Reports to Community Program Steward / Co-Executive Directors
Position Summary:
The Ceramics Studio Manager oversees the daily operations, safety, and educational integrity of Cobscook Institute’s ceramics studio, ensuring the space reflects and advances the organization’s mission, vision, and values. This role maintains a clean, well-equipped, and fully functional studio; manages kiln operation and related maintenance; mixes glazes and reclaims clay; and coordinates all ceramics programs, workshops, and volunteer-run open studio sessions. Working closely with the Community Program Steward, the manager schedules programs, secures and supports instructors, tracks registrations, and trains instructors and volunteers in studio protocols and Cobscook’s teaching philosophy. The position requires strong technical ceramics skills, effective communication and leadership abilities, and a commitment to creating an accessible, positive, community-centered learning environment.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Oversight of Ceramics Studio Space
Assure full functionality of ceramics studio by ensuring the space is clean/tidy and safe at all times
Coordinate with instructors, volunteers, and students to ensure the studio is cleaned following classes and open studio (including wet-wiping shelves and mopping the floor)
Ensure that the studio is well-equipped with needed tools, equipment, and clay by maintaining an active inventory and communicating proactively and in advance with the Community Program Steward when tools/equipment need to be replaced and supplies need to be restocked
Manage all aspects of kiln operation - loading/unloading the kiln as needed, and supervising/supporting authorized and trained volunteers in unloading/loading the kiln
Clean/wash kiln shelves; vacuum the kiln between firings; and perform light kiln maintenance as needed
Mix glazes and recycle reclaimed clay
2. Program & Open Studio Coordination
In coordination with Community Program Steward (CPS), set the annual schedule of pottery sessions and workshops and work with CPS to load programs on Cobscook’s course registration system
Secure instructors for all sessions and workshops or teach as available/needed - be available to sub for instructors as reasonable.
Track session/workshop payments and followup as needed
Train / support / onboard instructors and studio volunteers regarding studio protocols and Cobscook teaching and learning philosophies, guided by Cobscook’s mission, vision, and values
Coordinate schedule of volunteer-run open studio sessions
Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Technical skills: Understands glaze chemistry and is able to formulate a glaze from a recipe and make colored slips
Serve as the main point person to instructors and volunteers and offer planning, technical assistance, and general problem-solving support as needed
Ability to travel to procure clay as needed
Clear communication and collaborative problem-solving skills
Ability and experience to teach beginning ceramics courses
Experience developing community education programs and workshops related to ceramics
Demonstrated commitment to Cobscook Institute’s mission
A sense of humor and commitment to create a positive work environment
Ability to lift 50 pounds
POSITION TYPE: Part-time, up to 20 hours/week
Schedule:
The person in this role can expect to have a predictable schedule, with day-to-day variation as needed to support courses and open studio needs. Ability to stand in as a substitute for course instructors if needed is preferable.