ART & ARTH Studio Technician

ART & ARTH Studio Technician

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community. UNC Asheville's commitment to increasing and sustaining the diversity of our faculty, staff, and students is reflected in our strategic plan goals of diversity and inclusion, and social sustainability. Women, traditionally under-represented minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The Department of Art & Art History is the second largest department on campus offering six concentrations in studio art; ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The department is seeking to hire an Art and Art History Studio Technician to work with students and faculty within the department to utilize studio spaces and equipment.
The Art and Art History Studio Technician is responsible for maintaining a safe and organized art studio space environment, ensuring proper use of equipment and materials, and supervising students in the spaces, while also managing inventories and budgets in collaboration and with approval of departmental faculty within the concentration areas. The Studio Technician will be responsible for developing and administering programs and procedures to support and promote safety and equipment training, To be successful, the candidate must possess prior knowledge of studio equipment, ability to work autonomously and with students, and to promote safety, equipment maintenance and training, material literacy, and training in processes. This role works directly with UNCA faculty, staff, and students earning a BA or BFA degree or K-12 Licensure. The work with students involves providing guidance and mentoring students in the development, creation, and exhibition/presentation of art. The employee in this position may have occasional teaching or co-teaching responsibilities if needed.
The position requires a Master in Fine Arts degree. May also consider candidates with a Bachelor's and significantly equivalent experience. Ability to lift 50 lbs. to waist height. Valid driver's license.
MFA degree in art with previous experience working in high-paced academic studios. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated experience in Ceramics and Sculpture. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience working in and managing high energy academic studios. Extensive experience loading and firing all types of kilns – wood, electric and gas. Experience with traditional Anagama firing aspects (sourcing and preparing wood, organizing and maintaining shifts, training students, etc.). Experience maintaining bricks for kilns (cutting, cleaning, grinding, organizing, etc.) Experience repairing and maintaining electric and gas kilns, electric wheels, clay mixers, slab rollers, spray booths and extruders. Experience with woodworking equipment/processes (table saw, band saw, jointer, miter saw, planer, drill press, sanders, etc.). Experience with metal fabrication equipment/processes (shear, brake, roller, hydraulic press, media blaster, drill press, grinders, sanders, etc.). Experience with MIG, TIG and Oxy-Acetylene equipment and processes. Experience with forge and foundry equipment and processes. Experience with mold-making, slip-casting, lost-wax and other casting processes. Familiarity with common non-traditional sculptural materials/processes. Managing inventories of consumables, materials and supplies in a studio and gallery environments. Experience hanging and installing artwork in a gallery setting, as well as the ability to train students to hang and install artwork. Enforcement of all safety regulations. Familiarity with CNC technology, including 3D printers.