Job Description

Benefits: 401(k) Employee discounts Position Title:

Pottery Instructor / Studio Assistant Reports To:

Studio Manager / Assistant Manager Location:

Bitter Root Pottery Beverly Grove

This combined role teaches ceramic classes and keeps the studio running. Instructor/Studio Assistants lead safe, engaging classes for adults, children, and private groups, and handle pottery processing, kiln and clay work, customer service, cleaning, and event support.

Before applying, make sure you have at least 1 year of experience wheel-throwing.

The role suits someone patient, adaptable, and service-minded who can manage mixed-skill groups in a fast-paced studio and is willing to learn the technical side of the craft.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching & Instruction

Teach wheel throwing and handbuilding to adults and children Lead private lessons, parties, camps, and large group events Demonstrate clearly, adjust to skill levels, and give constructive feedback Monitor student safety, tool use, and studio behavior Class Management

Manage classes of 12–14 students (larger for private events) and keep to the scheduled time Communicate studio expectations (cleanup, timelines, breakage) Coordinate with reception and staff on check-in and transitions Student Communication & Policies

Reinforce policies: pottery may break in firing, and processing takes 6–8 weeks Answer basic glazing and pickup questions; send scheduling, shipping, and account questions to the front desk Pottery Processing

Mark pots with student, member, or class identifiers and glaze information Glaze, wipe, reglaze, and dremel glaze problems; bag and call finished pots Track and document missing or broken pots Kiln & Clay Operations

Load and unload bisque and glaze kilns; monitor kiln shelf condition Assist with clay unloading and storage Mix glazes (with supervision) Re-wedge and label demo clay for the next teacher Customer Service & Member Support

Greet and assist members, students, and guests Assist with orientations, renewals, and collection pick-up Sell gift cards; book private lessons, parties, and camps Handle reservation emails and share operations updates on Slack Studio Cleaning & Maintenance

Post-class reset: wipe sinks, surfaces, wheels, and shared tools; remove excess clay; rinse sponges Daily cleaning: trash, sweeping, tables, lockers, shelves, glazing areas, walls, storeroom, loft Clean windows and glass with Windex; launder aprons and towels (check pockets, remove nametags) Maintain supply storage and support studio flow during busy periods Opening & Closing Procedures

Opening:

lights and music on, open doors and windows, check email, clean common areas, review the daily task list Closing:

lights and music off, lock up, clean, check email, confirm next day's tasks, send the End of Day report to all staff Administrative Support

Log reservations and track attendance Respond to emails promptly and professionally Attend staff meetings; know studio policies, schedules, offerings, and systems Required Skills & Qualifications

Demonstrate wheel-throwing experience, 1 year (required) Strong communication, group-management, and customer service skills; comfortable teaching mixed-level classes Organized and detail-oriented; calm and positive in high-energy settings Works well independently and on a team; willing to learn kiln loading, glaze mixing, and other technical tasks Able to lift 50 lbs (clay, glaze buckets, kiln shelves) Evening and weekend availability required Instructor / Studio Assistant Profile

Goals Give every student a supportive, fun, educational experience Keep the studio safe, clean, and welcoming Process student and member work accurately and on time Grow technical and teaching skills in the ceramic arts Intentions Patient and adaptable:

students learn at different speeds Clear and consistent:

set expectations early and reinforce them kindly Proactive and detail-oriented:

act without being asked; accuracy protects student work Team-minded:

communicate clearly and support smooth shift transitions Welcoming:

make everyone feel valued Job Expectations Arrive early, prepared, and positive Teach with professionalism, clarity, and enthusiasm Keep the classroom and kiln, glaze, and clay areas safe Complete assigned cleaning and reset tasks every shift Accurately process, mark, glaze, and track student and member work Respond to emails and log reservations promptly; report issues (missing pots, student concerns, equipment) to management Attend meetings and trainings; represent the studio positively

Job Tags

Shift work, Weekend work, Afternoon shift

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