Preparator

DEPARTMENT: Museum Collections               
REPORTS TO: VP, Collections Management
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DATE: May 2025
SALARY: $72,000-$79,000/Annual

Note: This position requires a cover letter for consideration. Refer to the “How to Apply” section of the job description for details. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Vice President, Collections Management, the Preparator holds a key position as a member of the Collections Department within the Museum Division, which encompasses the Collections, Exhibitions & Education departments. The Preparator is responsible for the strategic planning, scheduling, and implementation of all aspects of preparing, handling, packing, installing, deinstalling, and housing objects and artworks within the Museum’s collection and on loan. The Preparator efficiently and proactively supports undertakings fundamental to the Museum’s exhibition program building on a strong culture of internal teamwork.

The Preparator works collaboratively with Collections, Exhibitions, and Buildings & Grounds colleagues to achieve the Museum’s exhibition goals. The Preparator organizes contractors, staff, and schedules for museum installations and performs preparation, loan, and object housing activities. This position requires strong administrative skills as the Museum does not have a workshop and hires outside contractors for most mount fabrication.

The 9/11 Museum’s holdings are diverse and include art and artifacts in a wide range and scale of media, including metals, textiles, plastics, paintings, sculpture, print and digital photographs, and ephemera. Some exhibit damage sustained on 9/11, which is part of their historical and interpretive significance. Many collection objects are commemorative in nature, embodying stories and connections to those killed on 9/11 and thousands who responded. Holdings also include damaged rescue vehicles, large in-situ building elements of the World Trade Center, and archeological fragments from the site.

This is an exempt, full-time position. Work will primarily take place during business hours, however, exhibition rotations and corrections/adjustments to objects on view will occur early mornings and evenings throughout the year with advance notice. The Preparator’s schedule will be modified to accommodate such work. Most activities will take place at the Museum in lower Manhattan and at the institution’s off-site storage facility in Jersey City, NJ, with occasional work taking place at the Museum’s off-site storage facility in Rotterdam, New York.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Identifies, schedules, and communicates with outside contractors via email to coordinate logistics and ensure timely completion of projects.
  • Draws on extensive hands-on experience in art handling, installation, case construction, mount-making, and object care to effectively schedule, direct, and oversee the work of contractors and staff, ensuring best practices are followed in all aspects of exhibition installation and collections management.
  • Communicates regularly with the exhibitions and conservation staff to gather information and coordinate installation schedules. 
  • Installs and de-installs objects for exhibition. Strategizes and plans installations and de-installations with Museum project teams.
  • Contracts, hires, and schedules contractors (e.g., art handlers and mount makers) and supervises their work during installations and de-installations.
  • Acts as the principal supervisor on site on behalf of the Collections department during exhibition rotations.
  • Performs or oversees matting and framing of artworks.
  • Performs necessary corrections or adjustments to objects on display.
  • Attends and participates in department meetings and other project-based meetings and correspondence and updates systems for tracking exhibition rotations and loans planning. Provides accurate information in a timely manner to ensure successful exhibition rotations.
  • Creates exhibition rotation schedules for Collections department staff and contractors in collaboration with the Exhibitions department.
  • Prepares collections for outgoing loans, including condition reporting as needed, devising and implementing packing and mounting solutions, and collaborating with vendors on packing and crating methods.
  • Designs and constructs housing for existing collections and new acquisitions; formalizes methods through written contributions to a standards manual.
  • Acts as an expert resource for proper collections handling methods and storage practices; implements proper procedures for handling collections (use of clean carts, gloves, location change updates, object tags, etc.)
  • Completes required safety trainings for use of all equipment (lifts, etc.).
  • Maintains inventory of tools, equipment, hardware and supplies required for collections housing, packing, shipping and installation/deinstallation; identifies and makes necessary purchases.
  • Assists with the development of art handling and supply budgets; tracks spending and processes invoices.
  • Participates in the Collections department housekeeping program for collections storage areas.
  • Implements safe procedures for handling collection items exposed to World Trade Center dust in compliance with the Museum’s internal Operations and Maintenance plan and completes required trainings.
  • May act as courier for loans, exhibitions, or special packing/unpacking, installation/de-installation of collections and prepare and return materials held in temporary custody as needed.

REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EVENTS

  • Participate in the annual 5K fundraiser and September 11 commemoration. 
  • Assist with other special projects and events in support of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum mission, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIREMENT

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a concentration in museum studies, studio art, art history, humanities, or similar area. Any combination of acceptable training, on-the-job experience and/or education will be considered.
  • Self-starter, detail-oriented, flexible, and resourceful; a team player who embraces the collaborative benefits of museum work while also completing independent projects and assignments in a timely manner.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience handling, preparing, mounting, installing, housing and packing various types of objects and artwork in a museum or gallery setting, with prior supervisory experience.
  • Ability to safely move heavy, fragile, and/or odd-shaped objects or direct others to do so.
  • Strong familiarity with crating construction, strategies and techniques.
  • Flexibility to work a variable schedule including evenings and mornings throughout the year.
  • Fundamental understanding of preventive conservation as it relates to collections housing, storage, packing, moving and installation; knowledge of museum-approved materials and suppliers.
  • Strong technical skills in the safe use and maintenance of hand tools and pallet jacks, lifts, ladders and other equipment used to move and install collections.
  • Ability to interpret and respond to case plans and architectural/fabrication shop drawings to ensure proper display of collections.
  • Proficient computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office; familiarity with museum collections management systems such as CollectiveAccess.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining flexibility with shifting priorities and deadlines; ability to coordinate several tasks with many people simultaneously.
  • Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness and a creative approach to problem-solving.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Displays a high level of respect and support for colleagues, builds professional and respectful relationships across departments; committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
  • Commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.
  • Valid driver’s license; safe driving record.
  • Occasional travel to the Museum’s off-site storage facility in Rotterdam, NY

HOW TO APPLY

  • Please submit a cover letter and resume to 911mmcollectionsjobs@911memorial.org. Reminder: applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
  • Please include the position you are seeking in the email subject field. 
  • State the location where job posting was seen.

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The National September 11 Memorial and Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements of the role will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is committed to an organizational culture that supports and reinforces our values regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). We seek to build a collaborative, open, and equitable space where staff want to be, knowing that their contributions, professional expertise, and distinct voices are valued and respected. We encourage and celebrate an inclusive environment where candor and participation, when it comes to sharing ideas and collaborative problem-solving, are welcomed regardless of one’s role at the Museum or background. 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to qualified candidates, during the interview process, to enable individuals with disabilities an opportunity to interview.