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Museum Preparator
UCI Series Concepts
Class Specifications - I.20
Principal Museum Preparator - 9632
Senior Museum Preparator - 9633
Museum Preparator - 9634
February, 1976
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SERIES CONCEPT
Museum Preparators perform or supervise the performance of duties
involving the handling of museum specimens or art objects for a variety
of purposes including exhibitions, research and teaching; assist the
Curators in the maintenance of collections; may assist field parties in
the collection of specimens; and perform other related duties as
required.
The examples cited in the Class Concepts are illustrative and do not
preclude allocation to the series of positions in museums not described
within the disciplines given as examples.
CLASS CONCEPTS
Principal Museum Preparator
Under general supervision, incumbents supervise the activities of
Preparators, or perform the most technical, skilled preparatory work
with museum collections, as indicated below.
Principal Museum Preparators assist in conservation and restoration
projects, in consultation with the appropriate Museum Scientist or
administrator; maintain collections according to museum classification
or storage systems; coordinate the installation of art exhibitions; may
perform limited research on museum materials or exhibit projects; and
may serve as docents to visitors and present talks to school groups by
introducing students and scholars to a collection, and providing
assistance as needed.
In a museum of paleontology, incumbents perform the most difficult
duties of preparation on fragile or unique specimens contained within
rock matrices; restore and mount specimens for exhibitions by
constructing skeletal mounts of fossil animals using drill presses, pipe
threaders, welding and soldering apparatus, and a variety of carpenter's
tools; clean, catalogue, label and arrange the most fragile specimens;
and advise museum staff Members on methods and techniques for preparing
or restoring specimens, and initiate new methods and techniques.
In a museum of anthropology, incumbents perform the most difficult and
complex duties of preparation for anthropological specimens; identify,
organize, and catalogue a variety of archaeological and ethnological
specimens; supervise the proper handling of fragile artifacts; carry out
sophisticated preservation and conservation projects; and supervise
preparators in duties involving the maintenance of collections, and the
packing and unpacking of shipments.
In a University art museum, incumbents direct and coordinate the complex
installation schedule of art exhibitions in several galleries which
change on irregular, but frequent occasions; supervise the preparation
staff; advise the curatorial staff on installation methods, and initiate
new methods. Incumbents are also assigned responsibility for the safe
handling of all works of art in the museum.
Principal Museum Preparator positions are distinguished from Senior
Museum Preparator positions in that incumbents either supervise other
preparators, or perform the most difficult assignments as described
above. The ability to work independently, or with a minimum of
supervision, is a characteristic of this class.
Senior Museum Preparator
Under supervision, incumbents serve at the operational level in
performing preparatory work.
Senior Museum Preparators perform preservation and restoration,
including the cleaning of specimens for exhibition; sort, arrange, and
integrate specimens or art objects into classification or storage
systems; condition and install works of art; and assemble and re-file
specimens or art objects, including checking material returned from loan
for possible damage.
In a museum of paleontology, incumbents serve as preparators in cleaning
rock matrix from fossil specimens using chemical and mechanical methods,
including a variety of hand- and power-driven tools such as electric and
pneumatic drills, dental tools, air abrasive tools, mallets, chisels and
similar tools. Incumbents also harden and preserve fossil specimens
using plaster, plastics and other hardeners; and model and restore
skeletal parts of fossil animals using modeling clay, plaster, plastic,
latex and plastiflex molding techniques.
In a museum of anthropology, incumbents serve as preparators in
cataloguing archaeological and ethnological specimens; carry out limited
research on the collections; may serve as working leaders for other
preparators in the organization and maintenance of collections; retrieve
and return specimens to collections as required; supervise preparators
in the construction of exhibit cases; and oversee the painting of
display units and the cleaning of exhibit case glass.
In a University art museum, incumbents receive, condition, mat, unmat,
mount, clean, frame and stretch, install, pack, ship, and record the
location of works of art in all media; use a wide variety of tools,
hardware and equipment; and act as security guards during installation
projects.
Senior Museum Preparator positions are distinguished from Museum
Preparator positions in that incumbents perform at the operational level
and are required to possess a higher level of experience applicable to
museum operations in their selected discipline, particularly in the
areas of collections research and organization.
Museum Preparator
Under close supervision, incumbents perform at the entry level those
functions described in the Series Concept. Typically, incumbents perform
manual work involving the transfer of specimens or art objects within a
museum, to and from classrooms, and for special exhibit layout; assist
in the layout of specimens or art objects for exhibition programs and
research projects; pack, unpack and prepare shipments; assist in
inventory and other collections work, including the typing of tray and
shelf labels; assist in the arrangement of specimens or art objects
within collections study-storage areas; assist in the construction of
exhibit cases, display units, and the painting of panels, backgrounds,
etc.; and assist in the maintenance of inventory records.
In a museum of paleontology, incumbents perform rough or semi-skilled
work in separating fossil material from the matrix; assist in the
cleaning, hardening and preservation of specimens; arrange specimens
within assigned storage areas; and make minor repairs on museum
showcases, work benches, tools and other equipment.
In a museum of anthropology, incumbents perform assigned tasks including
the inventory, cataloguing, and maintenance of collections; construct
crates for shipping artifacts; provide the manual labor for shifting
collections or perform other manual operations; handle artifacts for a
variety of purposes including exhibition installation; assist in the
construction of exhibit cases; and paint display units, clean glass, and
operate a variety of wood working power tools and equipment.
In a University herbarium, incumbents mount all kinds of botanical
specimens, ranging from the most fragile and delicate to bulky and/or
spiny, with techniques appropriate to each; assist with records of
mounted specimens; repair damaged specimens; place specimens in special
mounts for classroom demonstrations; instruct visitors in mounting
techniques; and may serve as working leaders for other mounters,
assigning tasks and advising on problems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Principal Museum Preparator
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years
of preparatory experience in a museum field; or graduation from college
with a major in a selected discipline, and one year of related
experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of
the duties assigned to the position.
Senior Museum Preparator
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and one year
of preparatory experience in a museum field; or graduation from college
with a major in a selected discipline; or an equivalent combination of
education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the
successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Museum Preparator
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma; and
knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the
duties assigned to the position.
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