Preventive conservation Intern Heritage Interiors

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Duties

In the Heritage Interiors Division at CCI, we work with clients to ensure that furnishings, fittings, integrated art, architectural and built heritage elements under their stewardship are soundly managed and sustainably preserved over time.

We are a multidisciplinary team that leverages CCI’s expertise and approaches in managing risk, to meet the current and emerging needs of the stewards of the built heritage, ranging from curators, property and project managers, conservation architects and engineering specialists. The Intern takes part in the daily activities of the Division, working under the supervision of senior staff. Collectively we provide a wide range of advisory and technical services, to assist organizations in sound decision-making related to building features, that may include decorative and applied treatments, carved, sculpted elements, public art installations, and historic fittings such as lighting and furnishings.
The focus of this work is to promote preventive conservation measures and sound collections management processes, to provide advice on the risks and benefits of proposed interventions, and to offer investigative processes such as architectural paint research to support clients in their proposed actions. Conservation in a built heritage setting may follow multiple paths ranging from restoration, preservation as well as rehabilitation or adaptation to meet new requirements. The Conservation Intern will provide a supporting role and be engaged with the team in providing these services primarily to Federal Government Department clients, as well as select projects from historic sites and other built heritage stewards.

The Intern can expect to be engaged in: using the CCI Risk Framework model; conducting literature searches; discussing and formulating recommendations; applying the principles outlined in the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Properties in Canada; participating in evidence-based thinking in making informed treatment decisions. This Internship will include select hands-on activity related to architectural paint investigation and processing of samples, investigative site work within buildings, facilities, and warehouses. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with other preventive conservation advisors and senior scientific staff, engaging with others inside and outside the Institute.

Work environment

CCI is one of the few heritage conservation organizations with a national mandate and is renowned internationally for its expertise and leadership. Working at CCI means collaborating with a team of conservation professionals in conservation treatment, preventive conservation, and conservation science, and with specialists in publications, communications, and training. Having all these specialties under one roof leads to many opportunities for developing innovative and inclusive multidisciplinary approaches. CCI staff work with their clients – heritage professionals and institutions (e.g., museums, libraries, archives, cultural centres) as well as stewards of built heritage in Canada, including Public Services Procurement Canada (PSPC). They also maintain close connections with organizations and colleagues from around the world to collaborate on research projects or to share their knowledge at professional conferences.

The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) is part of the Department of Canadian Heritage, which is committed to building a culturally safe and accessible workplace. Diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse abilities and from all backgrounds and identities, including members belonging to one or more of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous Peoples, Racialized Communities, Persons with Disabilities, and equity-deserving groups such as LGBTQ2+.

Indigenous communities (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) in Canada are diverse and have customs that dictate the care and handling of sacred or other important items. CCI recognizes the importance of respecting all such protocols and strengthening partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, guided by reconciliation. As such, CCI recognizes the special status of Indigenous applicants as the holders of unique, constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Intent of the process

The position will be staffed for a specified period (12 month starting ideally in April 2022). A pool of fully or partially qualified candidates resulting from this selection process may be created and may be used to fill the same or similar positions within the Canadian Conservation Institute.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
Recent graduation* from a post-secondary program in a relevant field** or an acceptable combination*** of education, training and /or experience.

* i.e., within the last 5 years
** e.g., Conservation, Building Science, Heritage Conservation, Museum Studies or Collections Management.
*** Successful completion of two years of an acceptable post-secondary educational program in a specialty or field relevant to the position in combination with 3 years work experience in built heritage trades such as carpentry, masonry, architectural history.

Degree equivalency

Experience
- Experience in participating in heritage preventive conservation projects, such as: facilities planning, collection assessment or building assessment.

- Experience in the use of databases, spreadsheets, and related software, to organize and present information and control vocabulary when describing collections and heritage assets.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Competencies
• Thinking things through
• Working Effectively with others
• Communication (Oral and Written)
• Service Excellence
• Heritage preventive conservation

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

Asset Qualifications
- Experience in sharing knowledge through written products (reports, conferences papers, journal articles, online media products, social media posts), etc.

- Knowledge of recognized methodologies (e.g., ABC Method, CPRAM) for risk assessment of cultural heritage, in particular elements of risk in handling, transport, and storage.

-Knowledge of architectural terminology and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada in the conservation context of building restoration, preservation, or rehabilitation.

Organizational Needs
In support of achieving a representative workforce and our employment equity goals, consideration may be given to qualified candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the Employment Equity groups: Women, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with a disability and members of visible minorities.

Operational Requirements
- Willingness to telework.
- Willingness to work on-site, within a heritage building or site, or in a heritage -related construction site, and ability to use ladders, scaffolding, and related platforms to access site features (“working from heights”).
-Willingness and ability to work overtime, occasionally on short notice

Conditions of employment
- Security clearance – Reliability status
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

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

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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