Description:
To facilitate the technical and physical aspects of artists’ residencies and other Arts/Industry programming needs, the Technician is the direct support of Arts/Industry artists-in-residence through facility, process, and materials instruction at Kohler Co. The Technician meets with the artists-in-residence on a daily basis and guides the technical development of their progress in the studio.

Arts/Industry Foundry Technicians will uilize all studio facilities, equipment, tools, materials; residency documents; and training or instructional documents.

Oversees any additional Arts Center workspaces and/or assistants/personnel within the Foundry.
Develops and facilitates and facilitating any Foundry specific instructional workshops or experiences.
Engages in other Arts/Industry and John Michael Kohler Arts Center programming including exhibition assistance and related events.
 

Problem Solving: Arts/Industry Foundry Technicians will identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; Gather and analyze information skillfully; Develop practical, thorough, and creative alternative solutions; Work well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Adaptability: Adapts readily to changes in the work environment; Has the ability to learn, interpret, and apply a wide variety of policies, procedures, information, ideas, and instructions relating to and impacting the program; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events. Ability to work with a wide range of skill levels, personalities, and backgrounds and to modify strategies accordingly.

Self-Assessment: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others. Able to accept constructive feedback

Technical knowledge: The technical knowledge base for the Arts/Industry Foundry Technician includes slip casting, model making, and mold making; experience with clay and glaze technology and formulation, plaster, and firing procedures.

Interpersonal: Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and in a team environment; maintain productive and effective, inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, interns, and other internal and external constituents.

Benefits:  

Full time exempt and non exempt employees qualify for the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision coverage
• 403 (b) retirement plan
• Short and long term disability income.
• Group accident and critical illness insurance.
• Paid time off, vacation, sick days and holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Family Membership to the Art Center
• Discount for SHOP, Art Space, CAFE purchases, ticketed events, classes, pre-school and other charged offerings.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) required with four years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Language Skills:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate policies, procedures, information, ideas, and instructions effectively to a wide range of skill levels, personalities, and backgrounds.
• Mathematical Skills:  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning Ability:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Computer Skills:  To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook. Communication by email is a must.
• Other Skills and Abilities:  Forklift training

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, or stand for long periods; push, pull, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; lift objects from the ground to above the shoulder; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 30 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. The job is to help the artists with their work, so it is necessary to see color, shape, and from a distance. Also, the ability to see machines and vehicles moving around the factory is essential.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of Arts/Industry Foundry Technician, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, or processes that may be potential health and safety hazards, which would require the use of a properly fitted dust mask and/or half face respirator and/or other personal protective equipment. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; weather conditions; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The position is in a factory setting and hearing protection is provided if needed so specific duties are not affected.

Employees of the John Michael Kohler Art Center are required to satisfy the requirements of our mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy and will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement, in accordance with applicable law.

This is an office-based position.