About Company
Are you driven by the noble pursuit of preserving history for future generations? Hiring.zycto offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape in the heart of British Columbia. We are a leading organization dedicated to the meticulous care and conservation of significant heritage collections, encompassing diverse artifacts from Indigenous heritage to colonial history. Our conservators work in a collaborative environment, leveraging both traditional techniques and innovative scientific approaches. Join a passionate team where your expertise will directly impact the longevity and accessibility of invaluable cultural assets, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared past. We champion professional growth and provide a supportive setting for you to excel.
Job Description
As a Heritage Conservator at Hiring.zycto, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding our irreplaceable cultural and historical collections. Based in picturesque Kelowna, British Columbia, this full-time position demands a blend of scientific acumen, artistic skill, and a profound respect for the stories encapsulated within each artifact. You will be entrusted with the critical task of assessing, treating, and documenting a wide array of heritage materials, from delicate textiles and ancient documents to robust wooden structures and intricate archaeological finds. Your daily work will involve meticulous hands-on intervention, employing reversible and ethical conservation treatments to stabilize deterioration, repair damage, and prevent future decay, all while adhering to the highest international standards.
Beyond the bench, this role extends into the strategic management of our collections. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing comprehensive long-term preservation plans, including environmental monitoring and control within storage and exhibition spaces, integrated pest management strategies, and emergency preparedness protocols. Your expertise will guide decision-making regarding collection care, ensuring optimal conditions for both display and storage. Collaboration is key; you will work closely with curators, collection managers, researchers, and other specialists, contributing your conservation perspective to exhibition planning, loan arrangements, and public engagement initiatives.
Hiring.zycto is committed to advancing conservation science. This position offers opportunities to engage in applied research, evaluate new materials and methodologies, and share your knowledge through internal workshops and external professional forums. We seek a proactive individual who is passionate about continuous learning and dedicated to fostering best practices within the heritage sector. This is more than just a job; it’s a calling to ensure that the material culture of our past remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come, enriching our community and enlightening visitors from around the world.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct condition assessments, scientific analysis, and technical examinations of diverse heritage objects and collections.
- Develop and execute comprehensive, ethical, and reversible conservation treatments for a wide range of materials (e.g., paper, textiles, wood, metal, ceramics, archaeological materials).
- Document all conservation activities meticulously through written reports, photographic records, and scientific data, adhering to professional standards.
- Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, light levels) in storage and exhibition areas and recommend appropriate control measures.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of collection care policies, preventive conservation strategies, and emergency preparedness plans.
- Advise on safe handling, packing, shipping, and installation procedures for artifacts during exhibitions, loans, and transit.
- Collaborate with curators, exhibition designers, and collection managers on project planning and object interpretation.
- Conduct or participate in research related to materials science, conservation techniques, and collection degradation.
- Assist in training and mentoring junior staff, interns, or volunteers in basic conservation principles and object handling.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe conservation laboratory environment.
Required Skills
- Master's degree in Conservation, Art History, Archaeology, or a related field with a specialization in conservation.
- Proven expertise in conservation ethics and international best practices.
- Proficiency in scientific analysis techniques applicable to heritage materials.
- Demonstrated practical skills in various conservation treatment methodologies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documentation and reporting.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with meticulous attention to detail.
- Manual dexterity and precision for hands-on conservation treatments.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Comprehensive knowledge of environmental control strategies for collections.
- Familiarity with collection management databases and digital documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Specialization in specific material types (e.g., organic materials, archaeological conservation, photographic materials).
- Experience with integrated pest management (IPM) in a heritage context.
- Proficiency in a second language, particularly French or an Indigenous language relevant to BC.
- Experience with grant writing or project management in conservation.
- Published research or presentations at professional conservation conferences or symposia.
- Professional membership in a recognized conservation organization (e.g., IIC, AIC, CAC).
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision).
- Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick leave.
- Opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance, workshops, and specialized training.
- Access to a well-equipped, state-of-the-art conservation laboratory.
- Collaborative and supportive team environment dedicated to cultural preservation.
- Contribution to significant and impactful cultural heritage initiatives.
- Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
- Employee assistance program for personal and professional support.
- Pension plan contributions.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a detailed cover letter outlining their conservation philosophy and relevant experience, along with a comprehensive resume, through the application link provided below. Please highlight any specific material specializations or notable projects. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Ensure you click on the link to apply for the job.
