The Washington Conservation Guild’s celebrated 3-Ring Circus
is returning again this season! Once again, it will be held at the S. Dillon Ripley
Center of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC with reception from 5-
6:30pm and presentations from 6:30-7:30pm. The official date will be released by
December 2026 but will tentatively be held in mid-January 2027.

Photo by erictompkins on Unsplash

Come one, come all! We’d love to hear about the projects that have kept you busy
during this last year. We invite you to submit proposals for talks on any
conservation-related topics, be that treatment, analysis, prevention, education,
advocacy, ethics, access, and beyond. This is a great opportunity for professionals
at any stage of their career, so throw your hat in the ring to share your work with our membership!

The talks are no more than 15 minutes each, and nine will be selected.
Please submit an abstract to 3-Ring@washingtonconservationguild.org by EOD November 6th, 2026.

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is full-time salaried position paying $77,813.00 per annum. The Walters Art Museum provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, prescription, vision, subsidized transportation and parking, museum membership, short term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, FSA (flexible spending account), 457b retirement, and free professional financial management counseling. This is a 100% onsite position and is part of the AFSCME-WWU collective bargaining unit.

Institution: Walters Art Museum
600 N Charles St,
Baltimore, MD 21201

Application Deadline: No deadline listed

Brief Description:  The Associate Book Conservator is responsible for the preservation and conservation of the Walters’ collections of manuscripts, rare books, and works of art on paper. They will join a team of conservation professionals with specialties in objects, paintings, preventive, and conservation science. They will work collaboratively across the Department of Conservation, Collections, and Technical Research to implement exhibitions, installations, rotations, programs, and other projects. This role reports to the Managing Head of Conservation and Technical Research.

Contact Info/Link to Online Application:  Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. More information about the position and a link to the Walters Art Museum Jobs Board can be found here: Associate Book Conservator (38441)

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a salaried position with an annual pay of $110,000-$115,000. Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including fully-covered health, dental, and vision insurance for the individual and a generous 403b contribution and match, outlined at https://www.folger.edu/employee-benefits.

Institution: Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Application Deadline: No deadline listed. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Brief Description: The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, seeks a skilled conservation professional to lead the long-term care and treatment of its world-renowned collection as the next Eric Weinmann Head of Conservation and Preservation. This individual, reporting to the Associate Librarian for Collections Care and Development, oversees the Collections Division’s Conservation and Preservation program, including the strategic leadership for the safeguarding of printed books, manuscripts, paintings, works on paper, realia, and textiles across all spaces where collections are stored, displayed, used or transported. Working closely with colleagues across Collections and Exhibitions and throughout the institution, the Head of Conservation and Preservation ensures that Folger’s collections receive the highest standards of care and that both traditional and emerging preservation practices are integrated into institutional planning. 

The Head of Conservation and Preservation manages the Gundersheimer Conservation Lab and leads a dedicated team of four conservators. They oversee and complete complex treatments, establish preservation priorities, guide preventive strategies, and serve as a key advisor on loans, exhibitions, storage planning, and emergency preparedness. They also represent the team to external partners, support grant-funded conservation initiatives, and contribute to public engagement and professional dialogue. he Head of Conservation and Preservation supervises four full-time conservators including a Preventive Conservator and three Book and Paper Conservators, one of whom is focused on exhibitions. This role works with the Conservation team to oversee Conservation interns and fellows, ensuring that training aligns with professional standards and institutional goals, and that interns receive a comprehensive, high-quality experience. Additionally, this role may oversee any relevant contracted staff.  

The Head of Conservation and Preservation supervises four full-time conservators including a Preventive Conservator and three Book and Paper Conservators, one of whom is focused on exhibitions. This role works with the Conservation team to oversee Conservation interns and fellows, ensuring that training aligns with professional standards and institutional goals, and that interns receive a comprehensive, high-quality experience. Additionally, this role may oversee any relevant contracted staff.  

Contact Info/Link to Online Application: Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please. More information about the position and a link to the Folger’s online application system can be found here: Search for Jobs

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a full-time, salaried position paying $$75,000 – $105,000 per annum with benefits. LAC Federal offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options

Institution: LAC Federal offers research and project/information management services to a variety of federal agencies, sectors, and departments. A specific institution has not been listed for this job advert, but the position notes that the work location is in Bethesda, MD.

Application Deadline: No deadline listed. The position was posted on the AIC Career Center jobs board on May 30, 2026

Brief Description:

LAC Federal is seeking an experienced Rare Book and Paper Conservator to provide specialized conservation treatment, preservation support, and collections care services for rare and unique historical materials, including books, manuscripts, pamphlets, broadsides, and archival paper collections. This position supports the preservation and accessibility of historically significant biomedical collections used by researchers, scholars, and the public.

The ideal candidate will possess advanced technical conservation skills, experience working in library or archival conservation laboratories, and the ability to independently perform complex conservation treatments within a federal research library environment.

Contact Info/Link to Online Application:

LAC Federal – Rare Book and Paper Conservator

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: Full time, 7:00AM – 3:30PM, 5 day a week schedule working one weekend a month and availability for occasional evening events required. No salary or mention of benefits listed in the job posting. This is an hourly position with a rate of $15.53 to $23.22 per hour.

Institution: Dewitt Wallace Museum, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA

Application Deadline: No deadline listed. The position was posted on the Colonial Williamsburg jobs board on August 12, 2026

Brief Description:

Carries out the day-to-day efforts ensuring the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural assets by implementing preventative conservation procedures. To accomplish this, the Preventive Conservation Technician is responsible for the overall collections care, cleanliness, and monitoring as assigned. 

Contact Info/Link to Online Application:

​​Preventive Conservation Technician​ | OPEN TO EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CANDIDATES

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a full-time, salaried position paying $110,000 – $150.000 per annum with benefits. Benefits not listed in the job description, for more information please reach out to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Institution: Colonial Williamsburg, Bruton Heights Wallace Building
Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA

Application Deadline: No deadline listed. The position was initially posted on the Colonial Williamsburg jobs board on January 8, 2026, and then reposted on August 12, 2026

Brief Description: The Director of Conservation is responsible for enhancing the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural and historic assets by providing leadership and oversight of the Foundation’s innovative conservation department. To accomplish this, the Director oversees departmental priorities and production, manages the operating budget, and ensures the quality of analysis, care, surveys, treatment, and documentation. Additionally, the Director represents the department and articulates conservation issues throughout the institution; supports educational and interpretive efforts in the Historic Area and museums; participates in activities associated with donor development, grant writing, and other fundraising events; and acts as a liaison with outside individuals and organizations on conservation matters as needed.

Budgetary Responsibilities:  Annual operating budget of approx. $2.8M

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Directly supervises a team of professional conservation staff, including two (2) Conservators, five (5) Senior Conservators, two (2) Associate Conservators, and one (1) specialized conservation role supporting musical instruments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional conservation experience with an emphasis on 16th- to 20th-century British, European, and/or American objects.
• Evidence of scholarly or professional contributions, such as articles or other published works related to conservation practice or research.
• Demonstrated experience in bench work and the treatment of objects.
• Membership in a professional conservation organization.
• Teaching, training, or instructional experience.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary conservation facility.

Contact Info/Link to Online Application: 

More information about the posting and how to apply can be found here: Director of Conservation | OPEN TO EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CANDIDATES

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a full-time, salaried position paying $121,785 – $158,322 per annum with benefits.The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options. Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.

Institution/Work Location/s: Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560

Application Deadline: September 23rd, 2026

Brief Description: 

The Supervisory Conservator supervises and manages a professional team of conservators who hold expertise in areas such as paper, objects, costumes, and textiles. The Supervisory Conservator is responsible for the comprehensive administration of the conservation laboratories.

Contact Info/Link to Online Application: 

USAJOBS – Job Announcement

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a full-time, salaried position paying $66,158.00 – $105,667.00 per annum with benefits. For more information about potential benefits please visit: Benefits City of Fairfax, VA

Institution/Work Location/s: 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030, VA

Application Deadline: September 20, 2026

Brief Description: 

The position will be a member of the Historic Resources Division and will report to the Historic Resources Manager. Work is performed under the general direction of the Historic Resources Manager, who retains final approval authority over accessioning, deaccessioning, and loan decisions.  Work includes occasional evenings, weekend, and holiday hours when required for city meetings, site programming, special events, exhibition installations, or project coordination. Regular schedule is Monday – Friday.

The position supports the care, documentation, preservation, and exhibition of the City’s museum and archival collections across all historic sites, including the Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center, Historic Blenheim, and the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House.

Contact Info/Link to Online Application: 

Job Opportunities | City of Fairfax Job Opportunities

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With Nancy Bateman, Director of Collections; Bryn Cooley, Collections Manager; and Katie Terrell, Cataloger, Northwestern Terra Cotta Collection

Thursday, October 1, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Location:
401 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Please enter on G Street, NW
After 5:00 PM

Parking: Street Parking with meters
Nearest Metro station:
Judiciary Sq Metro (Red Line)
See website for amenities and accessibility.

Please join us for tours and a lecture on the Preservation of the Northwestern Terra Cotta Collection at the National Building Museum. The collections department is currently working on a digitization and cataloging project for their Northwestern Terra Cotta collection of architectural drawings. Their team of collections managers and catalogers will provide tours of storage and will talk about the history of the terra cotta company and industry in America, provenance of the collection, digitization, cataloging and conservation findings, concerns and solutions.

This event is free for WCG members and $10 for non-members.

Please contact membership@washingtonconservationguild.org if you need to check your membership status.

2026/2027 WCG season memberships are $35 for professionals, $25 for renewing emerging professionals, and free to emerging professionals who are entering their first season as a WCG member.
Join or renew at www.washingtonconservationguild.org/membership.

For more information about this season’s meetings, please visit
https://washingtonconservationguild.org/meeting-schedule-2026-2027-season/

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Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a full-time, limited-term grant funded position paying $60,000 per annum with benefits. The position is funded for 3-years. For more information about potential benefits please visit: The Mariners’ Museum and Park – Archaeological Conservator, Yorktown Collections

Institution/Work Location/s: 100 Museum Dr, Newport News, VA 23606

Application Deadline: October 9th, 2026

Brief Description: 

The Mariners’ Museum and Park is seeking an Archaeological Conservator for a grant-funded, 3-year position.  The conservator will undertake the assessment, direct treatment, and preventive conservation care of select objects recovered in the 1930s and 1980s from shipwrecks associated with the Siege of Yorktown (September – October 1781) at Yorktown, Virginia within the holding of The Mariners’ Museum and Park and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR). This position has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Rediscovering Our Revolutionary Tradition, which frames the scope of work performed.

Contact Info/Link to Online Application: 

The Mariners’ Museum and Park – Archaeological Conservator, Yorktown Collections

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