25-4013.00 · Task explorer
Museum Technicians and Conservators: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 24 tasks, including 20 marked Core and 4 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2026.
24 tasks shown
Core · Task 3808 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
Core · Task 3813 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
Core · Task 3814 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff.
Core · Task 3806 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
Core · Task 3820 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method.
Core · Task 3809 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
Core · Task 3818 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
Core · Task 3822 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Perform tests and examinations to establish storage and conservation requirements, policies, and procedures.
Core · Task 3819 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used.
Core · Task 18643 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects.
Core · Task 18644 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Photograph objects for documentation.
Core · Task 21065 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Enter information about museum collections into computer databases.
Core · Task 3823 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Plan and conduct research to develop and improve methods of restoring and preserving specimens.
Core · Task 3810 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
Core · Task 3817 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.
Core · Task 3824 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
Core · Task 3825 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Estimate cost of restoration work.
Core · Task 3807 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials.
Core · Task 18646 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Deliver artwork on courier trips.
Core · Task 3811 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Supervise and work with volunteers.
Supplemental · Task 3826 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Preserve or direct preservation of objects, using plaster, resin, sealants, hardeners, and shellac.
Supplemental · Task 3815 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
Supplemental · Task 3828 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Construct skeletal mounts of fossils, replicas of archaeological artifacts, or duplicate specimens, using a variety of materials and hand tools.
Supplemental · Task 18645 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Lead tours and teach educational courses to students and the general public.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
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