Whatcom Museum Foundation Job Description

JOB TITLE                          Lead Preparator and Print Shop Technician 

DEPARTMENT                Exhibitions 

CLASSIFICATION         Non-exempt, Hourly, Full-time at 30 hours weekly 

BARGAINING UNIT     Teamsters Local 231 

RATE OF PAY                  $29.11 per hour DOE 

BENEFITS                          Medical, Dental, Vision, Holidays, PTO, Simple IRA Savings Plan 

Location

Onsite- The Whatcom Museum is in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington

Opening Date 10/7/2026

Closing Date

This position is open until it is filled. The hiring committee reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time; apply as soon as possible.

About the Whatcom Museum

Our Mission The Whatcom Museum serves as a bridge among diverse people, ideas, and traditions by fostering curiosity and joy about our world. We do this through exhibitions, events, educational programs, and collections reflective of the art, nature, Indigenous cultures, and history of our region and beyond. The Whatcom Museum is a nonprofit, 501c3, accredited through the American Alliance for Museums, and a Smithsonian Affiliate.

The Whatcom Museum campus includes three buildings in downtown Bellingham’s Arts District, holding art, nature, and Northwest history with over 70,000 visitors annually. The Old City Hall building houses permanent and long-term exhibitions featuring Pacific Northwest industry, local and natural history; the Lightcatcher Building showcases rotating art exhibits, The People of the Sea and Cedar gallery, the Family Interactive Gallery, and educational rooms; Old Fire Station no. 1 Building houses extensive photo archives- available for public view and appointments Wednesdays-Fridays from 1-5pm. Old City Hall and the Lightcatcher are open from Wednesday-Sunday from 12-5pm, the Family Interactive Gallery is open from 10-5pm Wednesday- Saturday and 12-5pm on Sunday. 

The Whatcom Museum acknowledges that we gather on the traditional territory of the Lhaq’temish – Lummi People – and the Nuxwsá7aq – Nooksack People – who have lived in the Coast Salish region from time immemorial. The Museum honors our relationship with all of our Coast Salish neighbors and our shared responsibilities to their homeland where we all reside today.

Job Summary

The Lead Preparator position works within the Exhibitions Department and directly with the museum Director of Exhibitions and Curator(s) to install and maintain permanent and temporary Museum exhibitions both onsite and off; develops, installs, and maintains exhibition didactics per the Director of Exhibitions. This position requires significant experience in building; technical knowledge of exhibition execution, A/V installation, and printing; developing exhibition work for artists through site specification; independent judgment to coordinate activities related to the Museum’s collections and exhibitions.

Supervisory Relationship

Reports to the Director of Exhibitions and works closely with the Director of Collections and corresponding teams. Where appropriate, and under the supervision of the Director of Exhibitions, coordinates the activities of work study employees, volunteers, and student interns assigned to exhibition installation. Works independently under the guidance of Museum policies and procedures, adhering to all relevant city, state, and federal rules, regulations and guidelines. After 90 days of this new hire, the exhibitions department will work with the collections department to assess supervisory communications and workflow- this may lead to reporting to the Exhibition Coordinator. 

Essential Functions of the Position

• Works with Director of Exhibitions and within an exhibitions prep team of two to handle and install artwork and cultural artifacts aligned with accredited museum best practices
• Constructs walls, pedestals, object mounts, exhibition environments, interpretive panels, wall text and didactics
• Installs and deinstalls physical configurations and support systems for Whatcom Museum exhibition displays, storage, and traveling exhibitions
• Works with Collections Department to transport, clean, pack, mount, frame and generally care for the Whatcom Museum Collections per best practices.
• Works with the Photo Archivist to print orders when needed.
• Photographs collection objects and exhibition loans for documentation and publication.
• Prepares galleries for installation- including patching, painting, building, fabricating, and developing temporary walls
• Maintains preparator shop, printshop, and specialty fabrication spaces- including overseeing safety, organization, and overall cleanliness
• Executes large-scale printing and fabrication for gallery spaces for temporary and permanent exhibits
• Installs and repairs audio-visual equipment in galleries
• Positions lighting and troubleshoots lighting schema for exhibitions
• Designs, fabricates, and installs custom vitrines, pedestals, and packing materials.
• Work with exhibiting artists and curators to resolve complex design and manufacturing construction from verbal or minimal written instructions
• Oversees tool maintenance; recommends specialty tools for Director of Exhibition’s review
• Transports museum equipment, supplies, artifacts between museum buildings; may drive across greater region to pick up and deliver exhibition materials
• Prior to installation and deinstallation, plan and prepare pathways and storage areas for object movement including artwork, crates, packing materials, pedestals/vitrines, and construction materials
• Work with a variety of cultural workers, stakeholders, students, volunteers, interns, and internal employees in a professional manner, and aligned with accredited museum best practices
• Proficiency in audio/video editing software
• Office and computer skills aligned with professional communication, research, and online ordering
• General and finish carpentry standards, practices, methods, and materials
• Climb ladders and scaffolding; safely use and maintain hand and power tools, paints, chemicals, graphic-fabrication equipment; physically and safely perform all required duties including moving of art and artifacts

Work Environment

Onsite, museum exhibit spaces, prep shop, and print shop in various buildings; may work in awkward positions, on ladders and scaffolding to prepare and/or install exhibits. 

Scheduling in accordance with exhibition install needs- may be required to work some evenings and weekends.

This position requires lifting (50+ lbs.) heaving equipment, supplies, and art. 

Qualifications

Required

Required qualifications for this position can be met in a variety of ways, at the discretion of the hiring committee and supervisor. The Whatcom Museum will consider numerous combinations of applicable experience, training, and/or education while evaluating work previous 5 years’ work experience and qualifications for the position. 

• Standing for long periods of time
• Climb tall ladders
• Experience working with artists for large-scale and site-specific installation
• Lift, move, transfer 50+ lbs.
• Experience installing 2d and 3d artwork and artifacts
• Intermediate to advanced carpentry experience
• Experience with plotter, large format printing, and graphics mounting
• Matting and Framing experience
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Adobe Suite
• Capacity to initiate and follow through on project implementation and completion
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a productive and professional manner: showcasing self-direction, detail orientation, clear communication, and adaptability to changing timelines and/or installation scenarios
• Pass criminal records check prior to hire
• Valid driver’s license and proof of good driving record prior to hire
• Education/Field Position Experience requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, education, anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, construction and/or construction technology, set design or related field. 

AND

• Three years’ experience or equivalent training in museum work through fabrication, architecture, construction, gallery installation, carpentry, or art handling.

OR

• 5 years’ experience in a museum, fabrication shop, gallery installation, art handling, construction, carpentry, or architecture.
  • Combination of the above totaling 5 years full-time experience.

Application Requirements

• Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Tatiana Beiting by November 1st at info@whatcommuseum.org
• Walk-ins, phone calls, or application materials dropped off in person will not be accepted.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The Whatcom Museum Foundation is committed to workplace integrity and supports equal opportunity employment regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, individuals with disability status. 

Benefits

The Lead Preparator position will receive a comprehensive benefits package including PTO, paid holidays, healthcare including vision and dental insurance. This position may participate in the SIMPLE IRA Savings Plan once eligibility requirements are met.