Job Description

Application Opening: 12/12/2025 
Application Deadline: 01/11/2026 
Recruitment ID: RTF0160551-01113426 

This is a Position-Based Test (PBT) conducted in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A. 
Learn more about the City’s hiring process: 
 

About the Asian Art Museum   

Located in the heart of San Francisco, the  Asian Art Museum houses one of the world’s premier collections of Asian art, with 20,000 artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary multimedia installations. Special exhibitions, cultural events, and dynamic programs bring art to life for diverse audiences. 

Job Description

Overtime eligibility - Covered (Non-Z) - Nonexempt

Labor agreement -  SEIU Local 1021

The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled Senior Museum Preparator to support the construction, installation, de-installation, and safe handling of artworks for exhibitions and gallery rotations. Working closely with a cross-departmental creative team, this role helps bring exhibitions to fruition through expert craftsmanship, problem-solving, and thoughtful design collaboration. 

Under direction, this position constructs museum-quality fixtures, showcases, pedestals, temporary walls, and mounts; installs and arranges exhibits; packs, unpacks, and oversees storage of art objects; and performs related duties as assigned. Work requires a high degree of manual dexterity and exceptional care in handling valuable artworks. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES 

The 3522 Senior Museum Preparator is distinguished from the 3524 Principal Museum Preparator in that the latter performs duties of a more difficult and complex nature and has greater supervisory responsibilities. Class 3522 Senior Museum Preparator is distinguished from Class 3520 Museum Preparator in that the latter is an entry level with no supervisory responsibility. Positions at this level require more knowledge, skills, abilities, and expertise than those of class 3520 and possess greater expertise than expected at the entry level. 

Major, Important, and Essential Duties 

1. Confers with curatorial, design, and other staff in planning and constructing exhibit components; designs and builds installation elements, such as showcases, pedestals, partitions, and special effects; paints and wallpapers exhibition spaces; adjusts and installs lighting; hangs artworks and sets up sculptures; and serves as a lead during installation, removal, and salvage of exhibition fixtures. 

1. Prepares cost and material estimates for construction and installation projects; requisitions lumber, supplies, and specialized equipment. 

1. Packs, ships, receives, and unpacks paintings and other valuable objects; supervises storage and inventory of paintings, statuary, and furniture; notifies the registrar of any discrepancies. 

1. Uses professional-grade hand and power tools for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and mount fabrication, including constructing cases, pedestals, mounts, and display furniture using conservation-safe materials and methods. 

1. Ensures all work aligns with museum conservation standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices, including PPE use, equipment safety, and proper artwork handling procedures. 

 

Work Environment & Physical Demands 

Work occurs in active gallery, workshop, and storage environments. Duties require: 

• Standing, bending, and lifting 

• Climbing ladders or scaffolding 

• Performing fine motor tasks 

• Safely handling and moving heavy, delicate, or high-value artworks 

Early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required for installation schedules. 

Qualifications

Education 

Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, or a related field. 

Experience 

Two (2) years of verifiable experience in: 

• Preparation, fabrication, installation, and care of valuable artworks 

• Museum mount-making 

• Building exhibition furniture 

• Working in a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program 

Substitution 

Additional full-time work experience (2,000 hours = 1 year) may substitute for required education on a year-for-year basis. 
One year of work experience equals 30 semester units or 45 quarter units. 

License/Certification 

Valid California Driver’s License. 

Desirable

Qualifications

 

• Experience supervising or leading installation teams 

• Experience preparing exhibitions in a fine art museum 

• Knowledge of museum mount-making materials and methods 

• Familiarity with digital tools for shop drawings and basic design layouts 

Verification of Education & Experience 

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any stage. 
Information on verifying educational requirements, including foreign degree equivalency, is available at: 
 

Note: Falsifying education, work experience, or training may result in disqualification. 

Selection Procedure 

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) (Weight: Qualifying) : Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum

Qualifications

(MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum

qualifications

.

Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) (Weight: 100%) : Candidates who meet minimum

qualifications

will be invited via a separate online link to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination. The purpose of the SQ Examination is to evaluate the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that candidates possess in job-related areas, which have been identified as critical for this position and include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of wood properties, fabrication materials, adhesives, fasteners, and finishing techniques used in museum exhibition construction.
• Knowledge of carpentry and cabinetmaking tools, materials, and procedures, including use and maintenance of hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of modern fabrication methods such as CAD, CNC manufacturing, and rapid prototyping.
• Knowledge of scheduling and sequencing of exhibition construction projects.
• Knowledge of safe operation of heavy and aerial equipment (scissor lifts, boom lifts, scaffolding) and related safety regulations.

Candidates must achieve a passing score to be placed on the confidential eligible list. 

 

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The list is valid for six (6) months and may be extended by the Human Resources Director. Lists may change as a result of appeals. 

Terms of Announcement & Appeal Rights 

Applicants must follow the terms stated in this announcement unless superseded by law. 
Clerical corrections may be posted at: 
 

Applicants may appeal under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1 within five (5) business days of announcement issuance. 

 

Additional Information

Additional Information

About Working for the City 

Links available at:  

• Hiring Process 

• Conviction History 

• Employee Benefits Overview 

• Equal Employment Opportunity 

• Disaster Service Worker 

• ADA Accommodation 

• Veterans Preference 

• Seniority Credit 

• Right to Work 

• Copies of Application Documents 

• Diversity Statement 

 

How to Apply 

All applications must be submitted online at: 
 

Public access computers are available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at: 

• Department of Human Resources, 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor 

• City Career Center, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110 

A confirmation email from  notification@smartrecruiters.com will be sent upon successful submission. 

For questions, contact: 
Andrea Bolt, Senior HR Analyst 
abolt@asianart.org  

Disaster Service Work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Local area, Monday to Friday, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Early shift,

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