Ceramics Assistant (Canada Summer Jobs)

Summer 2025 - Canada Summer Jobs

The Port Moody Arts Centre is seeking a qualified, creative, and enthusiastic Ceramics Assistant who can provide direction and support for Ceramics Programs. Working closely with the Ceramics Manager, the Assistant to the Ceramics Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Ceramics Studio including mixing and maintaining glazes and supplies, recycling and operating pug mills, firing and operating all kilns, assisting the delivery of ceramics programs and services, and ensuring that the program is operating safely and effectively. They must be familiar with how to operate a variety of different equipment and various artistic techniques. Depending on if they work alone, they may also be in need of some general business and record-keeping skills. Requirements include critical thinking, attention to detail, manual dexterity, consistency, creativity, and organization skills.

They will demonstrate strong communication and problem-solving skills and possess skills to assist studio users as required. This position provides an opportunity to gain hands-on all aspects of the ceramics program on operations with a focus on studio management, community engagement, and leadership experience in a non-profit community arts organization.

The Ceramics Assistant position and its duration are subject to funding approval through the Canada Summer Jobs program.

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About the PoMoArts

PoMoArts, the Port Moody Arts Centre Society, is a not-for-profit community-arts organization that creates art experiences to engage, challenge, and awaken opportunities for connection. We provide art education, exhibitions, and community art experiences in the City of the Arts with various partners and artists each year.

We are supported by a thriving community of artists, volunteers, donors, businesses, associations, and decision-makers. We are an arts centre run primarily by artists, committed to developing, promoting, and celebrating meaningful arts experiences in Port Moody. We offer a full range of visual, ceramic, fibre, media, performing arts and music programs for people of all ages and experience levels. We curate exhibitions of local and regional artists, emerging and established. We create meaningful community art experiences with our partners that explore social issues, lift voices of those less heard, and support community dialogue.

General Summary

The Ceramic Program Assistant is a full-time, benefitted, summer position. This position is primarily responsible for studio monitoring and operations, providing assistance and support for smooth day-to-day function of the Ceramics program for PoMoArts. Primary responsibilities include operating of kilns and associated ceramic processes, monitoring Student Studio, maintaining cleaning and safety procedures, and other work in support of the studio management. Assists Ceramics Program Manager with ceramic studio functions for studio. This position requires flexibility with scheduling and availability to work weekends and afternoon/evenings.

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Responsibilities

‍Ceramics Programming

• Assist with organizing, and planning 2025/2026 Ceramics programming
• Participate in community events and outreach initiatives as a representative of PoMoArts
• Assist maintain an inventory tracking, studio itinerary updating, developing and supply management system for all ceramics supplies and materials used in the delivery of ceramics education programs
• Complete a final report assessing and making recommendations to improve the Summer program

Ceramics Studio Assistance

• Performing specialized and technical duties to ensure efficient and safe operation of studio equipment and kilns
• Operating a wide variety of specialized equipment related to ceramics including pug mills, mixers, wheels, extruder
• Performing minor repairs and adjustments as needed; receiving and storing supplies
• Researches and documents glaze experiments to develop recipes for colour, texture and adherence; tests glazes using a variety of firing temperatures and techniques; mixes over 20 glazes using prescribed recipes
• Manages and inventories clay, dry glaze materials, wet glaze mixes, tools, and other materials throughout the studio in an organized and efficient manner
• Assist glaze testing and mixing
• Executes kiln loading, unloading, and firing, as well as kiln shelf maintenance and kiln room
• Managing clay reclaim including but not limited to drying out clay, pugging clay, and packaging
• Organizes project pick up and notification for classes and members in Ceramics Studio
• Organization and cleaning
• Assist developing glaze colour combination chart
• Responsibility for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Assist with maintaining ceramics studio inventory: clay, tools, and kiln accessories
• General cleaning to ensure a safe, healthy environment for staff and students
• Routine cleaning of the studio area
• Other related duties as required

Summer Art Camp Coordination

• Assist staff, instructors, volunteers, and parents with daily camp logistics and programming
• Assist ceramics instructor for props,  glazing, firing and organizing during Summer camp
• Help facilitate daily sign-in procedures of camp participants, ensuring that all client information and emergency contact forms are complete
• Work with Ceramics Manager to organize and supervise youth volunteers, introducing volunteers to their assigned roles and activities to facilitate smooth integration into programs
• Assist with the documentation of camp activities, including taking photographs of camp participants and coordinating photo release forms
• Assist with the safety protocols as outlined in our Communicable Disease Prevention Plan
• Ensure Health and Safety protocols are in place at all times

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Qualifications

• Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to two years’ college-level training with specialized coursework in ceramics. Good 1-3 years of experience related to Ceramic arts.
• Strong organization and time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Knowledge of:

• Ceramic terminology, policies, procedures, functions, and practices; clay and glaze chemistry
• Operation of kilns, wheels, mixers, and power tools
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy

Ability to:‍

• Perform specialized and technical duties to assure safe and efficient studio operation
• Assure the care, security, and proper storage of artwork, equipment, materials and supplies
• Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public

Asset:‍

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts is desirable
• Proficiency in a second language (e.g., Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Spanish, Japanese or Farsi)
• Familiarity with the unique needs of underrepresented groups, including children & youth with disabilities, Indigenous children & youth, Black and racialized children & youth, 2SLGBTQI+ children & youth, and refugees

Other Eligibility Requirements for the Canada Summer Jobs Program

• Must be between 19 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, for the duration of the employment
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

Remuneration: $18/hour

This is a full-time (35 hours/week) 16-week youth employment opportunity scheduled to take place from May 5 – August 22, 2025. The position and its duration are conditional upon Canada Summer Jobs funding.

How to Apply

Please submit your application to ceramics@pomoarts.ca, according to the following guidelines:

• PDF format only with your COVER LETTER and RESUME
• Your cover letter should clearly indicate why you are interested in this position, what you hope to learn, and what impact it will have on your professional development
• Must use “Ceramics Assistant” as the subject of your email

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Application Deadline: March 7^th, 2025