Ceramics Equipment Technician

California State University, Northridge•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$4,090 - $5,959•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Department Chair, the Ceramics Equipment Technician provides technical equipment and facility support for the Ceramics program and related Art Education instructional spaces. The incumbent operates and maintains specialized ceramics equipment and tools, including electric and gas kilns, electric wheels, pug mills, clay mixers, slab rollers, sandblasters, spray guns, casting machines, air compressors, decal printers, ball mills, extruders, and plaster/mold-making equipment. Monitors equipment and assigned work areas for proper operation and identifies maintenance, repair, and safety needs. Implements applicable safety procedures and hazardous-material handling requirements within assigned ceramics facilities and coordinates hazardous-waste collection and disposal in accordance with established Environmental Health & Safety university procedures. Performs routine installation and preventative maintenance of all major equipment and minor tools used in ceramics, including those in the equipment check-out facility. Provides faculty and students with information regarding the safe and appropriate use of assigned spaces, materials, and equipment. Provides technical guidance to department technicians, graduate assistants, students, and other users regarding ceramics equipment, established procedures, and safe equipment use. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Equivalent to one year of journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair and operation of scientific or technical equipment in the specialty area to which assigned such as mechanical, electromechanical, electronics or in the specialized category requiring construction and fabrication skills and some precision work, trade or craft skills working with a variety of unique materials, or specialized knowledge and skill related to unusual equipment.
Equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for the required experience.
Equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the type of equipment repair to which assigned, completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in the required type of equipment maintenance and repair may be substituted for the required experience.
Knowledge of specialized ceramics equipment, tools, and facility operations, including equipment installation, preventative maintenance, repair, adjustment, operational safety, and applicable hazardous-material handling and waste-disposal procedures; possess knowledge of kiln controllers, burners, elements, regulators, and safety systems for the Ceramics area.
Ability to inspect and troubleshoot ceramics equipment and instructional workspaces; identify maintenance, repair, and safety needs; fabricate specialized furniture and work surfaces; coordinate facility upkeep; and accurately document maintenance and repair activities using manual and computerized systems.
Knowledge of instructional space operations, inventory practices, purchasing processes, and established procedures for the safe use, storage, and handling of ceramics equipment, materials, supplies, and chemicals.
Ability to provide training, work direction, and technical guidance to students and other users; coordinate instructional space and resource needs; maintain accurate inventory records; identify vendors and supply sources; and process routine purchasing and procurement transactions in accordance with established procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience with kiln building and repair is highly desirable

Responsibilities

Monitors equipment and assigned work areas for proper operation and identifies maintenance, repair, and safety needs.
Implements applicable safety procedures and hazardous-material handling requirements within assigned ceramics facilities and coordinates hazardous-waste collection and disposal in accordance with established Environmental Health & Safety university procedures.
Performs routine installation and preventative maintenance of all major equipment and minor tools used in ceramics, including those in the equipment check-out facility.
Provides faculty and students with information regarding the safe and appropriate use of assigned spaces, materials, and equipment.
Provides technical guidance to department technicians, graduate assistants, students, and other users regarding ceramics equipment, established procedures, and safe equipment use.
Performs other duties as assigned.