilled and dedicated team supporting the wellbeing of Te Papa's collections.
The position is responsible for the conservation and care of Te Papa's paintings collections, to enable their use internally and by a range of external stakeholders and communities. You'll support an active programme of collection development, storage, exhibition and lending. The paintings collection comprises of works by both New Zealand and international artists, dating predominantly to the 19th and 20th centuries.

The successful applicant will:

• Identify conservation needs, risks and mitigation measures for paintings
• Design and carry out treatments in adherence with conservation ethical principles and following appropriate cultural and health & safety protocols
• Carry out condition assessments, surveys and complete required documentation using Te Papa's collection information system EMu
• Carry out prioritised research to identify materials and to test and develop treatment methodologies

To be successful in the role, you'll bring:

• A tertiary qualification in conservation, preferably with at least three years' proven experience working as a conservator within a museum or gallery setting.
• Strong communication skills and a passion for working collaboratively as part of a team
• Excellent planning and time management abilities for managing multiple concurrent workstreams
• Ability and willingness to learn and apply Te reo Māori and cultural practices
• Experience working with contemporary art is desirable but not essential.

The position description provides further information about the role. Please apply online submitting your CV and a cover letter (no more than two pages) describing your motivation for applying and outlining how your skills and background are a fit with the position.
Questions about this position can be sent to Anne Peranteau, Manager Collection Care Practice Anne P@tepapa.govt.nz
The salary for this position will be between $ 79,000 - $89,000. Offers will be made within the range to reflect the skills and experience offered by the candidate, those required of the role, and internal relativities.
Applications close on 11 October 2024
This is a fixed-term position providing backfill cover until September 2025. There is some flexibility on the start date so please indicate your preference in your application.
Applicants must have or obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Prior to Te Papa confirming any offer of employment, pre-employment checks will be undertaken including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.
The full ad text and Position Description are available on the Te Papa Careers Page