For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Basic Function:

Assist in the supervision of the activities of the Ceramics Technical Facility, studios, and classrooms during the afternoon, evening, and weekend hours. Prepare studios for classroom activities, presentations, and events. Responsible for keeping facilities clean and operational for student and faculty use. Oversee the safe use of equipment and materials, and enforce department regulations and procedures. Perform opening and closing procedures as described in the daily procedures. Provide assistance and instruction for undergraduate and graduate students during class and open studio time. Produce and implement ongoing clay and glaze research for the department. Assist in the supervision of 10-20 student employees.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Staff and Studio Administration
  • Assist the Assistant Director by organizing and overseeing daily operation/labor of the Ceramics facilities. Monitor and maintain Ceramics studios on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Maintain daily departmental opening and closing procedures, firing schedules, clay and glaze mixing, equipment authorizations, supply inventories, and cleaning schedules.
  • Act as primary supervisor for student employees in the operation and maintenance of ceramics facilities including, kiln loading/unloading, firing, and general maintenance/upkeep, glaze and clay mixing, supply inventory, plaster and casting room maintenance, and general cleanliness.
  • Manage student employee hiring and scheduling to ensure proper staffing to meet departmental needs.
  • Assist the Assistant Director in ordering, tracking, and inventorying newly acquired parts and equipment, operating, office, and instructional supplies.
  • Assist in the supervision of the activities of the Ceramics studio during evening and weekend hours. Support the Assistant Director in the maintenance of the facilities and perform daily maintenance procedures.

• Teaching, Instruction, and Communication
  • Provide assistance and instruction to the undergraduate and graduate community.
  • Develop a rapport with students, faculty, and staff, and provide assistance during scheduled class time and open studio hours.
  • Assist students with the development of their individual and group projects.
  • Communicate concern for health, safety, cleanliness issues, and procedures in the department. Discuss requests for facilities improvements with appropriate staff and faculty.
  • Work with staff and faculty to inspect test results and update, change, or add glazes, clay, and slip recipes.

• Equipment and Facilities Management
  • Assist the Assistant Director with maintenance and replacement of all equipment and supplies within the department, including clay and glaze chemicals, electric and gas kilns, potter's wheels, clay mixers, 3D printers, sandblasters, extruders, slab rollers, slip blungers and mixers, plaster working tools, band saw, department furniture, and small tools and equipment.
  • Assist in the supervision of equipment, tools, chemicals, and materials. Enforce policy and authorize students, faculty, and staff in the safe operation and best practices. Communicate department policies and safety information to students, faculty, and staff.
  • Conduct regular and routine authorizations on gas and electric kilns, clay mixers, etc.
  • Respond to urgent/emergency studio concerns in on-call capacity in conjunction with Assistant Director and Department Chair according to Ceramics department calling tree.

• Research and Development
  • Work towards creating, expanding, and updating a large inventory of test tiles and glaze samples with the goal of accurately conveying the widest possible range of glaze, color, and texture applications.
  • Assist in the department’s annual long-term planning process.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

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Vaccination Expectation

Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most important contribution we as individuals can make to ensure our own safety and the safety of our museum and school community. All employees must complete an attestation and provide proof of their vaccination status, or request a medical or religious exemption within the first week of employment.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31