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Lead Preparator

Employer
University of Miami
Location
Coral Gables, FL

View more

Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Job location: Coral Gables, FL


Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2019-09-16
Req: R100035102
Current Employees:
If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position using the Career worklet, please review this tip sheet.

Where Excellence Meets Purpose

The University of Miami is among the top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation, and one of the largest private employers in South Florida.

With more than 16,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful purpose to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

The University is committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to add value.  Through values of Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity, and Teamwork (DIRECCT) the U community works together to create an environment driven by purpose, excellence, community, and service.

The University has been named on Forbes's Best Employers list for two consecutive years, and is the only university in Florida to receive this honor.

Lead Preparator

A critical member of the Lowe’s fast-paced Collections and Exhibition Services Team, the Lead Preparator is a hands-on, detail-oriented manager who oversees all aspects of the Museum's art handling and exhibition projects. Reports to the Assistant Director for Collections and Exhibition Services.

Core Duties:
• Create, develop, and implement all aspects of museum-grade fine art exhibition and display.
• Create design renderings and/or 3D models of fine art exhibitions and their display spaces.
• Develop, implement, and oversee all aspects of fine art exhibition installations and deinstallations, including designing and creating display cases and mounts for high-value artworks; preparing gallery walls; building custom exhibition furniture; creating and installing all graphic elements; and exhibition lighting.
• Coordinate and manage daily activities of fine art installation staff and contract service providers, including working with exhibiting artists; scheduling and assigning work; directing and leading workers in completing assigned work; monitoring work and project activity progress/making changes as necessary; completing performance evaluations of assigned staff; performing quality assurance checks.
• Design and construct pedestals, props, environments, casework, interpretive materials, and museum graphics.
• Design, fabricate, and manage fine art storage systems.
• Prepare high-value collection items for exhibition including matting and framing and/or mounting.
• Ensure optimal condition of the Museum’s exhibition galleries on a daily basis.
• Manage/maintain inventories of exhibition display furniture and equipment.
• Manage/maintain installation-related tools and equipment in good working order.
• Track budget for area of responsibility; provide time and workforce needs and estimates to higher-level management based on cost analyses; ensure work is completed on time and on budget.
• Supervise staff training on operation of tools and equipment associated with woodworking, electrical, light construction, and audio-visual and computer displays.
• Implement, interpret, and manage policies and procedures pertaining to installation and gallery management, including health and safety programs and training.
• Work independently and assume direct responsibility for complex tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• B.A. required; M.A. or M.F.A. preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience in museum, gallery, or related setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of professional art handling and exhibition installation methods.
• Carpentry and woodshop tools and equipment experience.
• Knowledge of art/museum security systems and procedures.
• Digital exhibition layout and design experience.
• Principles and practices of museum exhibit and display design, construction and finishing, carpentry work, alterations and repairs.
• Lighting techniques in a gallery setting.
• Display construction in a museum/gallery setting.
• The occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade.
• Mount making and preservation techniques.
• Exhibit installation and picture framing and hanging.
• Exhibit scheduling and coordination techniques.
• Technical event arrangement requirements including sound and lighting systems, or other specialized equipment.
• Staff hiring procedures.
• Project management principles, practices, techniques, and tools.
• Budget and fiscal management processes and procedures.
• Fine art handling and crating, carpentry and fabrication, and/or exhibit preparation.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously and operate in a fast-paced installation environment.
• Team player with ability to work well with others.
• Effectively communicate with others in producing desired exhibitions.
• Work under the pressure of deadlines.
• Safely operate woodworking and painting equipment.
• Operate a fork lift safely.
• Maintain effective supervisory relationships.
• Make effective decisions impacting projects.
• Determine labor, equipment, and material costs on projects.
• Manage budgets and expenditures.
• Set up facilities to determined specifications.
• Package products for shipping/delivery.
• Maintain accurate and thorough records.
• Handle and install works of art in all media.
• Utilize painting and carpentry skills.
• Solve construction and display problems.
• Be flexible in context of changing schedules and designs.
• Work with a wide range of artists in different media (including electronic media) to resolve installation concerns in a timely and courteous manner.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds, work on lift equipment at heights up to 24 feet, and have a valid drivers’ license.



The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

Pay Grade:

c104

Organization

The University of Miami is one of America's top research universities located in one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world.

A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System (“UHealth”) have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation. The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service

The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs. Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019. With more than $413 million in research and sponsored program expenditures annually, the University of Miami is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Only 3 percent of four-year institutions in the nation are invited to join the AAU, which recognizes breadth and quality of research and scholarship. While the majority of this work is housed at the Miller School of Medicine, investigators conduct hundreds of studies in other areas, including marine science, engineering, education, and psychology.

The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022.

Transforming lives

With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

The University is committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to add value. Through values of Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity, and Teamwork (DIRECCT) the U community works together to create an environment driven by purpose, excellence, community, and service.

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