Kiln Loader/Production Floater

Pratt + Larson•Portland, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Pratt + Larson is on a mission to enrich the lives of our team, our partners, and our customers. We are a team of dreamers, creators, and magicians. We pour our heart and soul into our work, and it shows. We’re always looking for passionate, imaginative people to collaborate with on the next awe-inspiring design – and we’ve built our company around the growth and engagement of people like you. If that stokes your fire, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about our company and what we do here, check out our website at www.prattandlarson.com. This job is full-time; Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30-am - 5:00pm. The Kiln Loading Team Member/Production Floater supports efficient studio operations by flexing between kiln loading, firing support, and general production assistance wherever needed. This role helps maximize kiln capacity, maintain quality and firing accuracy, and provide hands-on support across departments to keep workflow moving safely, efficiently, and to high product standards.

Requirements

Familiarity with ceramics and/or manufacturing processes
Ability to perform functions effectively in a fast-paced, multiple deadline, team environment
Can stand for up to 8 hours a day with frequent bending and lifting
Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with a wide variety of personalities
Good communication skills

Responsibilities

Willingness to learn new tasks and shift projects frequently
Ability to take direction from multiple sources, prioritize tasks and seek out assignments
Under moderate supervision, performs and documents kiln operations following approved work instructions and established department procedures for efficient use of kiln and/or furnace capacity
Loads and unloads product for kilns and product into setters up to 80% of the time as needed
Takes incremental readings and maintains firing within specifications for all kilns and/or furnaces
Able to program several types of kiln controllers to many varied firing cycles in accordance with the material needs.
Performs routine basic maintenance operations on kiln and/or furnaces as required
Corrects firing related issues through troubleshooting, problem solving, or other method as needed; notifies appropriate personnel of corrections
Notifies lead, supervisor, or engineer in the event of issues or concerns regarding kiln equipment or product condition
Tracks kiln and/or furnace furniture quality including inventories, reconfiguring and reloading as required; may include visual and dimensional inspection of refractory.
Also trains as a sprayer, applying glazes to tile, and testing glazes to find the right coverage, temperature, and surface, and adjusts accordingly to produce a high-quality finished product.
Helps with washing glaze overspray off boards
Assists and/or performs in all areas assigned
Participates in team and Companywide meetings
Must embrace and reflect Pratt + Larson’s mission and core values: Enrichment, Cultivating Culture, Tile Dreams, Leading the Way and Taking Ownership