Sculpture Technician

The Claremont Colleges Services; Claremont (CA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

The Sculpt ure Technician at Pomona College’s sculpture facilities is responsible for maintaining safe operations in the woodshop, CNC router, foundry, welding shop, and kiln area. You will advise students on art fabrication and ensure proper safety procedures.

This role also involves hazardous materials handling, tool purchases, and coordinating maintenance projects, with 40 hours weekly and occasional evenings. The position is based in Claremont, CA.

Qualifications

• Education: BFA or related field; MFA preferred.
• Experience in fine arts programs or studios required.
• Strong mechanical skills to troubleshoot machine issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe procedures in foundry, woodshop, CNC router, welding shop and kiln area.
• Advise students on technical aspects of art fabrication.
• Maintain and repair equipment and tools in sculpture.
• Maintain safety documentation and hazardous materials handling.
• Schedule deliveries of bulk materials and assist with summer maintenance.

Skills

Studio maintenance

Safety training

Communication

Time management

Education

BFA degree

MFA preferred

Tools

Rhino

Blender

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location

Claremont, CA

Position Title

Sculpture Technician

About Pomona College

Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges.

Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for its small classes, challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges. Pomona College employees enjoy excellent benefits and perks and work in a diverse environment of equal opportunity, intellectual development and personal growth.

Job Purpose

The Sculpture Technician oversees the maintenance of safe procedures in the sculpture facility’s Woodshop, CNC Router, Foundry, Welding shop, and Kiln area. This person maintains the machines and tools in sculpture both in the shop and the classroom. This position advises students on technical aspects of art fabrication and tests and documents students’ knowledge on studio and shop safety. The Sculpture Technician develops and implements studio safety procedures compliant with TCCS Environmental Health and Safety and Pomona College Safety Committee guidelines and represents the Department of Art at the Pomona College Safety Committee. This position oversees the safe storage and proper documentation of hazardous materials and coordinates the maintenance and repair of equipment and portable hand and power tools in all studio areas. The Sculpture Technician also maintains, organizes and purchases tools, materials and supplies for class projects and sculpture. This position schedules and receives deliveries of bulk materials and makes errands as needed. The Sculpture Technician is trained in emergency response and certified in First Aid.

Essential Functions

1. Oversee safe and secure procedures in the sculpture facility’s foundry, woodshop, CNC Router, welding shop, kiln yard, digital production, and classroom. Must be accomplished at working with wood and all wood working machines (including CNC) and have expertise in at least one other area as noted above.
2. Test and document students’ knowledge of wood shop safety.
3. Advise students on technical aspects of art fabrication and be able to speak with them about ideas.
4. Develop and implement studio safety procedures compliant with TCCS Environmental Health and Safety and Pomona College Safety Committee guidelines.
5. Represent the Department of Art at the Pomona College Safety Committee.
6. Oversee the safe storage and proper documentation of hazardous materials in all studio areas.
7. Maintain and repair equipment and portable hand and power tools in sculpture.
8. Maintain, organize, and purchase most tools, materials, and supplies for sculpture and class projects.
9. Schedule and receive deliveries of bulk materials.
10. Act on behalf of the department in emergency response situations and maintain certification in First Aid.
11. Assist with extended in-depth maintenance projects throughout the summer session.
12. Perform special projects/tasks/duties and provide assistance as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: BFA degree or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. M.F.A is preferred.

Licenses/Certificates: A valid driver’s license or equivalent means of reliable transportation to off-site meetings and events is required. CPR training will be provided for if applicant is not certified by Red Cross. Must take and successfully pass a functional capacity test after job offer and prior to hire.

Experience: Experience with fine arts programs and/or studios is required. Must have excellent mechanical skills to problem solve daily issues that arise from machines needing to be maintained.

Required Knowledge and Critical Skills

1. Deploy professional skills in fine arts studio maintenance and safety training, in collaboration with colleagues, to best promote the College’s strategic interests. Oversee safe and secure procedures in the sculpture facility’s foundry, welding shop, kiln yard, woodshop, and classroom. Demonstrate excellent mechanical sensibility. Able to solve problems with a wide range of material safety knowledge and experience.
2. Demonstrate effective, accurate, and clear communication with strong verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, phone, customer service, and leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate, and inspire a highly diverse group of students. Follow all written and verbal instructions, asking questions as needed for clarification of projects/tasks/duties/assignments.
3. Operate computers proficiently with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook) and associated professional software. System knowledge with Rhino and Blender software preferred. Use assigned technology/devices/equipment to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.
4. Handle all activities with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
5. Prioritize and perform multiple projects/tasks, meet deadlines/timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the College with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the College’s strategic vision and the division’s/department’s annual goals.
6. Use strong organizational and time management skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail.
7. Operate the College’s vehicles safely for campus-related work and meet all insurance-related requirements.

Required Hours

The regular hours for this full-time position are 40 hours per week, on a variable schedule that may require 10 to 12 hours per week of evening work hours. Overtime work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to needs of the College or division. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.

Additional Position Details

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position, benefits eligible. The hourly rate for this role is between $25.60 to $33.00 per hour with a competitive benefits package. The specific factors that the College will consider when offering a salary to an individual will include, but not be limited to: education, training, relevant prior experience, and performance in prior roles. All staff positions are ineligible for visa or permanent resident card sponsorship. As a California employer, Pomona College requires all employees to be residents of California.

ADA/OSHA

This job description defines the essential job duties of this position. The College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. When duties and responsibilities change and develop, the College will review this job description and make changes of business necessity.