Studio technician

ARROWMONT IS EXPANDING

Are you thinking about expanding your horizons? Looking for a new and exciting opportunity? Are you interested in working in an environment where innovation, collegiality, and respect for all are prized values?

Arrowmont just might be the opportunity you are looking for.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is one of the nation’s premier craft schools. Embarking on major initiatives to expand programs and the communities that it serves, Arrowmont is poised to enhance arts and crafts opportunities for ALL.   As a result of strategic plan expansion, Arrowmont needs to augment its current staff with several competent, committed individuals. At present, we are adding staff to the Program, Institutional Advancement, Culinary, and Hospitality Departments. 

Those hired will join a tightly knit and supportive team that is highly professional, innovative, and committed to Arrowmont’s mission of “enriching lives through art and craft.”

At Arrowmont, every team member is valued—all work is valuable and every member’s contributions are recognized and appreciated.

You will work in a dynamic, creative environment with colleagues who are committed to providing excellent arts education today while ensuring the future. You will have the opportunity to use your skills and abilities to play an important role in helping Arrowmont move confidently into the future.

Arrowmont is located on 13 wooded acres in the heart of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park—Knoxville is nearby and offers the amenities of a major metropolitan area. For more information, go to www.arrowmont.org.

Please review the following position carefully to determine if it meets your skills and interests. Check out our other postings. We hope to welcome you to Arrowmont in the near future.

DEADLINE:  The application deadline for the following positions is February 15, 2023.

STUDIO TECHNICIAN

Position Title:          Studio Technician

Department:            Program Department

Reports to:   Studio Manager

Hourly Salary:          $21.21 per hour; approximately $44,000 annually

Position Specifics:  Full-time, hourly, benefits eligible

Approved:                  January 2023

POSITION SUMMARY: The Studio Technician is responsible for maintaining educational equipment, materials, and supplies in all studios in accordance with established policies and procedures, and for making recommendations for needed repairs and improvements as evidenced by daily contact and use. The position is responsible for representing the organization and its art programs to local, regional, and national audiences including instructors, assistants, students, and prospective donors. The position reports to the Studio Manager and works closely with the Facilities Manager to oversee studio safety and maintenance of all studio facilities and equipment. The position works with interns, Artists-in-Residence and contract artists as art instructors. Additionally, this position requires working with team members throughout the organization and across the organizational chart. The position is full-time, year-round, hourly, benefits eligible and non-exempt. The Studio Technician serves as part of the school’s programming team, ensuring that all Arrowmont programs and activities run effectively and efficiently. Each member of the team is expected to perform both administrative and hands-on work assignments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages routine equipment maintenance, evaluating functionality and safety of all equipment to meet education goals.
• Weekly cleaning, oversight, and maintenance of Arrowmont’s studios regarding all shop equipment, tools, materials, and spaces.
• Identifies equipment problems, and researches recommended solutions and improvements as needed.
• Works with Studio Manager to establish a regular schedule of studio and equipment repairs and implements repairs according to the schedule and within budgeted guidelines.
• Work with other Studio Technicians to effectively maintain studio supplies, equipment, and scheduling of studio projects and updates. 
• Contacts and works with Instructors to meet equipment and supply needs of scheduled workshops and special events, and prepares studios to meet anticipated needs.
• Contacts and works with Instructor Assistants to ensure equipment, supply needs, and all responsibilities are understood and maintained during scheduled workshops and special events.
• Communicates with Retail Logistics Manager to ensure all material fees needed for workshops and special events that pertain to studio spaces are processed and accounted for.   
• Plans and communicates goals and tasks to interns and Artists-in-Residence that are under their supervision.
• Maintains ongoing list of repairs and improvements, supplies, and materials needed to meet regular and specific needs for workshops and special events in studios.
• Coordinates with Facilities Manager to ensure interior and exterior cleanliness of studio facilities, organization of studio machinery and equipment, and operability of studio buildings.
• Assumes other responsibilities as may be appropriate for the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with varying abilities to perform the essential functions.
• Knowledge and expertise in maintaining fully equipped studios and all associated equipment and tools.
• Knowledge of fine craft materials - uses and descriptions.
• Experience in electrical and mechanical repair as related to studio equipment. Strong communication and organizational skills.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Additional detailed knowledge and experience in one or more of the following disciplines:  Ceramics, 2-D, Printmaking, Metals, fibers, and/or textiles.
• Experience in building and fabrication as related to studio space organization or modification.
• Experience in plumbing and infrastructure repair as related to studio equipment and space.
• 2-5 years’ experience as a dedicated studio technician at an arts education institution.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with varying abilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is physically demanding and requires the employee to walk unaided up and down hills and over uneven terrain, bend, stoop, reach above their head, have use of fine and gross motor skills, and work in close quarters.
• The position requires the ability to work on ladders, use chainsaws, operate a Bobcat forklift, and drive various types of vehicles off campus.
• The position requires travel and the ability to drive various types of vehicles on and off campus, and thus the employee would need a driver’s license.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects or boxes weighing up to 50 lbs.
• The employee must have normal visual acuity at near and far distance with correction and hear the spoken word with correction. The employee must be fluent in English.
• This position demands frequent exposure to inclement weather.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; utilize frequent fine manipulation with hands and fingers; and have ability to reach with hands and arms and must be able to communicate effectively.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with varying abilities to perform essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, but while workshops are in session, some studios do have noise from machinery.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Statement:  Arrowmont is committed to creating an anti-racist, diverse and inclusive workforce and work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Arrowmont strongly encourages people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Arrowmont is committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: To apply, please send a one-page cover letter, a resume or CV, and a list of three professional references to Kelly Hider at khider@arrowmont.org with the e-mail subject line as “Studio Technician Position.” Review of applications will begin immediately.

DEADLINE:  February 15, 2023