Philadelphia Museum of Art

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. 

How You Will Contribute

The Art Technician focuses on art handling, logistics, and safe transit of artwork between museum facilities and various locations throughout the greater Philadelphia region, including nearby metropolitan cities. This position also assists with maintaining the museum’s off-site storage facility for art and related materials as needed.

As a team member of the Registrars’ office, the Art Technicians work cooperatively with one another and collaborate directly with staff in Installations and Packing, Curatorial and Conservation on an ongoing basis to ensure the safe transportation of art objects, proper documentation, and the care of the museum’s collection in accordance with museum best practices. Technicians must be organized, careful, and considerate with great attention to detail, art handling experience, and be comfortable driving box trucks. This position reports to the main building of the museum or to its off-site art storage facility as needed.

Specifically, you will:

• Drive museum vehicles to pack and transport artwork.
• Load and offload artwork; pick up, and deliver a wide variety of works of art (all media) from various sites including homes and businesses.
• Install and deinstall artwork as needed.
• Careful art handling and packing during pick-up and delivery.
• Communicate timely information concerning transport to Registrar.
• Understand the principles of art care and basic knowledge of professional museum principles, practices, and procedures related to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of objects.
• Performs any other duties related to art handling, maintenance of the collection, and the functions described above.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Your background and experience include:

• Experience in and understanding of current fine arts packing principals to fabricate packing to safely ship artwork.
• Experience with art handling.
• Current valid drivers’ license with good driving record. Must possess or be able to obtain a DOT Medical Card.
• Ability to drive Sprinter Van. Truck driving experience (20’ box truck) preferred.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Woodworking skills and use of various shop equipment including table, radial arm and band saw a plus.
• Must be able to use (or be trained to use) forklift and other equipment necessary to access works of art.
• Motivated, responsible and dependable
• Uncompromising discretion, professionalism and work ethic.
• Collections Management database experience, preferably TMS, desired.

Position and Compensation Details

• The hourly rate for this position is $20.18.
• This position is Full-Time, Non-Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
• This position reports to the Collection Storage Manager.
• Physical requirements:
• Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
• Able to move items up to 50 pounds
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
• Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.