Job Description

Studio Manager: Clayworks, one of the largest ceramic arts educational non-profit facilities in the United States, has an immediate need for a full-time, Studio Manager in a fast paced growing organization. This is a full-time position who reports to the Executive Director with a schedule of 40 hours per week.  Heath Insurance benefits are included and ability to participate in retirement plan, once all requirements are satisfied. The specific days and hours for the position will be determined by the Executive Director in consultation with the successful Studio Manager candidate.

Job Description

We require a professional with a high degree of attention to detail, entrepreneurial attitude, strong work ethic and discipline. We require excellent communication and interpersonal skills with individuals on all levels coming into our facilities. Experience in kiln equipment maintenance and technical understanding of clay and glaze materials as well as common administrative and accounting tasks are essential. The ideal candidate will have experience in a non-profit arts organization; strong interpersonal skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications and Microsoft Excel software; will be familiar with website and social media tools, such as Facebook and Instagram; and will have an ability to organize work flow and multi-task effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred but not required, or equivalent experience
• Must be able to communicate effectively with staff, artists, and the general public.
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills.
• Provide assistance to the staff in aspects relating to public event planning and educational curriculum for ceramic hands-on experiences, tours, workshops and classes
• Keep track of day-to-day needs of the studio including dry materials, equipment upkeep and maintenance, cleaning supplies, tools, and safety equipment.  

Administration

• Communicates with Instructors and Studio Artists about upcoming events or announcements that need to be made.
• Prepares  Studio Calendar with dates and times of events in the studio and keeps it updated
• Maintain dry erase board and update information as needed
• Maintain inventory of material room and clay supplies, including pottery tool packs, bat pins, and expendables
• Implement safety rules and OSHA regulations in the studio
• Schedules and oversees end of session clean up 3 times annually
• Ability to reconcile annual studio budget and the costs and expenses to maintain efficiency and efficacy of programs
• Keeps a detailed written documentation of all studio activities

      Managerial

• Participate in the hiring of studio assistants
• Train and supervise studio assistants
• Arrange for and communicate with volunteers for Muddy Fun and other studio events
• Trains Instructors on policies and how to operate the cash register

      Operations

• Organize and maintain materials room

• Oversee and schedules all kiln firings for classes, CIP, and studio artists, keep scheduled updated. Collects payments for firings
• Records all firings that take place in Excel
• Fires gas kiln for classes
• Remove all bisque ware and glaze ware from the shelves after each class session
• Set up classrooms for workshops, sales and studio events and seeing that they are put back after the workshops
• Sell clay to students when classes are not in session
• Prepares deposits from clay sales

• Overseeing the cleaning of the restrooms and the kitchen area.
• Overseeing the cleaning of the refrigerator on a regular basis.
• Report all necessary building repairs to Executive Director
• Keeps all kilns in good working order
• Maintain all studio glazes, slips, kiln wash and other general use materials
• Maintain all test tiles, replace when broken, keep up studio labels as they fade or become dirty beyond readability
• Oversee the maintenance of all kiln shelves, make sure that they are good condition and properly stored
• Oversee the organization of  kiln areas, cone boxes, kiln wash, bricks and kiln furniture, carts and properties therein
• Oversee the cleaning of student shelves between sessions
• Oversee all raku materials and make sure kilns and cans are brought in after firings
• Keeping sink traps clean and in good working order
• Assist with gallery exhibit installations
• Maintain, repair, and build, as necessary, studio equipment
• Maintains grounds around the studio to insure trash is picked up on the property
• Oversees filters in HVAC are changed out in the studio on a monthly basis.
• Other duties as assigned

Performance Measurements  Studio Manger Performance will be based on:

• Ability to maintain cleanliness, organization of studio tools and inventory of materials.
• Ability to maintain policies in studio.
• Ensure that kiln firings are completed in a timely manner
• Care of handling and tracking of student work.
• Timely upkeep of glaze & slip mixing and recycling of clay.
• Maintenance of studio equipment

Required experience/knowledge

• Knowledge of ceramics equipment and processes
• Able to create ceramic art in both hand built and wheel thrown forms
• Knowledge of basic glaze making
• Knowledge firing electric kilns
• knowledge in firing gas kilns

Skills and Abilities

• Computer proficiency including Gmail, Google calendar, Microsoft Word & EXCEL
• Strong communication skills (written & verbal)
• Organized, detail and process oriented.
• Strong Customer Service.
• Artistic, creative, inspirational!
• Work in an independent and self-directed manner with frequent communications with Executive Director
• Strong knowledge of the ceramics field on a national level
• Must be well organized and have attentiveness to detail
• Light construction and handyman skills

Physical activities and requirements of this position

• Ability to maintain a clean studio – must be willing and able to clean on a regular basis.
• Standing/ walking for long periods of time.
• Ability to carry & move heavy objects, up to 60 pounds.
• Exposure to materials: gas and other materials that are used in ceramics process.
• Driving will be required
• Use of power tools such as drill and angle grinder, bench grinder, etc
• Wearing particulate respirator on face and safety glasses required for glaze and clay recycling

• works safely with ladders, ceramic materials and dust; tolerate heat and cold (kiln room is not heated or cooled)

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

For the full job description please visit https://www.clayworksinc.org/employment

  Applications should include:

• Cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in Clayworks
• Current Resume
• 3 professional references

Send applications to Adrienne Dellinger, Executive Director, adellinger@clayworksinc.org

Position will remain open until filled

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