Greetings, The piano tech job at Kent State, Kent Ohio, is now open (12 months, 40 hours a week). I am moving on to other things, but I would like to see someone good take over the position. You'd be in charge of 65 pianos and 2 harpsichords, including a beautiful new S&S D. Most of the instruments (about half and half Steinway and Baldwin, with a smattering of others) are getting older and approaching rebuilding time. I have rebuilt most of the actions and have done some structural work over the last 15 years, but many pinblocks and soundboards will soon be needed, either in-house or farmed out. Kent is a cosmopolitan university set in a small town. The people are very nice to work with, and you mainly set your own hours. You need to be there at least part of the school day, but will also have to come in some evening and weekend hours. You must be disciplined and a self-starter, and a good communicator. One of your big challenges will be to keep pushing the administration to buy new pianos on a regular basis (look for allies among the faculty). The starting pay is weak, but benefits are great, including free tuition (I got my baccalaureate and my wife got hers and a masters). Despite my entreaties, I don't know if they're going to advertise in the journal or not, so if you could mention this in your meetings, I'd appreciate it. The given deadline for applying is May 30, and I don't know if that will be extended. For the official info on the job and applying: http://www.kent.edu/vph/job_op.htm (see May 15) PIANO TECHNICIAN School of Music. Wage: $12.74. Basic Function and Responsibility: Independently manages and maintains piano inventory; performs general maintenance and complex rebuilding and repairs; maintains records. Characteristic Job Duties: Diagnosis problems, rebuilds and performs complex repairs on pianos and harpsichords (e.g., repairs and/or replaces action, strings, hammers, shanks, soundboards). Maintains records of inventory, tuning, repairs, rebuilding, moving, etc.; provides periodic reports on inventory to Director. Maintains piano shop; orders, and/or purchases necessary tools and parts; maintains technical library. Arranges for piano moves; makes recommendations to Director concerning piano maintenance, tuning and purchases. Serves as campus and community liaison for piano related concerns. May train and direct student or temporary employees. Performs related duties as required. Qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities): High school diploma or equivalent plus formal training in piano structure, maintenance, mechanical procedure, tuning, and repair. A minimum of four years experience in piano tuning and repair. Microsoft Access is required. Professional standing in Piano Technician's Guild preferred. Requirements: Must successfully pass a physical examination and possess a valid Ohio driver's license. Work Schedule: Normally, forty hours per week Monday through Friday. However, some evening and weekend hours will be required. Application Deadline: May 30, 2000. A comprehensive listing of essential functions is available in the Personnel Department.
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