Conservation Assistant at The Corning Museum of Glass – Corning, New York

About The Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) was established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation commemorating the company’s 100th anniversary. CMoG is an independent not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. Welcoming more than 300,000 annual visitors from around the world, the Museum's campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the premier glassworking schools in the world. CMoG was named by the New York Times among the U.S. museums to see for 2025, and Newsweek readers voted CMoG one of the Top 3 Best Art Museums in America.

Glass is a versatile, ancient material that is still being explored and understood by artists, scientists, and historians today. The story of glass is a story about art, history, culture, technology, science, craft, and design. 50,000+ objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in the Museum’s collection—ranging from a portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to a 200-inch telescope lens to contemporary sculpture. The Museum regularly publishes journals, educational videos and scholarly publications—many of which can be accessed online from anywhere in the world.

We believe that prioritizing diversity, opportunity, belonging, and accessibility strengthens our Museum and enhances our ability to connect with all communities. We are actively fostering an inclusive culture that values and respects a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Creating a culture of belonging is central to our mission and helps ensure the Museum is welcoming to all.

Summary

Assists in the physical care and preservation of the collection of glass and glass-related objects. Specializes in the care, cleaning and condition reporting of glass objects and sculptures. Other primary duties include examination and conditioning of objects for acquisition and loan approval. This is a three-month term appointment.

Responsibilities (Essential functions denoted with *)

Examines Museum objects requested for loan to other institutions, writes condition reports and recommendations.* Prepares collection objects for travel on loan including minor repairs, cleaning, and advises on packing/crating recommendations to ensure safety of object in transit.* Prepares collection objects for exhibition/display at CMoG including minor repairs, cleaning, condition reporting, and advises on object mounts to ensure safe display of objects.* Documents and enters condition and treatment reports into the collections database as needed. With fellow conservation staff, ensures that the handling and storage of conservation materials and the use of equipment in the conservation laboratory are in compliance with relevant federal and state regulations. Works with the Collections Management and Conservation staff in the care of glass and glass-related objects in the collection and on loan. Is familiar with and observes the requirements of all Museum standards and the Code of Ethics and Statement of Practice of the American Institute for Conservation.

General

Actively and intentionally support the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.* Actively support the Museum’s Advancement initiatives. Respect and exemplify the values of The Corning Museum of Glass in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public. Ability to represent the Museum in a professional manner. Adhere to all prescribed organizational and departmental policies and procedures. Appreciates cultural environments; interest in the arts and museums. Ability to work independently and as part of a team; strong collaboration skills.* Ability to work with minimum supervision.*

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Conservation Experience as an object conservator preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Experience handling glass desired. Ability to complete high quality treatments in a timely manner. Knowledge of Excel, Collections Management and Digital Asset Management systems, and other record-keeping programs. Highly accurate, detail-oriented and organized. Strong interpersonal skills; works effectively and professionally with people at all levels, including external stakeholders. Regional travel as needed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position, operate/use equipment, communicate, and detect or distinguish. The employee is frequently required to move about and reach. The employee is occasionally required to ascend/descend, position oneself, and detect or distinguish solvents in the workplace. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee is occasionally required to move or transport up to 25 pounds.

The work environment is regularly indoors and climate controlled. The employee is frequently exposed to odors, fumes, or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor not climate-controlled environment, wet/humid conditions (clean objects in a sink), work near moving parts, high, precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, risk of electrical shock, and radiation (works with XRF). The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Safety Responsibilities

The employee shall be fully acquainted with and comply with all safety policies and procedures of the Corning Museum of Glass.

Confidentiality

Maintain confidentiality of information related to the Corning Museum of Glass and employees that may be encountered, either formally or informally, during the normal course of business.

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Corning Museum of Glass as the needs of the Museum and requirements of the job change.

The pay range for this role is:24 - 27 USD per hour(Corning Museum of Glass)