It appears to be a good starting salary, but the cost of living, being a world-class resort area would be similar to living in Aspen or Vale, isn't it? pw <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>Mark Cramer <cramer@brandonu.ca> Sent by: caut-bounces@ptg.org 09/08/2008 11:36 PM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>"'College and University Technicians'" <caut@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> Meanwhile… the Banff Centre has posted an assistant technician’s position offering a starting salary, with all things considered, that appears to be a generous leap upwards from what the average head CAUT seems to be making, and it hasn’t been all that easy gathering a short-list of qualified applicants. (!?)     And there may not be another CAUT posting in all the world that even compares with this:   <ul> <li>Spectacular setting in the Canadian Rockies <li>World-class Center for the Arts <li>All the professional development opportunities and high-level experience one could ask for <li>Multiple concert-stages / recording –studios / internationally recognized musicians <li>Amazing health care and benefits.</ul>  As Bert mentioned recently, the assistant position comes with the same level of challenges and requires the same level of skills as the head technician. So applicants must be able to tune at a concert/recording level and have solid technical skills. You will be kept busy!   Having said that… if there are that many highly-qualified technicians not happy in their present situation, we should begin to see some very impressive resumes.     Not everyone has the same desires or circumstance, but if you are looking for a more fulfilling future, there are options, but you may need to actually explore them.   Best regards, Mark Cramer, RPT Brandon University Sessional Faculty Technician, the Banff Centre for the Arts     PS Typically contract tuners are looked at as low cost/ low skill, and that may be true, or not. Even if the skills are there, what they often lack is confidence and experience working in a performance setting.   So, if you have proven skills at an RPT level but are unsure about working in a performance environment, what you need to do is look into the work study program at Banff. Come out and work with the kind of support and opportunities that are matched to your personal risk/comfort level, but challenge your skills. Then you’ll really see what you’ve got!                                                     <div align=center> <hr></div> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jon Page Sent: September 8, 2008 5:28 PM To: caut@ptg.org Subject: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions   If universities require so much experience with concert level tech ability, then they should cough up the bucks and pay for it.  Their reputation is on the line. There's got to be a way to open these folks eyes to see what they have to lose, but I don't know what it is.....   Why should they, their offers are being met by yourselves. JeffTanner seems to be the only guy standing up to upgrade this very field.  Kudos.   If you don't have the tenacity to make it on your own in the private sector, accept what your are metered out.   Personally I think it is disgraceful what is paid for piano technicians at a caut setting where comparable administrative positions (bureaucrats) receive a pay grade in multiple factors.   We just have not yet come into our own, just yet.   As long as 'become a piano tuner' is promoted on the back of a pack of matches, what kind of credibility can there be.  Alright maybe exaggerated a bit, I haven't actually seen the advert.  But you get my intention.   But that's the attitude of the administration, Dime a Dozen.   Put in for more money. Get reclassified if it is a state pay grade. Why should piano techs. Are p-techs on the same grade as custodians (janitors)?   Even Dr. Phil says, "(In ways) You tell people how to treat you."   Gotta go, have more to say... -- Regards, Jon Page