Preparator, Carpenter

THE OPPORTUNITY
Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art, boasting more than 18,000 inspiring artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary video installations. Dynamic special exhibitions, cultural celebrations, and public programs for all ages provide rich art experiences that unlock the past and spark questions about the future.

The Asian Art Museum is actively recruiting for a Preparator, Carpenter to join our team. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organization that values creativity, teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion and where you will be surrounded by a diverse, talented, and enthusiastic group of colleagues. The Preparator, Carpenter (referred to as the Preparator) specializes in the fabrication, construction, and installation of museum exhibits, the Preparator participates in the production of displays, casework, furniture, and visitor amenities for in-person museum experiences, which include but are not limited to special exhibitions, collection galleries, programs, and events. The incumbent also assists in all preparation, construction, installation, and de-installation of exhibits and/or works of art; paints; lays out, moves, and places walls, platforms, and casework; loads and unloads art objects; handles, moves, hangs, and installs art objects; installs labels, text panels, other signage/graphics, lighting, and AV equipment as needed to produce experiences for the museum’s public, donors, staff, and other stakeholders. This position serves as the lead Carpenter and may lead installations and de-installations.

The position regularly engages with staff, vendors, visitors, volunteers, members, and colleagues in a personable and respectful manner. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in the production design, fabrication, and installation of furniture and displays for exhibitions.


• Leads collaborative, cross-departmental teams of team members and as-needed contractors to prepare, construct, install, and de-install exhibits, programs, and events; build showcases, mounts, partitions, platforms, pedestals, and temporary walls; paint with brushes, rollers, and spray equipment.


• Assists in exhibition planning logistics including staging, layout, and install; reads and interprets plan drawings and schematics and proides layout/installation directions for other staff; ensures appropriate tools and equipment are available for efficient and proper installation.


• Fabricates boxes, containers, crates, and conveyances for the storage and transit of art; retrofits existing crates and containers.


• Assists in estimating costs and getting quotes from third-party vendors and contracts work as needed.


• Ensures organization, cleanliness and safety of woodshop and related work areas; implements and leads training and safe operation of equipment including table saw, band saw, sliding compound miter saw, drill press, air compressors, pneumatic tools, and cordless power tools as required.


• Participates in production design of casework and furniture, ensuring that sustainability, preservation and aesthetic requirements for display of artwork are met.


• Recommends and orders equipment, tools and supplies as needed; oversees maintenance, repair and inventory of related tools, supplies, and equipment.


• Prepares, hangs, installs, and de-installs art objects utilizing proper handling and security techniques.


• Assists in all preparation, construction, installation, and de-installation of exhibits and/or works of art; paints; lays out, moves, and places walls, platforms, and casework; loads and unloads art objects; handles, moves, hangs, and installs art objects; installs labels, text panels, other signage/graphics, lighting, and AV equipment as needed to produce experiences for the museum’s public, donors, staff, and other stakeholders.


• Assists in the Supervision of on-call Preparators and may serve as the lead on installs and deinstalls.


• Performs other related duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma/GED and five years of art installation experience including museum experience in production design and installation of exhibit furniture and casework or comparable commercial experience with three years’ of experience running a woodshop including directing the work of other team members, such as junior carpenters, carpenters or finishers. A combination of education and related experience will be considered.


• Associate degree preferred.


• Knowledge of basic accounting and budgeting practices.


• Excellent communication skills, spoken and written; direct experience translating details of shop drawings into production.


• Skill in rough and finish carpentry, framing, cabinetry, variety of finishes and finishing techniques, adhesives, fasteners, power and pneumatic tools; the safe use and operation of heavy equipment in work areas and galleries; woodshop related safety codes, ordinances, and regulations.


• Construction project management acumen and ability to prioritize tasks for delegation to a team with a concern for detail, accuracy, and efficiency in the execution of projects.


• Strong knowledge of variety of material handling processes including lumber, plastics and signage materials; working knowledge of current drafting software.


• Knowledge of industry sustainability best practices.


• Ability to act as professional mentor to newer team members, sharing both hard and soft skills related to project work.


• Ability to work in an effective and efficient manner with regard to time, materials and safety.


• Knowledge of art crate construction and container fabrication techniques; how to stabilize art while in transit; and techniques of art handling, installation, and de-installation for three dimensional objects.


• Ability to walk, bend, climb stairs, use ladders to access various areas of the museum and complete necessary maintenance, and lift and move objects up to 50 pounds independently or with a team.


• Ability to physically handle delicate and valuable works of art with extreme care.


• Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in problem solving and working with artists; function efficiently under pressure with conflicting demands; work from sketches and follow oral descriptions or instructions; successfully articulate fabrication needs and concepts to coworkers.


• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships with a wide variety of people; and meet established deadlines, respond to emergency situations quickly and effectively.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Preparators workshop, warehouse, museum, and office environments.


• Long periods of standing or physical activity within a Construction/Jobsite environment, including wood dust, paint fumes, and other environmental hazards.


• Required to use Personal Protective Equipment as needed.

Compensation

The Asian Art Museum is committed to practicing salary transparency. The hourly range for this position is $33.2620 - $39.9485/hr. This FLSA non-exempt opportunity includes a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Fully covered medical, dental and vision insurance for employee 


• 12 paid holidays (2024) 


• 15 days of vacation starting  


• 12 days of sick leave 


• Group retirement plan starting after one year of employment 

This position is represented by Local 1021, Service Employees International Union.  

New hires typically start at the beginning of the wage range.  

OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS 

At the Asian Art Museum, we are dedicated to ideating, building, and holding ourselves accountable for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion in everything we do. We strive to foster a culture of respect, belonging and inclusivity for all employees.  

Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences. We provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds. 

Diversity of thought and experience is essential to our mission, and we are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

Apply online at https://about.asianart.org/careers/. Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable candidate experience is critical for us. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria described. Candidates deemed to be the most highly qualified will be invited to participate in the interview process. Our interview process tends to take about 4 weeks to complete but may fluctuate depending on the role. Appointment is subject to completion of a thorough background check process. 

The Asian Art Museum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories (arrest and criminal histories) consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.