Art Studio Assistant - Ceramics/Glass (Part Time)

To advance the colleges mission vision principles values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

**This position does not begin until August.

Kirkwood is seeking the addition of an assistant technician to join the 3D arts team! The right candidate will be self-motivated interested in the arts and comfortable collaborating with faculty and students. The assistant technician will be responsible for monitoring lab time of the ceramic and glass art studios as well as including assistance maintaining equipment assisting with kiln firings and preparing materials for classroom use. Will also be responsible for opening the studios completing tasks as assigned and monitoring student spaces in the mornings.

Must be able to work the hours of 8am-11am Monday-Friday throughout the academic year (August-May).

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming diverse and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead- regardless of title through positive influence.

• Monitor glass and ceramic studios during open lab times ensuring proper use of equipment and student safety.
• Assist with maintenance and repair of equipment in the glass and ceramic studios. This includes:
  • Ceramics: Gas wood fired and electric kilns clay mixer and pug mills and potters wheels
  • Glass: Furnaces annealers and fusing and slumping kilns
• Load fire and unload kilns and maintain logs for all kilns: when fired when repaired etc.
• Maintain and monitor supplies and inventory in glass and ceramics.
• Transport and cut wood for the wood kiln. This includes:
  • The use of automatic log splitters

• Mix shop glazes engobes coloring oxides and kiln wash.
• Mix and pug clay on a weekly basis.
• Keep outdoor areas and studios organized and clean including but not limited to mopping the floors cleaning equipment and emptying slake buckets from the ceramics and sculpture rooms.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Be able and willing to represent the College in the most positive manner with prospective former and current students clients suppliers and the community we serve.
• Ability to perform lifting and repetitious physical activity.
• Ability to care for equipment and operate equipment safely and efficiently.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to cope with flexibility of daily schedule.
• Ability to work autonomously and be self-motivated to complete tasks and duties.
• Be responsive to communications in person and via Kirkwood email during the business week.
• Welcome value and nurture people of all backgrounds perspectives and experiences as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Position involves exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally (10-33%); up to 20 pounds frequently (34-66%); and up to 10 pounds constantly (67-100%) to move objects. Physically able to perform routine stooping bending reaching standing walking pushing pulling lifting grasping and repetitive motions constantly (67-100%). Occasional (10-33%) use of ladders; kneeling and crawling.

Potential exposure to: hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system or the skin fumes odors dust mists gases or poor ventilation. Exposure to noise vibration inside and outside environmental conditions moving mechanical parts electrical current.

• Associates Degree or equivalent experience required with an emphasis in ceramics and/or glass.
• Demonstrate expertise in the safe and proper utilization of glass and ceramics lab materials tools and equipment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSLICENSES CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in art or equivalent experience preferred with an emphasis in ceramics and/or glass.
• Experience in an educational or large studio setting.
• Experience using personal protective equipment around hazardous materials.