Departmental Assistant

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About the UMass Fine Arts Center

Since its founding in 1975, the UMass Fine Arts Center has been a central force in the cultural, social, and academic life of the University, the Five College campuses, and the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The Fine Arts Center's combination of educational, visual, and performing arts programs not only makes us unique, but it also secures a very vital and necessary position for us to meet the diverse needs of scholars, faculty, students, alumni, and the broader community.

Job Summary

The Fine Arts Center (FAC) Art Preparator works with the staff of the University Museum of Contemporary Art, Augusta Savage Gallery and Hampden Gallery to assists with installation and deinstallation of exhibitions, museum and gallery modifications, repairs and maintenance.

Essential Functions

• Creates collection storage areas:
  • Assembles and arranges steel shelving for collection storage;
  • Measures, cuts and places shelf liners;
  • Moves pieces from permanent collection onto shelving;
  • Researches reframing costs for paintings and works on paper.
• Assists with installation and deinstallation of exhibitions:
  • Prepares spaces and displays in advance of exhibition installations;
  • Assists with construction of pedestals, display cases, panels and other types of exhibition display;
  • Paints walls and display-related objects;
  • May assist others as a courier accompanying valuable objects of art in transit as required; may assist in installation of those objects.
• Assists with collections care:
  • Frames and unframe works on paper;
  • Rehouses works on paper;
  • Makes storage boxes and print sleeves.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Qualified art preparator experience.
• Skilled hand work with a sensitivity working with fragile works of art
• Ability to read plans and measure, cut and assemble a variety of materials including, but not limited to, wood, metal, drywall and plexiglass.
• Ability to work with hand and power tools safely and to ensure compliance with workplace safety standards.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Carrying, lifting up to 25 pounds.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5pm.
• Additional hours may be required to prepare for exhibitions.
• Must be able to work flexible and variable hours including occasional evenings and weekends.
• This is a temporary, unbenefited position.

Salary Information

$27.50/hour.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.