Studio Coordinator for Printmaking and Letterpress, Penland School of Crafts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with at least 5 years of studio experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• In-depth technical knowledge of the equipment and processes to be used in the studios and the ability to perform basic equipment maintenance and repairs; general knowledge of and curiosity about the field of crafts
• Ability to effectively manage a varied workload, plan and manage a budget, and successfully organize long-term planning and projects
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail; dependable and adaptable
• A resourceful problem-solver who is able to meet deadlines and make clear decisions in the moment
• Emotional maturity, integrity, enthusiasm; ability to deal sensitively and confidentially with instructors and students
• Functional ease with Google Suite, Word Office Suite: XL, Word
• Propensity and commitment to serve as a strong, collaborative, and effective member of the programs team

Primary Responsibilities

Programming

• Works closely with director of programs and educational programs manager to support programming in two studios by providing recommendations for potential instructors, course topics, and the capacity for the studios to support various classes and projects
• Supports program planning as needed and represents Penland periodically at national conferences
• Manages studio and equipment throughout the year to support all programming: summer workshops, fall and spring workshops and concentrations, Winter Residency, community education, special retreats/symposia/events, demonstrations, studio rentals, and staff access

Studio

• Works collaboratively across the organization to create, maintain and manage studio facility and equipment needs; takes a lead role in initiating and managing equipment repair and maintenance; serves as point person for studio facility improvement projects
• Supports the needs of instructors, manages equipment availability and set up, reconfigures space as needed, orders and manages supplies and materials requested for the session, and informs instructors about local resources as relevant for the class
• Works closely with studio operations manager and facilities and grounds team to create studio safety systems, including equipment, hazardous materials, and material handling
• Leads studio orientation and safety tours for instructors, studio assistants, residents, and students; communicates and maintains safety standards for the studio and reinforces them as needed
• Supervises studio assistants’ daily studio work load throughout the session; trains assistants in proper safety standards, procedures, and use of equipment; trains assistants to manage material sales

Administrative

• Works closely with studio operations manager and director of finance to develop studio budget, prioritize planning, and propose annual capital budget for the studio; monitors progress and inventory to remain within the approved budget
• Communicates with instructors before and during workshop and maintains good records for a safe, efficient, and positive studio environment
• Serves as a strong, collaborative, and effective member of the studio team occasionally assuming a lead role within the team to keep the group well informed and working in unison

Physical Requirements

This position requires travel and the ability to drive a car, is physically demanding and requires the employee walk unaided up and down hills and over uneven terrain, bend, stoop, reach above their head, have us of fine and gross motor skills, and work in close quarters. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and to work at a computer. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls and to talk fluently. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects or boxes weighing 50 lbs or more.

Compensation

Compensation discussions are a part of the interviewing process. Employees at Penland enjoy competitive pay, engaging benefits, and a unique work environment of creative inquiry. We have a variety of seasonal, part-time and full-time positions. Classes are offered in the spring, summer and fall with a winter residency in January.

To Apply

The position will remain open until filled, however the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by July 1, 2019.  Scheduled start date is August 21, 2019. Send résumé, 3 references, and cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the position to Sally Loftis, Human Resources Manager, at hrmanager@penland.org.

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and a total of 58 historic and contemporary buildings. Penland School of Craft is an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 67. Penland operates with a $44 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $7 million. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.