HIGH LIFE HIGHLAND
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Temporary Assistant Conservator (12 Months Contract)
SALARY:
£22,295 - £25,116
LOCATION:
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Conservation Officer
JOB PURPOSE:
To undertake and maintain professional conservation assessment and
treatment processes, and to assist with the documentation of key parts of
the collections at the Highland Folk Museum as part of the Museums
Galleries Scotland Recognition-funded ‘Vernacular Organic Collections
Documentation & Conservation Project’
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

To survey the conservation needs of the basketry, horn work, treen, Barvas ware and
small textile craft hand tools collections at the Highland Folk Museum, assessing the
nature of any damage and determining suitable stabilisation and treatment methods

To undertake practical conservation work to stabilise and conserve the collections

To maintain comprehensive records, both written and photographic, of all conservation
work undertaken, noting methods and materials employed during treatments and
recording this information onto High Life Highland’s Adlib collections management
database

To ensure that all artefacts are stored with proper regard for their preventative
conservation needs

To work closely with the Documentation Assistant, measuring and photographing
individual objects and assessing their material condition

To work closely with the Documentation Assistant, assessing, researching and
documenting the collections, and writing an online blog that informs and updates the
public on the work being carried out, and promotes the project to a wide variety of
audiences

To write articles on the project for publication in museums-sector magazines and
periodicals, and more widely-read publications wherever possible

To assist in the delivery of a skills-sharing workshop for museums professionals and
volunteers from the independent museums sector in the Highlands (currently being
planned for April 2018)
Other Duties:
The Assistant Conservator may be required to perform duties, appropriate to the post, that vary
from those given in the job specification. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to
posts may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the
level of responsibilities entailed. Such variations are common and will not, in themselves, justify
reconsideration of the grading. As a result of such variations it may be necessary to update this
job specification from time to time.
Date:
February 2017
HIGH LIFE HIGHLAND
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE:
Temporary Assistant Conservator (12 Months Contract)
LOCATION:
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES:
In order to be able to carry out the duties of the post effectively and safely, candidates will be
able to provide evidence of the following:-
1. EXPERIENCE

Knowledge and experience of the appropriate conservation methods, preservation and
collections care for a wide range organic material within the museum setting
2. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Recognised conservation qualification (e.g. Diploma, PACR, ICON) covering the
conservation of social history and decorative arts collections, as well as preventive
conservation, or equivalent experience

Accredited or working towards accreditation
3. SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES GENERAL

Ability to understand and implement appropriate technical solutions for a range of
conservation challenges and problems

Ability to handle delicate and fragile museum objects with care

Ability to identify and prioritise the needs of the project, and to work to acceptable
standards and targets

Ability to work accurately and systematically, with good attention to detail
4. SKILLS/ABILITIES SPECIFIC TO THE POST

Excellent ICT skills and a willingness to work to recognised best-practice standards for
the documentation of museum collections

Organised and methodical with an ability to meet targets

Accurate and consistent, with good attention to detail

Good problem-solving skills and an ability to use one’s own initiative

Ability to handle delicate and fragile museum objects with care

Ability to use of digital photographic equipment

Methodical, accurate and well-organised with a good working knowledge of the relevant
professional standards, guidelines and equipment used for artefact conservation and
preservation
5. INTERPERSONAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS

Ability to work alone and/or as part of a team

Good interpersonal skills and an enthusiastic, ‘can-do’ attitude

Good communication skills and an ability to present detailed technical information in
interesting and accessible ways