Stream 1: Conservator (GT-06) / Stream 2: Assistant Conservator (GT-04) - Fine art

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

***Please answer all screening questions unless otherwise specified.***

You must clearly demonstrate on your application, via the screening questions, how you meet each of the essential and asset merit criteria. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of your application.

When responding to screening questions, please be sure to provide comprehensive examples from your work experience that clearly demonstrate how you meet the identified education and experience criteria. Your answer should clearly identify your role in the noted example. A job title alone does not demonstrate that you have the requisite level of experience, so be sure to explain relevant responsibilities and/or actions that you took. Failure to complete the questionnaire or failure to provide sufficient details to the questions will result in your elimination from this process.

Duties

STREAM 1 (GT-06):

Conserves fine art* by developing, planning, coordinating and conducting conservation and restoration treatment projects. Leads and works independently on conservation and development projects and contributes to projects led by others;

Provides advice and services to clients with respect to preventive conservation, treatment and other preservation issues that may involve site visits, on-site work, surveys, development of publications, training and responding to client requests and inquiries;

Develops and gives training in own area of specialization in seminars and workshops, and supervises fine art conservation interns;

Tests, records and reports on conservation treatment development projects;

Communicates concepts, ideas and research results to national and international clients, scientists, conservators and non-technical individuals through written reports and publications or oral communications, including meetings and conferences, in order to advance the science and art of conservation, enhance collaboration with colleagues, and act as an advocate for conservation.

* “Fine art” may include the following: historical paintings (pre-20th century) and modern and contemporary art.

STREAM 2 (GT-04):

Carries out conservation treatment of fine art* under supervision; influences the direction of own conservation projects;

Provides clients with advice on preventive conservation, treatment and other preservation issues;

Helps give training in seminars and workshops;

Carries out and records the results of tests related to innovative conservation treatment development projects;

Communicates, in written reports and publications or oral communications concepts, ideas and research findings to national and international clients, scientists, conservators and non-technical individuals.

* “Fine art” may include the following: historical paintings (pre-20th century) and modern and contemporary art.

Work environment

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) is looking to hire up to two conservators specialized in fine art. This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic team and work on some of the most significant artworks in Canada, to carry out research and develop new treatments in collaboration with conservator and scientist colleagues nationally and internationally, and to share your knowledge through training and publications with Canada’s museums and other heritage workers.

Intent of the process

The purpose of this process is to staff two (2) indeterminate positions at the Conservator (GT-06) and/or Assistant Conservator (GT-04) level.

A pool of fully or partially qualified candidates resulting from this selection process will be created and will be used to fill the same or similar GT-04 and/or GT-06 positions with various linguistic profiles and language requirements (such as English or French essential, bilingual imperative / non-imperative level BBB/BBB), various security requirements (reliability, secret) as well as tenures (term, indeterminate) within the Canadian Conservation Institute.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION

ALL STREAMS

Graduation with a Master’s degree in conservation from a *recognized post-secondary institution or a diploma from a two year program of studies in conservation from a
*recognized post secondary institution, with a specialization in conservation, and **equivalent experience.

The applicant must have ***specialized training in fine art conservation.

*A “recognized” post-secondary institution is one that has provincial or territorial degree/diploma-granting status, or a university/college outside Canada of which the programs/degrees are accepted by a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.
**Equivalent experience: Candidate must demonstrate that he/she has two years of additional experience in conservation following graduation from a program of studies.
*** Specialized is defined as having completed fine art conservation courses and workshops.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

ALL STREAMS

In addition to meeting the education requirements, the successful candidate must have ****extensive and *****recent experience in specialized fine art conservation.

Experience in designing and managing own conservation projects to achieve project objectives.

**** Extensive is defined as having carried out the activity as a principle duty for a minimum of two (2) years for the GT-04 position and a minimum of five (5) years for the GT-06 position.

***** Recent means that some part of the extensive experience must have been acquired within the last two (2) years.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
GT-04: English or French essential
GT-06: Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB
Please note that unilingual candidates are encouraged to apply as we will be creating a pool of candidates for unilingual positions.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

ALL STREAMS

Knowledge of fine art science and technology.

Knowledge of techniques for assessing the condition and conservation needs of fine art.

Knowledge of conservation principles and methodologies for the conservation treatment and preservation of fine art.

Knowledge of ethical conservation issues related to fine art conservation.

ABILITIES

ALL STREAMS

Ability to plan and carry out conservation treatment projects.

Ability to engage in critical and conceptual thinking.

Ability to be innovative.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES

ALL STREAMS

Client focus
Initiative
Results orientation
Teamwork effectiveness
Networking

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION

STREAM 1 (GT-06)

Professional accreditation by the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators (CAPC) or equivalent international accreditation.

EXPERIENCE

ALL STREAMS

Experience in conservation treatment and preservation of contemporary art (e.g. time based media, mixed-media, installation, etc.).

Experience in the conservation treatment of fine art on non-canvas supports.

Experience in the conservation of heritage interiors (e.g. painted plaster, and painted canvas attached to walls).

Experience in the conservation of polychrome finishes typically found on wooden sculptures.

Experience or demonstrated interest in conservation-related research.

STREAM 1 (GT-06)

Experience in developing and giving training to interns, conservators and clients.

Experience in writing and publishing specialized professional papers, articles and reports and giving conference presentations.

STREAM 2 (GT-04)

Experience making presentations or speaking in front of groups of professionals.

KNOWLEDGE

ALL STREAMS

Knowledge of the Canadian Conservation Institute mandate, mission and services.

Knowledge of the Canadian Heritage community.

STREAM 1 (GT-06)

Knowledge of a broad range of traditional and new paint media.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
Willingness and ability to travel.
Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Only jobs.gc.ca online applications will be considered. If accessibility to jobs.gc.ca is unavailable, please email your cover letter and résumé to Jane Matta by email at and indicate the reason why you cannot apply online. Verification/validation of your request will be required before your application is accepted.

Reference checks will be sought.

A written exam will be administered.

An interview will be administered.

Please note that asset qualifications may be invoked at any time of the selection process, including the screening stage.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

You must be prepared to provide the original, or a certified copy, of your educational credentials. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/indexe.stm.

For this selection process, our intention is to communicate with the candidates by email. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). If you do not wish to receive information by email, it is your responsibility to inform us.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, will be used to evaluate the candidates.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.