Occupation Details
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$41,550.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$63,810.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$91,330.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,100
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,710
+61 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
216
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.6%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
History and Archeology
Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Air abrasive tools
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Brazing equipment
- Carpenters' chisels
- Claw hammers
- Cold chisels
- Cordless drills
- Dental explorers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Digital micrometers
- Digitizers
- Dusting brushes
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Hygrometers
- Infrared cameras
- Laboratory scalpels
- Laptop computers
- Mallets
- Oxyacetylene welding equipment
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Power saws
- Soldering irons
- Stereo microscopes
- Temperature sensors
- Ultraviolet UV examination lights
- Vacuum cleaner micro-tools
- Vacuum cleaners
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Gallery Systems EmbARK
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visual FoxPro
- Microsoft Word
- Questor Systems QScan32
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- monitor and control museum or institution resources
- advise volunteers or leaders to ensure program quality or effectiveness
- recommend action to ensure compliance
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- prepare reports
- prepare reports of property or facility status
- escort group on city or establishment tours
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- prepare cost estimates
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- make presentations
- evaluate documents or manuscripts
- evaluate photographs or art objects
- analyze artifacts to determine age or cultural identity
- appraise artifact value
- test historical authenticity of various materials
- inspect museum pieces
- compute product or materials test results
- catalog or classify materials or artifacts
- develop arts-related information or index systems
- organize commercial artistic or design projects
- use interviewing procedures
- use knowledge of materials testing procedures
- use freight shipping or storage procedures
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use creativity to art or design work
- decorate using hand or power tools
- restore photographs
- use creativity in designing interior spaces
- arrange merchandise display
- design decorative displays
- apply cleaning solvents
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- erect scaffold
- apply protective coating to products
- polish jewelry, silverware or related products
- package goods for shipment or storage
- retrieve or place goods from/into storage
- cut metal or plastic
- study artifacts, architectural features, or structures
- identify color or balance
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
- Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
- Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
- Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method.
- Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
- Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
- Photograph objects for documentation.
- Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
- Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used.
- Enter information about museum collections into computer databases.
- Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
- Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff.
- Perform tests and examinations to establish storage and conservation requirements, policies, and procedures.
- Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects.
- Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
- Construct skeletal mounts of fossils, replicas of archaeological artifacts, or duplicate specimens, using a variety of materials and hand tools.
- Supervise and work with volunteers.
- Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials.
- Preserve or direct preservation of objects, using plaster, resin, sealants, hardeners, and shellac.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and improve methods of restoring and preserving specimens.
- Deliver artwork on courier trips.
- Build, repair, and install wooden steps, scaffolds, and walkways to gain access to or permit improved view of exhibited equipment.
- Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.
- Lead tours and teach educational courses to students and the general public.
- Estimate cost of restoration work.
- Cut and weld metal sections in reconstruction or renovation of exterior structural sections and accessories of exhibits.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Archivists, curators, and museum technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreMuseum Education Institute at the New York State Museum
The Institute introduces teachers to the Museum research process, with access to current research information, and encourages interaction with Museum research and collections staff. The teacher workshops are aligned with New York State Learning Standards and encourages hands-on and inquiry based training opportunities. Evolution,earth science and archaeology are upcoming themes.
Learn More