Jr. Ceramic Studio Technician

The Ceramic Technician reports to the Community Ceramic Studio Manager and participates in all aspects of community studio operations. The ceramic studio technician plays a crucial role in the studio's daily operations, maintenance, and member communication.

Responsibilities:

• Provide members with assistance and service, including distributing materials, helping with the firing process, orientation, training on equipment, and all issues as they relate to membership

• Assist in maintaining and creating accessible, accurate, user-friendly signage and instructions for various processes and equipment

• Assist in facilitating specialty workshops

• Monitor and educate members in health and safety best practices and proper use of equipment

• Load and monitor kilns

• Formulate, test, and mix glaze

• Materials processing: pugging clay, recycling slip, and glaze

• Collaboratively clean the studio daily

• Assist in maintaining equipment and furniture

• Follow material tracking protocol

• Execute opening and closing checklist depending on the shift you are signed up for

• Training studio monitors

• Collaborate on creating an accessible and safe work environment

• Occasionally partake in executing fabrication projects

• Research and develop innovative fabrication techniques and methods

• Collaborate with other staff, shops, and departments on projects as needed

• Participate in Powerhouse Arts events and shop tours as needed

• Occasional work required outside of regularly scheduled hours.
• Management reserves the right to revise these responsibilities or to require other/different tasks be performed as institutional circumstances change

Qualifications:

• 2+ years’ experience or the equivalent of in ceramic studio technical operations

• Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, ability to problem-solve

• Ability to prioritize shifting needs of a busy studio

• Knowledge of best practices in health and safety

• Desire to share knowledge and serve a robust community of artists

• Willingness to work within a community studio setting

• Basic understanding of kiln repair

• Glaze formulation and mixing

• Materials recycling––clay, slip, glaze, etc

• Basic handy skills for studio maintenance and upgrades

• Proficient in one or more of the following: mold making, slip casting, wheel throwing, or hand building

•  Fluency in G Suite

Areas of interest but not required:

• Realistic/ figurative sculpting skills

• 3D printing in clay or other mediums

• Digital fabrication, CNC machining

• Ability to work in CAD programs

• Ability to work with PS and ID

Hours + Compensation: The schedule for this position is an 8-hour shift from Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday with schedules between 9:30am-7:30pm. Evening and weekend work required. The hourly range for this role is $23-$26.

Benefits: Benefits include medical, dental and vision health insurance, an employer-sponsored retirement plan, generous paid vacation, sick time off, paid time off between Christmas and New Years, and a Citibike membership.