Glassblower

glassybaby•Livingston, MT

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Glassblowers typically work in 4-person teams creating glassybaby votives, drinkers, and rockers. Each member contributes by performing a different task associated with production. Each glassblowing team is required to complete a defined number of qualified products within their assigned shift. The role has multiple levels of progression: Level 1 (Color Dropper), Level 2 (Overlayer), Level 3 (Mold Blower), and Level 4 (Trimmer). Each subsequent level requires proficiency in the duties of the preceding levels, with higher levels also requiring demonstrated leadership skills.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience as a glassblower or trade preferred.
Demonstrated ability to perform work in a team environment, not solely as an individual contributor.
Tolerate exposure to cold or heat, machinery such as furnaces and high levels of noise.
Strong hand-eye coordination skills with a high standard of attention to detail.
Ability to work weekends; as well as evenings, holidays, and on-call shifts when necessary.
Professional, courteous, and clear verbal communication skills.
Initiative-taker and proactive; able to work independently without supervision.
Excellent work ethic.
Previous glassblowing experience preferred.
Ability to regularly lift-up to 35 pounds and rarely lift to 50 pounds.
Frequent standing and walking.
Must be able to work in conditions that are impacted by furnace heat, weather, and climate.
Must be able to speak and hear well enough to conduct conversations.
Vision abilities are critical and include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Must be able to work in an environment where noise level is usually high.
Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel; must be able to frequently reach with hands and arms; below, at and above the waistline

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated leadership skills (required for Level 3 and 4)

Responsibilities

Pre-heat color rods and ensure they fit trays.
Keep color box full during shift.
Pick-up color bar with punty, heat it, and section out a color drop for an overlayer.
Clean and shuck used pipes and return them to the warmer.
Create start bubbles in molten glass.
Cut molten colored glass from partner’s pipe and overlay the color.
Pull molten glass from the furnace with the pipe.
Shape glass with blocks at the bench.
Take glass to the mold to shape and expand the glass.
Prepare the molded shape to be transferred to the final production step.
Transfer glass from the punty and heat in the oven.
Use tools to pull off and trim excess glass, and then finally shape and finish the item to the appropriate size and shape.
Act as team leader to ensure that all team members are performing their duties properly, accurately, and at the required production pace.