Associate Conservator, Western Paintings
Seattle, WAFull TimePosted Nov 3, 2026
Requirements at a glance
Associate Conservator, Western Paintings at Seattle Art Museum is a full-time role based in Seattle, WA. It does not mention visa sponsorship. Key skills include Excel and Customer service. Applications are submitted through Lever.
- Visa sponsorship
- Not mentioned in the posting
- Application platform
- Lever
Skills in this posting
- Excel
- Customer service
Extracted automatically from the job description. Confirm details in the full posting below.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Associate Conservator, Western Paintings will assist with the conservation, treatment, and preventive care of Western paintings in the SAM collection, and conservation care for loaned works of art.
ABOUT SAM
As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job—it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Conservation
- Carry out conservation tasks, including preservation, conservation, and restoration of works of art across all sites, with a primary focus on Western paintings from SAM’s collection
- Carry out all facets of examination, documentation, research, treatment, and work with Chief Conservator to determine long-term preservation priorities for paintings in the museum’s permanent collection
- Generate proposals, treatment records, and other documentation of projects to be archived in the museum’s collection database
- Assist in preservation planning and emergency preparedness and response as needed
- If requested, serve as courier for at-risk works of art traveling to other institutions, carry out treatments, surveys, inspections and consultations as necessary
General
- Research works of art from the museum collections and participate in sharing work with the public and colleagues internally and externally
- When appropriate present findings in lectures, displays and publications
- As needed, facilitate access to collections, supporting the museum's outgoing loan activities and exhibition schedule by preparing works of art for loan and display
- Assist with supervision of conservation interns
- Interact with a broad range of people, including museum members and the public, donors, students, scholars and lenders, concerning conservation and preservation matters
- Maintain the highest standards of museum practice through continued education, personal research, and active dialog with colleagues at other museums
- Answer phone and mail inquiries about the paintings preserved in the collection.
Other Duties
- Contribute to an institutional focus of delivering exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service—creating positive, meaningful experiences for all visitors, every time
- Participate in institutional learning opportunities to grow our collective understanding and integration of antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree or post-graduate diploma in Conservation, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Five years’ experience in paintings conservation and preventive conservation
- Knowledge of environmental requirements and controls for handling, storage, exhibition, and transportation of artwork
- Ability to use hand and power tools and other equipment required in the conservation and transport of artwork
- Knowledge of materials used to make works of art and the chemical and physical processes of their deterioration
- Knowledge of procedures relating to examination and preventive and corrective treatment of art objects, ability to remove unwanted material from delicate surfaces, perform structural repairs, match colors, and execute in-painting
- Ability to work with extraordinary precision and attention to detail
- Professional verbal and written communication, with an ability to tailor communications according to audience
- Successfully assess priorities and work well with deadlines, time management, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet-based research
- Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance
FLSA Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Chief Conservator
Work Location: Seattle Art Museum Downtown
BENEFITS
Benefits include a fully employer paid HMP medical plan or an employee contribution PPO plan, dental, vision, and basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D, Flexible Spending Account, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Dental Insurance and participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.
Following 1 year of service and 1,000 hours worked, SAM makes a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation and provides an employer match program. Historically, this contribution has been made annually.
Additional benefits include paid time off for vacation, PSST, bereavement leave, and jury duty, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 paid floating holiday, a subsidized unlimited Orca card, onsite fitness facility, and an EAP. FT Staff also receive a Patron level membership to SAM, a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums and discounts to museum shop and programming.
ACCOMODATION
The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hr@seattleartmuseum.org. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.
SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic
Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!