Piano Technician

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plans

Tuition discounts

Flexible work arrangements

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Northwestern University in Evanston is seeking a Piano Technician to support the care, maintenance, restoration and rebuilding of over 250 keyboard instruments. You will work on concerts, master classes and recordings with a collaborative team to ensure peak instrument performance.

Minimum eight years of piano voicing, regulation, tuning and repair are required, including rebuilding modern grand pianos. A Piano Technology credential or equivalent is preferred.

Qualifications

• Certificate/diploma in Piano Technology or equivalent experience.
• Minimum eight years experience in piano voicing, regulation, tuning and repair.
• Experience preparing pianos for concerts and recordings; rebuilding expertise.
• Ability to operate specialized piano repair tools and common woodworking equipment.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with colleagues and artists.

Responsibilities

• Second piano technician for tuning, maintenance and concert prep of pianos/harpsichords.
• Rebuilding and remanufacturing work including sound boards, bridges and actions.
• Supervise contracted keyboard technicians, interns and student assistants.
• Maintain keyboard inventory data: location, condition and service history.
• Contribute to long-term plans for refinishing, reconditioning and replacement.
• Organize Keyboard Maintenance operations and special projects.

Skills

Piano voicing

Regulation

Tuning

Repair

Piano technology knowledge

Collaboration

Education

Piano Technology certificate/diploma or equivalent experience

Tools

Drill press

Table saw

Band saw

Small power tools

Job description

Department: Music Administration

Salary/Grade: NEX/16

Job Summary

Reporting to the Supervisor of Keyboard Maintenance, the Piano Technician works collaboratively as part of the keyboard maintenance team to support all aspects of the care, maintenance, restoration, and rebuilding of the Bienen School of Music's inventory of more than 250 performance, rehearsal, studio, and historic keyboard instruments. This position plays a critical role in maintaining the highest standards of instrument performance, supporting a demanding schedule of teaching, practice, rehearsals, recordings, and public performances. The successful candidate will possess experience with a wide variety of keyboard instruments and demonstrate the technical expertise, flexibility, and professionalism required to prepare instruments for concerts, master classes, and performances by nationally and internationally renowned guest artists. A commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, collaborative teamwork, and customer service is essential.

Working Conditions: Availability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays in addition of regular business hours. Physical strength, dexterity, agility and stamina necessary to accomplish the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the second piano technician responsible for performing the highest level of tuning, maintenance, concert preparation of pianos and harpsichords used for public performance and to meet academic needs of the Bienen School of Music. This includes regular and specialized maintenance and repairs.
• Provides the highest level of rebuilding and remanufacturing work, including refurbishing or replacement of sound boards, bridges, pin blocks, strings, dampers, actions, keyboards and pedal systems.
• Assists in the supervision of services provided by contracted professional keyboard technicians, interns and student assistants.
• Assists in the collection and maintenance of data on the keyboard inventory, including location, condition, maintenance and service history, as well as time and materials used in day to day operations.
• Collaborates in the formulation of long-term plans for the refinishing, reconditioning, rebuilding, replacement and disposition of the keyboard inventory.
• Assists in the organization and management of Keyboard Maintenance operations and special projects as required or assigned.
• Other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Certificate/diploma in Piano Technology or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in piano voicing, regulation, tuning and repair required.
• Extensive experience in preparing pianos for concerts and recordings. Must have a thorough understanding of piano technology concepts and methods. Highly developed skills in complete rebuilding and re-manufacture of modern grand pianos.
• Ability to operate specialized piano repair tools, small power tools and equipment such as a drill press, table saw and band saw.
• Experience developing proposals and presentations; ability to collaborate and recommend options.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others to plan and achieve strategic goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as the ability to relate sensitively to internal and external colleagues and constituents.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal forms.
• Ability to maintain positive and productive working relationships with co-workers, employees, students, administration, faculty, artists, vendors and University departments.

Minimum Competencies

• Adaptability - Works effectively in an environment in which the parameters may change daily; adjusts behavior to meet the needs of different people and situations.
• Collaboration - Facilitates open and effective communication, cooperation and teamwork within and outside of one's own team; respects the needs and contributions of others.
• Collegiality - Being helpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Compliance - Honoring University policies and regulatory requirements.
• Conceptual Ability - Deals effectively, not just with concrete tangible issues, but also abstract conceptual matters.
• Efficiency/Dependability - Effectively performs duties and responsibilities; displays attention to detail; supports organizational policies; anticipates demands/pressures of assignments and adjusts accordingly.
• Judgment - Demonstrates logic, rationality and objectivity; shows common sense; uses all available information to make educated decisions.
• Listening - Actively listens to others' opinions and ideas; respects and seeks to understand differences in opinions.
• Meets Deadlines - Displays consistency and success in adhering to deadlines.
• Multi-Tasking - Demonstrates ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Organization - Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time and/or resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Member of the Piano Technicians Guild with Registered Piano Technician status.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in piano voicing, regulation, tuning and repair.
• Highly developed skills in complete rebuilding and re-manufacture of modern grand pianos.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $36.79 - $40.87 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits

• At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
• Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
• Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.