Dear List-
The Wichita Unified School District is seeking a Piano
Technician. The brief job description of this position
states:
"Must be knowledgeable in all aspects of piano technology
including tuning, voicing, regulation and general maintenance. Credible
experience necessary which includes one year of trade school or
apprenticeship, and two years of experience.
Registered piano technician preferred as well as the ability to rebuild
pianos...."
The technicians who have held this position over the last 15
years have been
Kent Swafford, Alan Crane, Fengsheng Chen and myself. We have all found
this job an excellent place to begin our careers as school piano
technicians. We are all now working as university technicians.
The school district maintains a remarkable piano shop with a
supply budget that would be the envy of many college technicians. All
tools and also an automobile are supplied. During the school year you
visit schools in the evening, tuning and maintaining pianos. Work load
is reasonable, demand is usually predictable, and you will not often be
under emergency pressures. You will be appreciated.
You will have to deal with some paperwork and rules of the
system, but you get paid by the hour, and if you intend a career in
academics, learning how to file work orders and requisitions is part of
the work. The school district has a good inservice education program,
offering classes in computer use, quality control methods, etc.
The local Guild chapter is a friendly bunch who can offer
some quality mentoring. You will soon be getting all the referral
business you can handle. And you get paid for attending meetings during
work hours!
While you need more than entry level skills to do the work,
you don’t need top level concert skills. More important is an ability
to manage and direct your own work and your own learning. The Musical
Instrument Repair Department recognizes the value of having someone in
an "upwardly mobile skills development path" in this position.
The School District pays excellent benefits, by the way.
Alan Crane and I will be in Providence next month. Please
seek us out if we can help you consider this job. Feel free to call me
at (316) 833-2102 days. After July 1st ask to speak with Jerry Jossy,
who is leadperson for musical instrument repair.
Submit your resume to Charlene Peterson, Personnel
Specialist, Wichita Public Schools, 201 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202.
Sincerely,
Ed Sutton, RPT
Piano Technician, Wichita USD 259
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