Woodworking Department Head
Summary
Oversee the woodworking department at an arts education nonprofit, managing faculty, curriculum, and classes while teaching woodworking skills and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
Job Title: Woodworking Department Head
Reports To: Director of Programs
Status: Part-Time, (24hrs per week) Non-exempt
Salary: $30.00 hour
Our mission:
The Crucible inspires creative exploration and expression through welcoming, hands-on arts education and experiences for people of diverse ages and backgrounds. As an innovative hub built around the industrial arts, The Crucible is a catalyst for individual growth and vibrant community connections.
In addition to supporting working and emerging artists and art students, The Crucible is increasingly focused on supporting career pathways into the arts and the industrial trades, and on supporting access to our programs, for BIPOC youth and families, especially those from West Oakland. A leader in the Bay Area arts community, The Crucible is widely recognized for its exceptional learning experiences, rich and varied arts programs, skilled and committed faculty, and unparalleled educational facilities.
Job summary: Department Heads are the leaders of their department. They collaborate with the Programs team on faculty recruitment, retention, and scheduling, as well as on class planning, new courses, and curriculum development. They are responsible for making sure that their department feels welcoming, safe, and inclusive of everyone interested in learning. We look to them to develop students who are interested, into skilled artists, and help those students move into teaching roles when applicable. Department heads are the point person for sharing information about what is happening in their department. We rely on them to keep their department faculty informed of new educational procedures, safety and skills training opportunities, as well as new classes.
Key Responsibilities
? Work closely with Faculty Coordinator, Programs staff, and Director of Programs to plan and schedule classes and fill them with available faculty
? Work with Studio and Programs to manage the ordering for upcoming classes, and with Studio to store and manage inventory for classes
? Hold an hour long department meeting quarterly to communicate key developments, challenges, and opportunities in the department, (virtual meetings are fine and we can help you set them up)
? Support The Crucibles’ equity and inclusion goals by making your department a safe, welcoming, and supportive place for everyone
? Create and offer equitable TA and teaching opportunities
? Work collaboratively with other departments on ways to improve systems, coordinate energy and equipment usage, and support artists and learners
? Send out a bimonthly email to department members updating them on department news
? Write and send out a short, quarterly “newsletter”/update to Crucible wood department alumni
? Attend faculty meetings
? Develop and maintain area procedures and standards in partnership with studio crew
? Relay facility or equipment problems that could impact classes to studio and programs teams
? Evaluate/observe new instructors and TAs
? Offer training to develop teaching assistants in your department
? Develop programming and curriculum in advance for new classes and workshops
? Teach in your department on an active basis; ability to instruct woodturning a plus