Reports to: Studio Operations Manager
Department: Programs
Supervision: Interns
Employment Status: Full-time

FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Start date: TBD
Last Updated:  May 31, 2023

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 70. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $7.7 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC.  Our mission supports making lives meaningful through making.

 

Commitment to Equity,  Diversity, and Inclusion

Penland welcomes everyone. Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

 

We believe equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to fulfilling our mission. We want to inspire and nurture the human spirit, and we value the perspectives and contributions of all people. We want the Penland experience to include varied ideas, world views, and personal characteristics. Penland is committed to being a community that welcomes and respects everyone regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, philosophical or political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, and socioeconomic status. We are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination. 

 

Position Summary

The textiles studio coordinator reports directly to the studio operations manager and oversees the two textiles studios. The coordinator works directly with the studio team and collaboratively across the organization to support all programming and studio use throughout the year. This is accomplished by assuring that the facilities and equipment are in good working order and by communicating with programs and instructional staff to plan and support successful programming. The studio coordinator is also responsible for budget planning and tracking, inventory management, processing purchase orders for materials, tools, and equipment related to programming, and communicating and facilitating safety guidelines and practices.  This is a technical, administrative, and services-oriented position.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Manages the studio space and equipment throughout the year for programs such as spring, summer, and fall workshops; short-term residencies; demonstrations, lectures, special events; community education, staff access, and occasional rentals.
• Under the studio operations manager’s direction, works collaboratively with the studio team and facilities staff to maintain equipment and safety systems and manage hazardous waste disposal and materials storage and handling.
• Provides technical assistance and oversight to instructors, students, and staff as it relates to the demonstration and training in the safe operation of studio equipment and materials handling.
• Supports the needs of instructors before and during programming, including: assures good working order of tools and equipment; configures studio space; orders and stocks supplies and materials as requested; researches and shares information about local resources, as needed; serves as the point person for all studio-related questions and concerns for the duration of programming.
• Coordinates and manages the workflow of programming changeovers (weekends), including reviewing and coordinating programming needs upon instructor arrival and conducting onboarding for, and assigning tasks to, studio assistants or interns.
• Trains and manages studio assistants and studio interns: establishes and enforces safety standards, operational procedures, equipment usage guidelines, and procedures for resale for materials; works with studio assistants and interns to develop studio safety guidelines; collaborates with studio operations manager to provide regular studio assistants check-ins for duration of programming.
• Works with the studio operations manager to create an annual budget proposal for studio operating and capital budgets; monitors projects, maintenance, and inventory to remain within the approved annual budget.
• Supports the director of programs and programs manager as requested by providing instructor recommendations, input on course topics, information about the studio’s capacity for enrollment, and its ability to support various activities. 
• Collaborates with and serves as a strong, effective member of the studio team to assure and uphold consistency of safety and administrative policies and procedures across all Penland studios.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

• A general understanding of the field of Craft. 
• A bachelor’s degree with at least three years of relevant professional studio experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• In-depth knowledge of the equipment and technical processes to be used in the studio and the ability to troubleshoot and repair, or facilitate service of, tools and equipment in the studio are required. 
• Knowledge of and commitment to health and safety as it applies to equipment operation and materials handling regulations. 
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills in keeping with Penland’s commitment to generosity. The individual must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be willing to handle sensitive and confidential situations. 
• Ability to work independently, proactively, and also collaboratively.
• Organizational and task management skills are required; prior experience with budget and/or project management is desirable.
• Experience and technical fluency with various software applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, G Suite, and Mac/Windows platforms. In addition, proficiency in the Adobe CC programs, Illustrator, and Photoshop is preferred.
• First Aid and CPR certifications are required and can be provided by Penland.

 

Physical Demands

While performing this job’s duties, the employee is regularly required to sit, work at a computer, and perform repetitive tasks. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or touch objects, tools, or controls, talk fluently and hear. The employee is often required to stand, walk, bend, and walk up and down stairs. This position handles hazardous materials. The employee must regularly lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision required by this job includes close vision. Evening and weekend work is sometimes required by studio programming.

 

Compensation

This is a full-time, year-round, benefits-eligible position consisting of 35 hours per week, with hours flexing up to 40 in the summer months totaling 1890 budgeted hours per year. The salary range for this position is  $17.43 to $18.62 per hour and is negotiable based on the skills and experience an applicant brings to the position. Employees at Penland enjoy competitive pay, attractive benefits, and a lively, creative work environment. 

 

Benefits

We take care of our staff through a wide range of benefits. For your wellness, we offer multiple medical plans, vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and an EAP program. This includes generous vacation, sick, extended sick, and floating holiday leave programs, access to studios, free classes, two paid sabbaticals,  meals during programming, and other discounts. We have other generous benefits which we can explore more during the interview process. 

 

To Apply

The position will remain open until filled, and we will start to review applications after July 7, 2023.  Send your résumé, contact information for three references, and a cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the position to employment@penland.org. Please include Textiles Studio Coordinator as the subject of your email. 

 

We look forward to hearing from you!