Glass Studio Technician

The Glass Studio Technician works within the Sculpture Dimensional Studies (SDS) Division in the School of Art and Design at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. This position is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, and safe operation of all SDS glass facilities, including all areas of glassblowing, glass casting, and the neon studio, as well as the hot shop, kiln room, flat glass shop, cold shop, and glass­related equipment in plaster and wax areas. 

This is a highly hands-on, technical position responsible for ensuring all equipment, materials, and facilities are maintained, safe, and fully operational to support teaching, research, and visiting artists year-round. The technician works closely with faculty and collaborates with SDS technical staff, student workers, and university departments. 

The Glass Studio Technician is responsible for the instaUation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of specialized glass equipment and systems. This includes oversight of ventilation, plumbing, electrical, electronic, gas, and combustion systems, as we{{ as coordination with Facilities, Maintenance, IT, and Environmental Health & Safety. Responsibilities also include maintaining compliance with safety standards (fire codes, ADA, MSOS, chemical storage and disposal), coordinating inspections and renovations, and supporting the implementation and enforcement of studio safety protocols. 

While this position will assist faculty with demonstrations and support the enforcement of studio protocols, it is not a teaching role.
 
This position plays a critical role in maintaining Alfred University's significant investment in glass facilities and ensuring a safe, uninterrupted, and high-quality educational environment. 

This position/title is covered by the CSEA, Local 749 union contract. The successful candidate will be a member of the CSEA, Local 749 bargaining unit.

Rate: $24.48-$25.89, 40hrs/week, Union Grade 3

Reponsbilities Includes:

• Maintaining and updating preventative maintenance schedules and task lists 
• Managing inventory and procurement of materials and consumables Training and supervising student workers and technical apprentices Coordinating with other technical staff to support studio operations 
• Serving as an emergency responder in the event of furnace outages. 

Requirements:

• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree with minimum four years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent professional experience. 
• Proficiency, technical knowledge, and ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair a wide variety of glass and sculpture related equipment, including but not limited to, furnaces, kilns, neon manifold, neon and flameworking torches, and coldworking equipment (flat laps, belt sanders, grinders, lathes, saws, etc.) 
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of motor controls, machining, burner systems, kiln construction and monitoring equipment. 
  • Proficiency with attention to detail in welding, woodworking, fabricating and mechanical skills. 
  • Working knowledge of electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and gas systems. 
  • Must be familiar with and update knowledge of health and safety standards. 
  • bility to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 
  • Ability to independently learn new skills and technical information. 
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
  • Ability to interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 
  • Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate policies, procedures, information, ideas, and instructions effectively to a wide range of skill levels, personalities, and backgrounds. 
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from faculty, visiting artists, techs, students and the general public. 
  • Ability to write clear reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
  • Ability to prepare and track budgets, procure quotes, and build relationships with vendors. 
  • Must be self-motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively; well organized, detail­oriented, and able to work with a wide range of people (faculty, students, staff) with a variety of skill levels. 
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook and ability to print signage. 
  • Must communicate by email and Trello project management platform. 
  • The capacity to communicate effectively in a positive manner is a must. 
• Preferred:
  • Familiarity with CAD software and digital tools. 
  • Forklift Operation (can be trained at Alfred) 
  • Knowledge of glass processes, including neon, glassblowing, glass casting, kiln forming, coldworking, and flameworking 

Questions about the position can be directed to Angus Powers, Sculpture Dimensional Studies Division Head, at [email protected] 

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Personal Protective Equipment must be worn when required.  A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required.  Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts, etc., may or may not be available.  The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather to other buildings or offices located on the campus.  The Campus is in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility-impaired individuals.

About Alfred University:
Lighting the way for students since 1836. “We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor, and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836.”

Alfred University (AU) was founded on principles of social justice in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. The University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins. Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States as well as one of the earliest nineteenth-century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students. It has a long-standing history of educating socially conscious students who make a difference in their professions and their communities.

Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology to its nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students that live, learn, and play on a 232-acre campus located in an idyllic, creative valley in Western New York.
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Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.