STUDIO TECHNICIAN

The Studio Technician is a part of The Clay Studio education and community engagement team, including the Education Coordinator, Program Assistants, two other Studio Technicians, the Community Engagement (CE) Manager, CE Assistant, and CE Teaching Artists. The Studio Technician supports all aspects of TCS, ensuring proper functioning and excellence of the studios and building.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties and responsibilities of the Studio Technician, reflecting the tasks associated with their essential skills:

CUSTOMER FOCUS & EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

  • Communicates daily about the needs of the studios and the tasks that were performed 
  • Communicates inventory needs
  • Helps determine when new equipment is needed and when repairs will suffice
  • Communicates all orders
  • Meets deadlines for processing students’ work each semester
  • Offers technical assistance to the TCS community
  • Helps maintain an excellent and safe environment
  • Provide technical assistance and training in the use of equipment

PLANNING & ORGANIZING

  • Posts master firing schedule online
  • Monitors master firing schedule to ensure that deadlines are met 
  • Tracks inventory of all supplies and materials (clay, chemicals, cones, tools, general, etc.), including Special Event needs
  • Supports TCS programs, workshops, and all special events
  • Assist with the set up of workshop rooms
  • Trains and monitors the completion of jobs by the interns daily
  • Collects and organizes monthly bills for all Programs
  • Stocks extra parts for equipment repair 

 OCCUPATIONAL

  • Load and unload gas and electric kilns of varying sizes
  • Inspects, maintains, and repairs all Studios and Equipment
  • Cleans and oversees the cleaning of the school studios
  • Replenishes and mix glazes, oxides, and slips  
  • Stocks and cleans Chemical Room
  • Assists with clay and chemical deliveries and other deliveries when needed
  • Ability to climb ladders
  • Bending at the waist, sitting, kneeling, climbing, walking, crouching as the job may require

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

  • Experience firing gas kilns, glaze chemistry, and kiln maintenance
  • A focus on customer service and community building
  • Must be able to lift 50lbs
  • A high level of attention to detail and the ability to balance multiple tasks
  • Self-motivation and dedication to excellence
  • Ability to collaborate effectively and work independently

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPENSATION:

  • 1-year studio technician experience in a ceramic studio is preferred
  • Experience firing gas kilns, glaze chemistry, and kiln maintenance preferred
  • Salary range of $32,000-$38,000, depending upon qualifications, experience, and performance
  • A complete benefits package is included

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
This position works in partnership with the other Studio Technicians and Education department staff and reports to the Deputy Director on all matters related to the job description and obtaining appropriate & final approvals.

WORK SCHEDULE:
The Studio Technician works 40 hours per week, on average. Regular hours for the position are 9 AM to 5 PM, Sunday through Thursday. Each Studio Tech will be expected to be at gas firings on a rotating schedule and participate in special events that may occur outside of regular business hours; in these instances, hours are adjusted accordingly. The Studio Technician also works 2nd Thursday events as scheduled.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 
This person must know the health hazards of working with clay and glaze chemicals and take appropriate measures to be safe. 

HOW TO APPLY:
Send resume and cover letter to jobs@theclaystudio.org. No phone calls, please. The Clay Studio will review applications immediately.

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DEVELOPMENT & FINANCE ASSISTANT

DEVELOPMENT & FINANCE ASSISTANT - The Administrative Assistant position is full-time, 40 hours per week (occasional nights and/or weekends), and serves as an important part of the Development and Operations Teams.  Duties include assisting the Executive Director, Operations and Finance Manager, and the Development Team in managing the day-to-day tasks of fundraising, finances, operations, and administration that may include maintaining digital files and records, email correspondence, phone management, and meetings/scheduling.   

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Development & Finance Responsibilities

  • Assist TCS Executive Director with specific office duties – bulk mailings, bulk emails, Board and Committee support, and other requests.
  • Handling, processing, and coding all TCS bills, invoices, and responses from fundraising and appeals.
  • Responsible for the data entry and acknowledgment of all contributed gifts.
  • Assist with prep for annual audit
  • Assist with completing Philadelphia Cultural Data Project
  • Restock and order office supplies
  • First-line backup for answering incoming phones
  • Assist with Board and Committee meeting preparation, including scheduling meetings, preparing and sending correspondence pre- and post-meeting, set-up, taking notes, digital filing, follow-up, and reporting.
  • Management and ongoing oversight of the fundraising database (Art Center Canvas), including but not limited to entry of all contributed income, updating donor information, production of mailings, mailing lists, labels, merge letters, generating reports and lists, and updating fundraising templates.
  • Supporting the preparation and planning of the annual fundraising event – The Mud Ball
  • Provide lead and administrative support to the team, including writing, editing, printing, and merging letters.  Process bulk mail – generating labels and copies – in the database and other programs. 
  • Offer miscellaneous administrative assistance.
  • Special Projects and other duties as assigned

KEY COMPETENCIES:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Skilled at organizing and managing multiple projects and tasks going on concurrently with high attention to detail and excellent follow-through.
  • Have the ability to analyze situations and information to make recommendations about improving procedures or reports
  • Ability to work effectively with various personalities and working styles and with people at all levels of the organization, including staff, board, and donors.
  • Be trustworthy and able to handle confidential information
  • Hold basic Mac computer skills
  • Be knowledgeable in Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office programs
  • Experience working in databases helpful
  • Be independent and motivated – must be able to work effectively on a team while performing a substantial portion of duties independently.
  • Possess an excellent work ethic, passion for the arts, and a sense of humor

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPENSATION:

  • Minimum of 2 years of office administrative experience
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • Salary range of $30,000-$35,000 plus benefits
     

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to: jobs@theclaystudio.org.

 

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JANITORIAL TECHNICIAN

The Clay Studio (TCS) Janitorial Technician performs general cleaning and routine building maintenance tasks of the new 34,000-square-foot facility.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The duties and responsibilities of the Facilities Technician are listed below, reflecting the tasks associated with their key competencies.
  • Oversee daily trash removal, restocking/cleaning restroom
  • Sweeping/mopping/vacuuming, cleaning/disinfecting tables and counters
  • Cleaning exterior entryway/cigarette receptacles, graffiti removal
  • Cleaning/polishing/floor maintenance throughout the building 
  • Cleaning/disinfecting community surfaces (handrails, water fountains, etc.)
  • Clean windows and glass doors
  • Change of all filters for HVAC as required
  • Prepare classrooms for incoming classes; remove or rearrange furniture for events or classes
  • Remove and properly dispose of all recyclable materials
  • Change light bulbs, interior, and exterior, as needed
  • Maintain exterior property, including snow removal
  • Assist with all show installs/removals if needed
  • Paint, and refurbish areas as needed
  • Performs other work-related duties as assigned
  • Must be able to work flexible hours

Qualifications:

  • 1-3 years of working experience in facilities maintenance is preferred
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Must be organized, detail-oriented, customer service orientated, and able to multi-task
  • The ability to hold a valid Driver’s License is preferred
  • Ability to push/lift 50-75 pounds
  • Ability to climb ladders
  • Bending at the waist, sitting, kneeling, climbing, walking, crouching as the job may require
  • Working around lubricants, solvents, batteries, cleaning fluids, paints

 

Reporting Relationships
The Janitorial Technician reports directly to the Deputy Director. As a small, agile, and close-knit staff, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with multiple staff members while working independently.  

Compensation
The position is part-time, and the compensation is $15-$17/hr. The schedule is four 6-hour days for an average of 24 hours per week throughout the year, with one weekend day. The suggested schedule is 7:00 am - 1:00 pm but it is flexible.

 

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ABOUT THE CLAY STUDIO

The Clay Studio is Philadelphia's only nonprofit solely dedicated to the education and promotion of the ceramic arts, and is one of the world's leading institutions in the field.  Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio supports the ceramic arts through its artist residencies, exhibitions, studios, classrooms, and outreach programs. The programs of the Clay Studio reflect the dual character of the organization: as a community centered institution involved with the life of the city and region, and as a national and international focal point for ceramic arts. The Clay Studio believes in promoting broad access to the ceramic arts, and programs are geared to all levels of interest and proficiency.