Role Purpose

The Paintings & Objects Conservator cares for the Museum’s National Historical Collection and other holdings in the Museum’s care. They support many of the Museum’s activities involving the collection and manage risks to preservation of the collection in the many diverse ways the collection is accessed, utilised and stored.  

Key Accountabilities

The Conservator, Paintings & Objects role is part of a diverse team, reporting to the Senior Conservator, Objects in a busy and dynamic work environment. While the role is based in a material specialist conservation team, the role works across all types of materials as required.  Over the 12-month engagement, the role will action and support a wide range of activities associated with exhibitions and collections care, including development and maintenance of First Nations driven exhibitions of contemporary & historic materials.  

The role includes varied conservation tasks including condition, pest and hazard assessments, interventive conservation treatments, preventive conservation and hazard management programs, preparation of objects for display, gallery maintenance, exhibition installs and de-installs, mount assessments and preparation, as well as storage and collection rehousing activities. There will also be opportunities to participate in public programs, respond to occasional public and sector enquiries, and work on collaborative projects within the sector. Conservators also represent their team at meetings where appropriate and may occasionally travel domestically and internationally to support touring exhibitions and remote collection work.   

The position entails working closely with conservation, registration and curatorial colleagues and a broad range of internal stakeholders across the organisation, as well as external stakeholders, volunteers and contractors on a variety of collection matters. The role will also contribute to cross-skilling other conservators by providing training and mentoring in specialist materials conservation and collection activities related to areas of expertise and knowledge.  

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate will have proven specialist skills and experience in paintings & objects conservation, as well as general experience working across a broad range of material types and collection preservation activities.

They embrace a flexible working approach and are willing to support the team by working across all conservation areas when directed and required. They understand complex conservation treatment practices, including risk management, preventive and interventive. They can apply their skills to interventive treatments using established and new techniques, while being willing to experiment and take measured risks in developing treatment alternatives and improvements. They can demonstrate their capacity to work collaboratively with peers to implement initiatives that drive long-term preservation outcomes.

They have good analytical skills with the capacity to research efficiently, then analyse and present complex data to support decision-making processes. The successful candidate will have proven experience in preparing treatment proposals and the ability to implement, organise, monitor, report and deliver quality conservation outcomes.

They are good communicators who can effectively negotiate, influence, reflect and persuade to achieve results and positive outcomes. They are flexible, adaptable and outward-looking and able to navigate changing and competing demands with professionalism. They work collegiately with a broad range of museum colleagues to deliver the Museum’s priorities.

They show commitment to supporting corporate goals and priorities and can plan and organise their own work, as well as actively engaging with planning the work of their team to ensure effective delivery of program objectives.

They have a proactive, pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

They have good IT skills and prior experience in collection management systems and have proven capacity to utilise a range of information systems and tools to improve efficiency and productivity.

They have a demonstrated awareness and personal commitment to the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

They demonstrate a strong commitment to Work Health and Safety (WH&S) by actively supporting a positive safety culture, following the Museum’s WHS policies and procedures, and complying with reasonable instructions to ensure alignment with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Essential:

• Advanced technical knowledge and demonstrated practical experience working in the conservation of painted surfaces or objects, supported by relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience. Demonstrated confidence and practical capability working across both specialisations.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly organised and methodical manner, exercising sound judement, initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make informed decisions and recommendations supported by critical analysis of available evidence, and consideration of risks, outcomes and resources.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Technical knowledge of risks and hazards associated with collections and proven experience in applying these to effective risk assessment and management practice.

Desirable:

• Skills and experience working with bark paintings, ochre painted timber objects and acrylic paintings. 
• Skills and experience working with communities and people from diverse backgrounds in collection activities, exhibition project development and delivery.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:

• be an Australian citizen
• undergo pre-employment checks, including a police record check 
• hold or be eligible to hold a security clearance at the level specified in the position description.

The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for roles at the Museum.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position.

 The Museum is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment.  All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for, these principles, in theory and practice.

To Apply

Applicants must include a two-page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the essential and desirable skills, experience and qualifications defined in the position description with their application. Applicants must also provide a current CV and contact details for two referees. 

 Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 02 August 2026.

 Visit http://www.nma.gov.au/about/employment and apply online. 

 Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. If you require, or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the Contact Officer for this position.