Museum Exhibit Preparator; Carpenter

Title: Museum Exhibit Preparator (Carpenter)

State Role

Title:

Media Specialist II

Hiring Range: $41,200

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Agency Website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA’s growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.

Our holdings include the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art.

Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission.

VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

The VMFA’s Exhibition Design and Production department enhances audience experiences at numerous points of engagement, in museum galleries, throughout campus, and in the wider world. The team includes professionals in exhibition design and production, graphic design, and audiovisual and lighting design, working collaboratively to generate and execute original concepts on behalf of VMFA exhibitions and programming.

We are currently seeking applications for detail oriented and energetic individuals to join our Department of Exhibition Design & Production as a Museum Exhibit Preparator (Carpenter). This position supports the Exhibition Department in the presentation of the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions to its audiences both local and statewide.

• Fabricate display casework, pedestals, and architectural elements involved in the installation of the Museum’s temporary exhibitions and permanent gallery displays, adhering to the high standards of quality and appearance that the Museum requires.
• Read, review, and assess the architectural drawings used in such work.
• Consult with the designers regarding mechanical application of design ideas.
• Uses specialized materials such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, and Plexiglas, as required by exhibit design. Builds and sets up galleries according to plans (modular walls, casework, platforms, furniture, etc.).
• Follows all safety protocols including wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed to maintain the highest level of safety and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance when using tools, machines, and equipment,
• Operates motorized lifts (lift training and certification will be administered by the VMFA during onboarding).

Knowledge and skills in cabinetmaking and woodworking techniques, methods, and materials, and joinery techniques. Skill in the operation of carpentry shop tools and other fabrication equipment, as well as the safety precautions and practices associated with them, such as CNC machine routers, jigsaws, handsaws, crosscut saw, panel saws, planers, construction, and joiners. A working knowledge of museum exhibit fabrication and installation, and of furniture design,…