Collections Conservation Assistant

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada's largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees.

Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully. #Be The Reason

• Job :
  Collections Conservation Assistant
• Union:
  
  CUPE Local 5167
• Job Description  #: 7583
• Close date:
  September 16, 2026
• Duration:
  Up to 12 months
• Vacancy type:
  This posting is for an existing vacancy

Reporting to the Senior Curator, Collections and Monuments, the Collections and Conservation Assistant assists in the collections management and preventive conservation of historic collections at multiple museum sites owned by the City of Hamilton and managed by the Museums & Heritage Section of the Tourism & Culture Division. This position will support the accessioning and deaccessioning of collections, conducting all aspects of collections management including but not limited to;

registration, data entry, artifact handling, packing and unpacking of artifacts, research, scanning, digital photography. This position will also assist the Conservator with preventive and treatment conservation including, but not limited to:, condition reporting, environmental monitoring and basic conservation treatment of museum artifacts. Works with museum staff and conservation staff to ensure all aspects of artifact handling, conservation, packing, rehousing and documentation are up to current museum standards.

Conducts the hands-on processes of museum collections management: compiles information about heritage artifacts, completes relevant research, assesses existing documentation, creates accurate descriptions of artifacts, photo-documents artifacts, assigns and embosses accession numbers, stores artifacts according to professional museum standards.

Enters artifact collections data into the City's collections management system as required by Division operations and defined in the Section procedural and workflow manuals.

Digitizes artifacts using flatbed scanners and digital cameras, professional lighting and photography software and equipment for the purposes of photo editing and video.

Handles and moves artifacts according to professional care and handling standards; maintains location listings by updating catalogue files.

Prepares artifacts for display or storage by creating new custom storage containers and mounts in consultation with the Conservator.

Examines and performs basic conservation treatments on mixed materials including archival materials, photographs, objects and textiles adhering to CAC guidelines.

Conducts research of artifacts using on-line resources, primary and secondary documentary material to provide context and historical significance to the artifact collection.

Assists with preventive conservation of all museum storage and display spaces, this includes environmental monitoring and inspections of sites for the purposes of identifying pest management concerns, deterioration of artifacts and reports any damage and loss to Senior Curator, Collections and Monuments and Conservator.

Assists with exhibit preparation including coordination of loans, locating artifacts for exhibits, research, mount-making, relocation of artifacts, and assisting with the installation and deinstallation of artifacts.

Assists with the packing and unpacking of artifacts for travel and storage according to professional museum standards.

Supports the work of summer student, volunteers and interns.

Creates photo and video content specifically for social media, Hamilton Civic Museums blog and website purposes.

Supports the security of the building and collection. Reports deficiencies in safety/security systems and apparent damage or loss to appropriate team members.

Works in accordance with the provisions of applicable health and safety legislation and all City of Hamilton corporate and departmental policies and procedures related to occupational health and safety

Performs other duties as assigned which are related to the major responsibilities of the job.