City and County of San Francisco

Under administrative direction, the Chief Preparator manages the staff and operations of a museum preparation department. This position supervises the design, fabrication, construction, and installation of exhibitions; preparation of gallery space for exhibitions; and preparation of objects to be exhibited. The incumbent of this class also manages the departmental budget, hiring and training, and confers with other museum professional staff on plans for construction and installation.

This is a single position class at Asian Arts Museum that is responsible for providing direction to and supervision of a museum's exhibition preparation and installation program. It is distinguished from class 3524 Principal Preparator in that the latter class develops and supervises the design of museum exhibits, and serves as lead worker on exhibition teams.

: Supervises all museum preparation staff.

: According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code (class) and are not intended to be an inclusive list. 1. Plans, prioritizes, and schedules work of the Preparation department; assesses resource needs and determines adjustments as required; hires regular and temporary staff; directs, supervises, and evaluates their work. 2. Confers with supervisor, curators, artists, other museum departments, and staff from other institutions, in planning for the design and construction of temporary and permanent exhibits; participates in exhibition planning teams; in consultation with other team members, determines detailed production schedules, estimating time and cost involved and general procedures. 3. Consults with museum conservators and registrars with regard to art movement and handling, and mountmaking; oversees the construction of display furniture (including microclimate-controlled cases) built to conservation standards, for temporary exhibitions. 4. Supervises preparators and temporary art installers, and works alongside them, in the preparation of artwork and the installation and de-installation of exhibitions and permanent collection rotations; manages and participates in the fabrication and installation of exhibits (including mat-cutting and framing for works of art on paper, packing and unpacking; exhibition graphics, signage, and labels; wall construction and painting; lighting; display fixtures and mounts; and earthquake mitigation) insuring the highest quality within available resources. 5. Develops and administers the departmental budget, and assists in the development of exhibition and special project budgets. 6. Manages the ongoing monitoring of the condition and appearance of permanent and temporary exhibit installations; identifies problem areas and recommends solutions; oversees the necessary repair/maintenance or coordinates work with other museum departments as required. 7. Oversees the maintenance and repair of tools and equipment; estimates costs, purchases materials, equipment and supplies; insures adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the operations of the Preparation department and its workshop and in the handling of art. 8. Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of: Design and construction of museum exhibits; art handling procedures for two-and three-dimensional art objects in a variety of materials, sizes, and weights, including the rigging and movement of art; mountmaking principles, and lighting concepts; safety regulations, practices, and procedures; the principles of supervision; training practices and procedures; knowledge in using the standard tools, practices and methods used in painting; rough and finish carpentry as well as cabinet work; and the use and application of different materials such as various kinds of lumber, fabrics, plastics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives. Ability to: Plan, prioritize, schedule, and implement projects; simultaneously oversee a variety of projects; develop and manage budgets; prepare cost estimates; make sound purchasing decisions; lift and move heavy objects as required; interpret working drawings; develop and implement design concepts; plan, supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff; participate effectively as a member of a cross-functional team; establish and maintain effective working relationships with museum staff, volunteers, the general public, and representatives from other museums; explain and carry out methods and procedures relating to the handling of irreplaceable objects of art

Completion of high school, supplemented by eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the preparation, construction, and installation of museum exhibit displays, including at least two (2) years of supervisory and management experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience must include demonstrated successful experience in the management of major projects. Performance of essential functions requires regular physical mobility to oversee and supervise work within preparator's shop and in museum gallery spaces. Physical agility, good vision, and manual dexterity required to move art and operate tools/equipment. Medium to heavy work requiring lifting, carrying and moving lumber, other materials, tools and equipment, and finished exhibit and display fixtures and furniture.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.