Assistant preparator

Job Title: Assistant Preparator

Department: Collections

Reports to: Director of Collections & Exhibitions

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

Shift Available: Monday-Friday from 7:00am-3:30pm

Hourly Compensation: $26.76 as set by the collective bargaining agreement

Relocation: This role is based in Toledo, Ohio. The successful candidate will be expected to work on-site and must be able to relocate to the area within a 30-minute commute.

Deadline to Apply: October 10, 2025 by 12:00pm Eastern

Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus.

And thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.

SUMMARY

Assists with ensuring the safety of art in its handling and movement throughout the Museum campus. Demonstrates developing skills for fabricating crates, and exhibition furniture. Assists with maintaining shop equipment and exercises safe shop practices. Focuses on developing art preparator craft skills, confidence, and competence with and strong relationships with coworkers, specifically the Collections, Conservation and Curatorial Departments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Handles and moves artwork during installation and de-installation in galleries and storage areas and moves crated or packed works on and off vehicles throughout the Museum campus.
• Acquires skills to create shop drawings based on information provided by the Senior Exhibition and Installation Designer.
• Assists with fabricating exhibition furniture including pedestals and platforms using wood, metal, paint, fabric, and other materials.
• Assists in fabricating new or retrofitting existing crates for transportation of artwork.
• Packs and unpacks artwork.
• Acquires knowledge and skills for preparing museum galleries for display of artwork including painting, rough and finish carpentry, and exhibition and gallery lamping.
• Installs gallery labels and didactics for both collections and exhibition galleries.
• Assists with maintaining functional and safe carpentry shop including recommending the purchase and repair of hand and power tools and safety equipment, cleaning and organizing of equipment and supplies, and complying with OSHA regulations related to the operation of equipment and handling of materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to the Director of Exhibitions & Collections.
• Builds strategic working relationships while working closely with the Collections, Curatorial, and Conservation Departments.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires college-level coursework in studio art, art history or related discipline. Bachelor’s degree in an art related field preferred.
• Minimum of 1-2 years' related work experience in a museum setting that includes regular handling and packing of works of art and at least 1-2 years of experience with finish carpentry work or an equivalent combination of education and experience. *Candidates selected for the interview process will be requested to provide images of builds they have completed to show carpentry and fabrication skills and images of art installations they have worked on.
• Knowledge of and or experience with archival and conservation procedures and materials is a plus.
• Anticipated return demonstration of art preparator skills during 12-to-18-month period to advance to art preparator position.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Must have a valid driver’s license; must be insurable through TMA insurance company.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals; ability to write routine reports and correspondence; ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume as well as the ability to apply basic concepts of algebra and geometry.
• Ability to read floor plans, mechanical and architectural drawing related to exhibition furniture construction and layouts.
• Experience with Collection Databases, preferably The Museum System, is strongly desired.
• Familiarity with design software a plus.
• Willingness to learn new software applications.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment screening.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Physical strength to lift and/or move heavy objects (able to lift and carry 50 lbs. e.g. work of art; able to maneuver and manipulate 250 lbs., e.g. crate). The employee must work with a wide range of hand and power tools and maintain a safe, efficient work environment.

BENEFITS

• Eligible upon date of employment

**Eligible after successful completion of the 60 worked day probationary period

• 20 Days of Paid Time Off Annually **
• 6 Paid Holidays Annually**
• 2 Floating Holidays Annually**
• 3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually**
• Birthday Paid Day Off*
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance*
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan*
• Short-Term Disability, Voluntary Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans*
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Pet Insurance*
• Employee Assistance Plan*
• Museum Family Membership*
• Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Café, Studio Art Classes, & More!*

PROBATIONARY PERIOD, WAGES, INITIATION FEES, & DUES*

This classification is represented by Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers Union, Local No. 20 affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. New employees will have to complete a (60) sixty-day probationary period. While an employee is still in their probationary period, they will receive ninety (90%) of the wages in their classification listed above until completion of their probationary period. All employees covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement shall be required, as a condition of continued employment in the unit, to be members of the Union no later than thirty-one (31) days worked, excluding overtime, after the date of their employment. All such employees shall be required, as a condition of continued employment, to maintain such membership. *See Collective Bargaining Agreement for full details.

The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [email protected] or (567)-666-0387.