Asian Art Museum
Senior Museum Preparator (3522)
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Senior Museum Preparator (3522)
– Asian Art Museum, City and County of San Francisco
Location: 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Position: Senior Museum Preparator (3522)
Type: Full-time
Job Code and Title: 3522-Senior Museum Preparator
Fill Type: Permanent Civil Service
Compensation: USD 33,663 – USD 40,963 hourly
Application Opening: 12/12/2025
Application Deadline: 01/11/2026
Please apply directly to the City of San Francisco: https://us.smrtr.io/4nNsy
Job Description Overtime eligibility – Covered (Non-Z) – Nonexempt; Labor agreement – SEIU Local 1021.
The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled Senior Museum Preparator to support construction, installation, de‑installation, and safe handling of artworks for exhibitions and gallery rotations. Working closely with a cross‑departmental creative team, this role helps bring exhibitions to fruition through expert craftsmanship, problem‑solving, and thoughtful design collaboration.
Major, Important, and Essential Duties
Confers with curatorial, design, and other staff to plan and construct exhibit components; designs and builds installation elements such as showcases, pedestals, partitions, and special effects; paints and wallpapers exhibition spaces; adjusts and installs lighting; hangs artworks and sets up sculptures; and serves as a lead during installation, removal, and salvage of exhibition fixtures.
Prepares cost and material estimates for construction and installation projects; requisitions lumber, supplies, and specialized equipment.
Packs, ships, receives, and unpacks paintings and other valuable objects; supervises storage and inventory of paintings, statuary, and furniture; notifies the registrar of any discrepancies.
Uses professional‑grade hand and power tools for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and mount fabrication, including constructing cases, pedestals, mounts, and display furniture using conservation‑safe materials and methods.
Ensures all work aligns with museum conservation standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices, including PPE use, equipment safety, and proper artwork handling procedures.
Work Environment & Physical Demands Work occurs in active gallery, workshop, and storage environments requiring the following:
Standing, bending, and lifting.
Climbing ladders or scaffolding.
Performing fine‑motor tasks.
Safely handling and moving heavy, delicate, or high‑value artworks.
Early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required for installation schedules.
Qualifications Education
Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, or a related field.
Experience
Two (2) years of verifiable experience in:
Preparation, fabrication, installation, and care of valuable artworks.
Museum mount‑making.
Building exhibition furniture.
Working in a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program.
Additional full‑time work experience may substitute for required education on a year‑for‑year basis (2,000 hours = 1 year). One year of work experience equals 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.
License/Certification
Valid California Driver’s License.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience supervising or leading installation teams.
Experience preparing exhibitions in a fine‑art museum.
Knowledge of museum mount‑making materials and methods.
Familiarity with digital tools for shop drawings and basic design layouts.
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any stage. Falsifying education, work experience, or training may result in disqualification.
Information on verifying educational requirements, including foreign degree equivalency, is available at: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education.
For additional information and to apply to this position: https://us.smrtr.io/4nNsy
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
#J-18808-Ljbffr
– Asian Art Museum, City and County of San Francisco
Location: 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Position: Senior Museum Preparator (3522)
Type: Full-time
Job Code and Title: 3522-Senior Museum Preparator
Fill Type: Permanent Civil Service
Compensation: USD 33,663 – USD 40,963 hourly
Application Opening: 12/12/2025
Application Deadline: 01/11/2026
Please apply directly to the City of San Francisco: https://us.smrtr.io/4nNsy
Job Description Overtime eligibility – Covered (Non-Z) – Nonexempt; Labor agreement – SEIU Local 1021.
The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled Senior Museum Preparator to support construction, installation, de‑installation, and safe handling of artworks for exhibitions and gallery rotations. Working closely with a cross‑departmental creative team, this role helps bring exhibitions to fruition through expert craftsmanship, problem‑solving, and thoughtful design collaboration.
Major, Important, and Essential Duties
Confers with curatorial, design, and other staff to plan and construct exhibit components; designs and builds installation elements such as showcases, pedestals, partitions, and special effects; paints and wallpapers exhibition spaces; adjusts and installs lighting; hangs artworks and sets up sculptures; and serves as a lead during installation, removal, and salvage of exhibition fixtures.
Prepares cost and material estimates for construction and installation projects; requisitions lumber, supplies, and specialized equipment.
Packs, ships, receives, and unpacks paintings and other valuable objects; supervises storage and inventory of paintings, statuary, and furniture; notifies the registrar of any discrepancies.
Uses professional‑grade hand and power tools for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and mount fabrication, including constructing cases, pedestals, mounts, and display furniture using conservation‑safe materials and methods.
Ensures all work aligns with museum conservation standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices, including PPE use, equipment safety, and proper artwork handling procedures.
Work Environment & Physical Demands Work occurs in active gallery, workshop, and storage environments requiring the following:
Standing, bending, and lifting.
Climbing ladders or scaffolding.
Performing fine‑motor tasks.
Safely handling and moving heavy, delicate, or high‑value artworks.
Early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required for installation schedules.
Qualifications Education
Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, or a related field.
Experience
Two (2) years of verifiable experience in:
Preparation, fabrication, installation, and care of valuable artworks.
Museum mount‑making.
Building exhibition furniture.
Working in a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program.
Additional full‑time work experience may substitute for required education on a year‑for‑year basis (2,000 hours = 1 year). One year of work experience equals 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.
License/Certification
Valid California Driver’s License.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience supervising or leading installation teams.
Experience preparing exhibitions in a fine‑art museum.
Knowledge of museum mount‑making materials and methods.
Familiarity with digital tools for shop drawings and basic design layouts.
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any stage. Falsifying education, work experience, or training may result in disqualification.
Information on verifying educational requirements, including foreign degree equivalency, is available at: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education.
For additional information and to apply to this position: https://us.smrtr.io/4nNsy
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
#J-18808-Ljbffr