Here's an extremely detailed (and somewhat repetitive) description of the job I just retired from at Sonoma State University/Green Music Center:
Responsibilities
Reporting to and under the direction of the Director of Production and Technical Operations (Director), the GMC Piano Technician is responsible for piano tuning activities at various locations at the Green Music Center, including halls and classrooms. The incumbent tunes, voices, regulates action, and repairs mechanical problems. In addition, the GMC Piano Technician tunes and provides minor maintenance to harpsichords and related instruments. Assignments will require significant adeptness at tuning, regular use of reversible voicing techniques, and regulating instruments to the exact tonal qualities and touch desired by individual pianists.
Major duties of the position include, but are not limited to, tuning, voicing, and regulating piano instruments to achieve the highest level of musical performance. On non-show days, this includes tuning and maintaining classroom/rehearsal pianos at times when the rooms are available, and on show days providing multiple piano tunings per Artist's technical rider (i.e. in the morning before they arrive, in the afternoon after sound check, and a quick check during intermission). The incumbent remains onsite through intermission for additional touch-up for all presenting concerts and fundraising events, working closely with artists and their representatives, faculty and students to provide desired voicing and sound.
The incumbent tunes pianos, repairs and replaces worn or broken parts. Tuning includes tuning the instrument to the correct concert pitch 440Hz, 441Hz or 442Hz, and regulating the piano action and voicing the piano hammers to exact specifications, or tuning, voicing, and regulating an instrument to the exact tonal qualities and touch desired by individual pianists, including "concert preparation" for all public performances. Other maintenance and repair responsibilities include inspecting and diagnosing problems and the adjustment, repair, or replacement of working or broken parts such as strings, key coverings, keys, felts, pedals, hammers, whippens, straps, flanges, bridges, stop rails, pedal boards, damper assemblies, lyre assemblies, fall boards, music racks, lids, piano benches, and piano legs and piano casters. Maintenance also includes regular cleaning of the keys, dusting, and basic cleaning and polishing of the case of the pianos, both inside the instrument and outside.
When authorized and funded by the Director, the incumbent also overhauls and rebuilds pianos, which typically includes repairing of strings, sound boards, and repairing or replacing bridges, pinblocks and plates; restringing pianos with wire of the proper gauge; and rebuilding or adjusting damper assemblies, lyre assemblies, casters, key frames and keys. Basic maintenance and repair of the outside casing of the pianos is included.
The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative to maintain the pianos in excellent playing and appearance condition at all times; identify, maintain, and repair issues in a timely manner; and notify the Director of any required repairs or maintenance that require additional equipment and/or supplies to determine the best course of action. The incumbent also establishes and maintains an efficient process for piano users to report or request repair, maintenance, and/or tuning issues and documents follow-up that the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the user. A weekly log of work performed is maintained, including specific piano, location, time and nature of work performed.
Performs other secondary duties as assigned.
Duties take place mostly in various locations at the Green Music Center, and other venues located at Sonoma State University. As a non-exempt employee, any request for overtime will be specified and pre-approved by Appropriate Administrator. Your specific start time is determined by your Appropriate Administrator. Evening and weekend hours will be required and will be specified only by the supervisor to meet operational needs. The incumbent must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such levels as is determined by the Appropriate Administrator. For performances, which usually take place on nights and weekends, the incumbent will perform a concert piano tuning prior to the dress rehearsal, a concert tuning before the event, and remain on site through intermission for additional touch-up, or as directed by the Appropriate Administrator. The position may require occasional travel, by automobile and airplane, and the incumbent must be able to work some night and weekend hours with overnight stays.
Qualifications
This position requires two years of experience in tuning and repairing pianos, harpsichords, and related instruments; as well as two years of experience in overhauling and rebuilding pianos. Completion of a formal training program which provides the individual with the knowledge and abilities required of the position may be substituted for the two years of general tuning and repairing experience. Five years of professional piano tuning experience for large organizations and/or concert halls, including experience in tuning and repairing pianos, harpsichords, and related instruments; and membership and active participation in the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) is highly preferred. Certification and/or participation in workshops by premier piano manufacturers, like Steinway, Yamaha, Fazioli and license as a Precision Touch Design installer preferred. Intermediate proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) is required.
The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to tune, regulate action and voice a piano to exact specifications; ability to inspect and diagnose problems, sometimes in a limited amount of time, and make minor repairs, clean and polish pianos and related instruments; ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position. In addition, the incumbent must possess thorough knowledge of the principles of design, construction and mechanical operation of pianos; ability to tune, regulate and voice a piano to the exact tonal qualities and touch desired by various individual pianists, including world-class artists; ability to play the piano to the degree sufficient for thorough evaluation of the tuning, the regulation, the pedal operation, and the voicing of a concert grand piano; and the ability to overhaul and rebuild pianos.
The incumbent must also demonstrate a positive track record of working with artists, tour managers, administrators, staff, faculty, and students, demonstrate discretion and judgment relative to the artistic needs of visiting artists, faculty, and students. The incumbent must possess a wide range of voicing skills, and use a wide range of reversible voicing techniques to accommodate sometimes conflicting visiting artists performance needs. The incumbent must be capable and experienced in responding to the demanding standards of world-class performers, as well as providing impeccable service to local artists, students, faculty, and staff. Must have the ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the university and establish and maintain productive and effective, inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, students, and other internal and external constituents. Must be able to accept constructive feedback and work cooperatively in group situations.
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Larry Lobel RPT
San Francisco chapter
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2019 17:11
From: Douglas Wood
Subject: Job descriptions
The time is coming very soon to fill the other 1/2-time position at the UW School of Music. I would like to take this opportunity to update the job description such that it paves the way for better compensation. So I was hoping that a few of you could send me job descriptions at your institutions if they are in the public domain. I hope to identify language that matters to the Administration (Ha!) and work it into the posting.
Thanks in advance. Send as you prefer to the CAUT list or to my email as listed here.
Doug