Creative and design
Collections Technician - Conservation technician
Collections technicians are specialist practitioners who contribute to operational running of collections and exhibitions.
Summary
Collections technicians are specialist practitioners who contribute to the conservation, preparation, planning, technical and operational running of collections and exhibitions.
Collections technicians can be found working across a wide range of specialist areas of practice including remedial and preventive conservation, exhibition preparation and execution, art handling, loans and transporting collections amongst many others.
Their work will vary depending upon the specific job role and institution. They are most likely to work in one of two specialist areas of practice:
Museum and gallery technician who will undertake work which may be focused on loans, exhibitions and storage of collections.
Conservation technician working under the supervision of trained conservator-restorers to undertake treatment to collections or implementing preventive conservation measures.
Roles could be in local or national heritage institutions such as a museum, gallery or archive service; as well in private sector organisations that provide services to heritage institutions, or private owners or commercial organisations in the wider arts and cultural heritage sectors. In doing so they may work across a range of collections, such as in a historic property. Or their work might be directed towards a particular type of object or collection such as books, sculpture or metals.
They also complete documentation associated with collections management, risk assessment and object handling. They must work within their organisation’s policies and procedures at all times, and are responsible for ensuring that their tools and equipment are health, safety and security compliant.
Collections technicians may support wider organisational activities such as providing objects for learning sessions in a safe and responsible way, selecting and handling objects for external clients, showing others how to safely handle objects, or accompanying visitors and or clients to object stores.
Collections care technicians may be expected to work with conservators, curators, artists, scientists, contractors, art handlers, and exhibition managers. They may be expected to accompany, sometimes alone, the transit of objects, nationally and internationally, and work both independently and as part of a team.
Typical job titles include
- Art and collection technician | Art handler | Collections conservation technician | Conservation science technician | Conservation technician | Curatorial assistant | Exhibition technician | Museums assistant | Specialist conservation technician
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Audience demographics, their make-up and their impact on the organisation.
K2:
Materials, structure and context of objects in their area of practice.
K3:
Tools and equipment needed in their area of practice.
K4:
Statutory and sectoral quality and policy standards within own area of work.
K5:
Principles behind the care of objects and the impact of this on decision making.
K6:
Cultural, historic, and spiritual context of objects and structures and how to operate within these ethical frameworks.
K7:
Principles behind the safe handling and movement of objects and collections.
K8:
Sources of information required to fully assess options and strategies.
K9:
Factors to be considered when estimating the time and resources required to complete a task.
K10:
Legal requirements and obligations relating to health and safety and the organisation’s associated policies and procedures.
K11:
Organisation's process for identifying and managing risk, including documentation requirements.
K12:
Security issues impacting cultural institutions.
K13:
Organisation’s disaster and emergency response systems, associated policies and procedures and the role that they play within this.
K14:
Record keeping and data management procedures and the impact of this on other areas of work.
K15:
The 10 agents of deterioration and how these impact collections care.
K16:
Environmental conditions for the objects and collections under their care.
K17:
Wider heritage sector, improved sustainable practice and how this is being implemented in their organisation.
K18:
Personal development plans, incorporating Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Result-orientated and Time-bound objectives to develop personal organisation skills in line with the organisation's goals and deadlines.
K19:
Methods and approaches for communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
K20:
Wider heritage contexts in which conservation is carried out and how conservation practices can affect one another.
K21:
Interventive conservation measures related to area of practice.
K22:
Preventive conservation measures related to area of practice.
K23:
Advances in the body of knowledge and conservation practice for the specific field including use of artificial intelligence.
K28:
Strategies for widening access, inclusion and diversity related to area of work.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1469: Collections technician - Conservation technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1469A
- Status:
Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
S1:
Assess condition, stability and possible risks to an object in relation its location or intended use.
S2:
Identify and minimise challenges in environmental and biological conditions related to objects and or collections.
S3:
Select tools and equipment related to the specific task.
S4:
Assist with the identification of faults and maintenance of tools and equipment.
S6:
Undertake safe handling and movement of objects considering the physical safety of themself and others.
S7:
Carry out planned reviews to enable improvements to storage and display areas.
S8:
Keep storage areas and associated workspaces clean and tidy in line with policies and procedures.
S9:
Assist with object collections following care procedures.
S10:
Handle objects in a way that minimises risk to the object in line with organisations and sector guidelines.
S11:
Identify and select viable options before making decisions as to the final agreed approach.
S12:
Carry out procedures for assessment management and mitigation of risk.
S13:
Complete and maintain records and databases in line with organisational standards.
S14:
Document and report information about the condition of objects as per the organisation’s policies and procedures and industry guidelines.
S15:
Undertake and report on tasks within agreed timeframes and budgets and in line with curatorial and or collections care requirements.
S16:
Undertake work in a way that takes into account the specific security requirements of objects and collections.
S17:
Adapt communication to meet the needs of the audience, for example, internal and external stakeholders.
S18:
Develop a personal professional development plan linked to personal and professional development needs.
S19:
Select methods and materials to suit the object and the work to be carried out, in consultation with conservators and specialists.
S20:
Carry out interventive or preventive conservation measures in agreement with supervisor.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1469: Collections technician - Conservation technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1469A
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
B1:
Keeps up to date with industry best practice and seeks to continuously improve and develop.
B2:
Take personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes in how they carry out the duties of their role by reference to environmental good practice.
B3:
Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
B4:
Acts in a professional and ethical manner, embracing equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
B5:
Operate within the limits of own responsibility and seek support when required.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1469: Collections technician - Conservation technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1469A
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups: