Assistant Manager of Piano Technology (Piano Operations)

Job Details

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

The Piano Technology Department is seeking the Assistant Manager of Piano Technology who will report to the Manager of Piano Technology, and function as a member of the Piano Technology team.

The Assistant Manager of Piano Technology will be a key member of the Piano Technology team. They will be responsible for day to day shop projects, assistance in managing the parts inventory, concert level tunings, voicing, repair, fine action regulation, moving with the assistance of the piano lift 2, cleaning, restringing, action rebuilds, and general maintenance of instruments used for practice and performances for the Peabody Institute. The Assistant Manager of Piano Technology will manage hiring and instructional training for student workers hired within the department.

The incumbent of this position must also be able to work with computers and help in maintaining our inventory of over 250 pianos, sending digital contracts for piano rentals, and manage our online request management system. Training in all online systems will be provided.

This is a full-time 12-month position with the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University supporting both the Conservatory and the Preparatory, as such, the incumbent must be available to work evenings and weekends when asked, dictated by the concert and performance schedule.

The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University advances a dynamic, 21st-century model of performing arts training in pursuit of its mission: to elevate the human experience through leadership at the intersection of art and education. Through its Conservatory for undergraduate and graduate studies and the Preparatory, Baltimore’s largest community performing arts school, Peabody empowers musicians and dancers from diverse backgrounds to create and perform at the highest level.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform concert tunings and high-level maintenance of pianos for the Peabody Institute.
• Monitor the serviceability of all pianos at the Peabody Institute; assist in developing schedules for tuning and general maintenance.
• Responsible for aiding in servicing, regulating, repairing, rebuilding, stringing and cleaning of pianos as needed.
• Attends concerts for pre- and intermission tunings, as requested.
• Work with faculty on all piano-related needs as requested.
• Tunes and maintains non-Conservatory University pianos as needed or as requested by Peabody leadership or the Piano Technology Manager.
• Manages the day to day schedule in the piano shop
• Keeps track of the parts inventory and market specific changes in quality and pricing
• Helps to hire and manage the student staff
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to support working with students, faculty, dealers, donors, and guest performers as necessary to perform the job.
• Ability to participate in moving pianos with the assistance of equipment
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and problem solve. Interacts positively with others and functions as a member of the team

Specific Physical Requirements for the Job:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Will be required to pass background check and complete university required compliance training.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks such as occasional use of hazardous solvents (acetone, lacquer) when necessary, which requires following basic safety precautions and wearing safety equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Education from a premier program such as the North Bennet Street School can stand in for some years of experience according to the conversion scale
• Four years of experience including concert level tuning, knowledge of grand and upright piano repair, rebuilding and maintenance; installation of action parts; action regulation; understanding of parts geometry; and voicing for professional musician standards.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six years of experience with concert tuning is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred.
• RPT certification from the PTG- Piano Technician’s Guild

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

• Must be able to tune aurally with accuracy and stability.
• Expertise in concert level tuning.
• Expertise in shop management.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills (orally and in writing) and basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of acceptable work standards in the rebuilding and maintenance of pianos and related instruments
• Knowledge regarding the effects of humidity and seasonal changes on pianos

Classified Title: Piano Services Coordinator
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Manager of Piano Technology (Piano Operations)
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MD
Starting Salary Range: $55,800 - $97,600 Annually ($76,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: 37.5 hours per week
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Peabody Institute
Department name: Piano Operations
Personnel area: Peabody