Studio Technician - Pottery

SUMMARY:
Performs a variety of tasks including but not limited to, specialized equipment maintenance, management of equipment, use of specialized equipment, supply organization, volunteer supervision and other duties performed in or around the studio or spaces that offer ceramic programming. Hours for this position are expected to vary between 3 to 8 hours a week. [SO1] [AR2]

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position but is not all inclusive of studio staff responsibilities.

• Adjust, maintain, calibrate, and perform routine repairs to specialized equipment; report major repair needs or arrange for repairs according to established procedures.
• Maintain and repair general studio equipment like tables, shelves, chairs, and other equipment.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form with fellow city employees, studio coordinator, as well as external and internal customers.
• Assist in coordinating laboratory firing schedule; helps resolve scheduling conflicts with instructors; communication between instructors and staff.
• Complete kiln firings as tests and to support studio processing.
• Organize and manage clay, glazes, and chemicals. This includes clay delivery and organization, chemical storage and organization for glazes, as well as glaze maintenance, mixing, and chemical replacement.
• Train and supervise volunteers and staff in safe equipment use and procedures.
• Keeps work areas safe, clean, and organized.
• Provide technical support to multiple locations where all pottery programming is provided.
• Complete all required trainings and attend all required staff meetings.
• Receive training on various city platforms and complete tasks associated with the system like a POS or documentation apps.
• Assists students and staff with a wide variety of problems and questions.
• Follows all city, department, and program policies, rules, and regulations.
• Support in general studio maintenance when needed.
• Additional projects as agreed on.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities over Pottery Studio employees and but may be supervising volunteers at times.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The experience listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position but is not all inclusive of studio staff responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experience working with and maintaining specialized equipment such as electric, reduction, and raku kilns, grinder, pugger, spray booth, wheels, extruders, slab rollers, compressors, drills, and other equipment necessary to studio operation.
• Expertise and technical knowledge of ceramics (kilns, ceramics studio equipment, glazing/firing of materials) and can fulfill duties with a high degree of responsibility, independence, initiative all while maintaining positive interactions with students.
• Attention to detail, with the ability to follow precise instructions and procedures.
• Ability to work well with the public.
• Open and close a facility independently.
• Basic computer knowledge a must, and the ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Understand and apply department procedures and policies.
• Handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy as a representative of the city.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• High School graduation or GED or related vocational training required.
• 6 months experience in kiln maintenance and ceramics required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read instructions and communicate with City Supervisors and public. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisor, students, and the public.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems, and interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• CPR/First Aid/AED certification required.
• Certifications relating to kiln maintenance or National Career Readiness Certificates desired.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Required to constantly stand, walk, sit, climb stairs/ladders, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk and hear. Frequently required to reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to balance, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, push, pull, crawl or withstand extended periods of standing or moving about. Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to wet and /or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, extreme cold/heat, and vibration. The noise level is usually moderate and dusty conditions exist.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.