13-Dec-2024
Piano Technician II
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
67524BR
Job Summary
This position is part of the Music Department and reports directly to the Piano Technical Services manager. This role is part of a team responsible for servicing and maintaining an inventory of 211 keyboard instruments including acoustic grand and upright pianos, both in the Music Building and across the broader Harvard campus in Cambridge and Allston. This role assists in the tuning, service, maintenance, and rebuilding of university pianos and performs the skilled duties of a piano technician and all related job duties.
Position Description
- Tune and maintain classroom, studio, performance, and practice pianos on a regular schedule.
- Perform stable tunings in a reasonable amount of time, up to four tunings per day.
- Perform full grand and upright regulation, hammer filing, voicing, string replacement, cleaning, and repairs as required.
- Ability to fully analyze and correct action problems, install new parts and restore older parts
- Assist larger scope rebuilding projects.
- Assist with benches, case parts, casters, trucks, and piano climate control system maintenance, repair, transport, and installation.
- Use and maintain hand tools and power tools such as drill presses, sanders, grinders, power saws, etc.
- Foster and maintain close partnerships with PTS staff and Music Department faculty, staff, and students.
- Address faculty, student, and staff piano concerns in a timely manner.
- Assess the quality and condition of pianos, maintain records and advise the Manager on the status of the piano collection, as well as log tunings online.
- Maintain a clean, safe environment in the piano workshop.
Basic Qualifications
- Completion of a recognized training program as a piano technician and one-year applicable work experience; OR
- A minimum three years applicable work experience (field work in tuning, repairing, regulating, a variety of grand and vertical pianos).
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Previous experience in a college or university setting as a piano technician.
- Strong aural tuning skills, use of an ETD optional.
- Knowledge in aspects of piano rebuilding.
- Dedication to skills maintenance and improvement.
- Willingness to attend training courses and develop new skills, including Steinway Spirio R service and implementation.
- Ability to function without extensive supervision.
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines, especially for dealing with emergency tunings, concert tunings, and special requests.
- A highly positive customer service attitude.
Physical Requirements
- The physical ability to move around a college campus, carry actions and benches, ability to walk up and down stairs, transport tools and supplies, crawl under pianos to make repairs, and manage all physical aspects of piano service.
Working Conditions
- Must be willing to work occasional overtime including evenings and weekends, as needed.
- Ability to work in various settings including basement practice rooms, common rooms, dining halls, towers, studios, offices, classrooms, museums, and concert venues, etc.
Additional Information
- This is a part time position working 18 hours per week. The weekly schedule is flexible, however it must include Monday or Wednesday. A three-day workweek is required.
- A technical assessment may be required in the final interview.
- We regret that Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship for this position.
- All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Work Format Details
This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Job Function
Arts
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
402015 Piano Technician II
Work Format
On-Site
Sub-Unit
Arts and Humanities
Salary Grade
053
Department
Music
Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Time Status
Part-time
Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal, Identity, License/Cert.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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