Piano Technician (Piano Technology)

The Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 31,340 - 55,792; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute is seeking a Piano Technician to join the Piano Technology team. The role focuses on concert-level tuning, voicing, repair, and action regulation, with duties including inventory management, rental contracts, and online request handling.

Evening/weekend availability aligns with concert schedules. In addition to technical duties, the position involves training student workers and graduate assistants as needed, ensuring maintenance of 250+ pianos

Qualifications

• Three years of experience including concert level tuning.
• Knowledge of grand and upright piano repair and maintenance.
• Installation of action parts, action regulation, and voicing for professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform tunings and general maintenance for the Peabody Institute.
• Monitor serviceability and assist in scheduling maintenance.
• Aid in servicing, regulating, repairing, rebuilding, stringing, and cleaning pianos.
• Attend concerts for pre- and intermission tunings.
• Collaborate with faculty on piano-related needs.
• Tune and maintain non-Conservatory University pianos.

Skills

Concert tuning

Piano repair

Voicing

Interpersonal skills

Dexterity

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

RPT certification (PTG)

Job description

The Piano Technology Department is seeking a Piano Technician who will report to the Manager of Piano Technology and function as a member of the Piano Technology team.

The Piano Technician will be a key member of the Piano Technology team and will be responsible for concert level tunings, voicing, repair and action regulation, moving with the assistance of the piano lift 2, cleaning, restringing, action rebuilds, and general maintenance of instruments used for practice and performances at the Peabody Institute. The Piano technician will also provide instructional training to student workers and graduate assistants hired within the department as needed.

The incumbent of this position must also be able to work with computers and help in maintaining our inventory of over 250 pianos, sending digital contracts for piano rentals, and participate in our online request management system. Training in all online systems will be provided.

This is a full-time 12-month position with the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University supporting both the Conservatory and the Preparatory, as such, the incumbent must be available to work evenings and weekends when asked, dictated by the concert and performance schedule.

The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University advances a dynamic, 21st-century model of performing arts training in pursuit of its mission: to elevate the human experience through leadership at the intersection of art and education. Through its Conservatory for undergraduate and graduate studies and the Preparatory, Baltimore’s largest community performing arts school, Peabody empowers musicians and dancers from diverse backgrounds to create and perform at the highest level.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform tunings and general maintenance of pianos for the Peabody Institute.
• Monitor the serviceability of all pianos at the Peabody Institute; assist in developing schedules for tuning and general maintenance as requested.
• Responsible for aiding in servicing, regulating, repairing, rebuilding, stringing and cleaning of pianos as needed.
• Attend concerts for pre- and intermission tunings, as requested.
• Work with faculty on all piano-related needs as requested.
• Tunes and maintains non-Conservatory University pianos as needed or as requested by Peabody leadership.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of experience including concert level tuning, knowledge of grand and upright piano repair and maintenance; installation of action parts; action regulation; and voicing for professional musician standards.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of experience with concert tuning strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree strongly preferred.
• RPT certification from the PTG-Piano Technicians Guild.
• Knowledge of acceptable work standards in the rebuilding and maintenance of pianos and related instruments.
• Knowledge regarding the effects of humidity and seasonal changes on pianos.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to support working with students, faculty, dealers, donors, and guest performers as necessary to perform the job.
• Ability to participate in moving pianos with the assistance of equipment.
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and problem solve.
• Interacts positively with others and functions as a member of the team.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Moderate physical activity required.
• Work requires upper-body strength, and can be fatiguing for back, arms, and hands.
• Requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling required of objects up to 40 pounds.
• Requires a high degree of fine finger or hand dexterity.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks such as, occasional use of hazardous solvents (acetone, lacquer) when necessary, which require following basic safety precautions and wearing safety equipment.

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Piano Technician (Piano Technology)

Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/02/CF

Starting Salary Range: $22.75 - $40.50 HRLY ($62,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.).

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: 37.5 hours per week

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: Peabody

Department name: Piano Operations

Personnel area: Peabody