Studio Technician

Job Summary:

Under the general direction of the Studio Programs Manager, the Studio Technician assists with the maintenance and handling procedures of studio spaces and equipment at HoMA’s Art School. With a greater focus on ceramics, this position works closely with Studio Programs Teachers and Teaching Assistants to maintain studio supplies and facilitate and execute the loading, firing, and unloading of kilns. Additionally, as scheduling permits, this role will work with Studio Programs Teachers to assist with equipment maintenance in other studios, including Metals and Jewelry, Printmaking, and Fiber Arts.

The Honolulu Museum of Art:

Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art is a home for art and education created for the benefit of the entire community. Founder Anna Rice Cooke envisioned a museum that would bring people together through the power of art and “the deep intuitions that are common to all.” The museum was conceived of as a place of meaningful exchange and dialogue, celebrating the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of Hawai‘i’s multi-ethnic population. From this founding intention grew the museum of today, with a world-class encyclopedic collection of more than 55,000 works of art, representing a stunning breadth of places and eras, from all corners of the globe and from the ancient past to the present day.

To learn more about HoMA, please visit our website.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts and at least 1 year of experience operating kilns and other equipment found in ceramics, metals, or other studio settings, or relevant combination of education and experience.
• Experience assisting professional artists in art studio settings.
• General knowledge of workplace safety and best practices for safe handling procedures for equipment common in art and design processes.
• A familiarity with equipment, materials, and techniques across media such as, but not limited to, ceramics and metal working.
• Ability to proactively identify and report issues and mechanical problems before serious concerns arise.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of staff, volunteers and students.
• Highly organized, tactful, and flexible self-starter; able to multi-task successfully.
• Understands Honolulu Museum of Art’s established identity and dedication to advancing it.
• The traits of honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and perspective and a strong work ethic supported by commitment and follow-through.

Desired Qualifications:

• General knowledge of workplace safety and health standards and best practices for safe handling procedures of hazardous materials and equipment common in art and design processes.
• Experience working in an educational setting.
• Experience using electric and downdraft gas kilns.
• A familiarity with equipment, materials and techniques across disciplines including:
  • Skills to maintain and repair pottery, metals, and fiber arts equipment and tools.
  • Experience with mixing glazes and technical knowledge of ceramic firing procedures.
  • Technical knowledge for metal working such as soldering and braising, casting, and forming techniques.
  • Basic technical and operational knowledge of floor looms and their parts applicable to maintenance and weaving preparation.
  • Basic knowledge of a wide range of printmaking processes, including intaglio, relief, lithography, monotypes, cyanotypes, and bookmaking.
• • First Aid and CPR.

Essential Duties:

• Works closely with Studio Programs Teachers, visiting artists, and Learning and Engagement staff to understand their needs and requests for art-making programs.
• Promotes and maintains safe, clean, and organized studios.
• Assists with inventory of resalable materials (e.g. Clay, Metals, Paper).
• Works collaboratively with Studio Programs Teachers to maintain equipment and tools in studios:
• Ceramics Studio
  • Assists in the maintenance of tools, glazes, chemicals, clay, and dry materials, including mixing and making glazes and recycling clay.
  • Fires kilns. Assists in managing and overseeing kiln firing schedules and independently loads and unloads kilns for the finishing and firing of student's ceramic projects for classes and events.
  • Cleans traps.
• Metals Studio
  • Assists in the maintenance of metals tools, keeping them in safe working order.
• Textiles Studio
  • Assists in the maintenance of SAORI looms and other textile equipment and tools.
• Printmaking Studio
  • Assists in the maintenance of printmaking presses and other tools and equipment, keeping them in safe working order.
• Plans, executes, and completes projects in a timely fashion and solves problems inventively.
• Communicates and works closely with the Facilities team to coordinate studio maintenance schedules.
• Other duties as assigned.

Compensation

The Honolulu Museum of Art is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $20.00 per hour and the maximum salary is $21.00 per hour. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting pay, including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Part-Time employees at the Museum receive the following benefits:

• 20 hours of accrued paid sick leave per year, with a maximum bank of 55 hours
• Shop, Museum Café, and Art School discounts
• Onsite parking provided

Working Conditions and Atmosphere:

The Studio Technician will be given a part-time (less than 19 hours) schedule between Wednesday and Sunday with evening and weekend hours. Flexibility based on Art School needs is key.

The Studio Technician works with minimum supervision. Work will often be performed with short deadlines and in situations sensitive to the Museum. Due to the nature of the responsibilities, evening and weekend work is sometimes required, and at times may be on an emergency basis. Other considerations:

• Moderate lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination
• Working around machinery with moving parts
• Exposure to dust
• Noise
• Working with power tools
• Glazes, paints and solvents
• Vibration
• Working closely with others
• Protracted or irregular hours of work

The employee must be able to fulfil all Essential Duties with or without a reasonable accommodation. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusivity:

HoMA welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and this is reflected in our diverse community of employees. We encourage applications from candidates across a wide variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to, people of all races and ethnicities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and all members of the LGBTQ community.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

HoMA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. HoMA recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions and benefit programs without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisions, marital status, arrest and court record, citizenship, credit history, military and veteran service, victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse victim status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work duties and requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

HoMA maintains a policy of nondiscrimination in all employment practices and decisions, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. This applies to both HoMA employees and applicants for employment with the Museum. Any form of harassment of any employee because of any protected status is also prohibited.