Dear List- The Wichita Unified School District is seeking a Piano Technician. The brief job description of this position states: "Must be knowledgeable in all aspects of piano technology including tuning, voicing, regulation and general maintenance. Credible experience necessary which includes one year of trade school or apprenticeship, and two years of experience. Registered piano technician preferred as well as the ability to rebuild pianos...." The technicians who have held this position over the last 15 years have been Kent Swafford, Alan Crane, Fengsheng Chen and myself. We have all found this job an excellent place to begin our careers as school piano technicians. We are all now working as university technicians. The school district maintains a remarkable piano shop with a supply budget that would be the envy of many college technicians. All tools and also an automobile are supplied. During the school year you visit schools in the evening, tuning and maintaining pianos. Work load is reasonable, demand is usually predictable, and you will not often be under emergency pressures. You will be appreciated. You will have to deal with some paperwork and rules of the system, but you get paid by the hour, and if you intend a career in academics, learning how to file work orders and requisitions is part of the work. The school district has a good inservice education program, offering classes in computer use, quality control methods, etc. The local Guild chapter is a friendly bunch who can offer some quality mentoring. You will soon be getting all the referral business you can handle. And you get paid for attending meetings during work hours! While you need more than entry level skills to do the work, you don’t need top level concert skills. More important is an ability to manage and direct your own work and your own learning. The Musical Instrument Repair Department recognizes the value of having someone in an "upwardly mobile skills development path" in this position. The School District pays excellent benefits, by the way. Alan Crane and I will be in Providence next month. Please seek us out if we can help you consider this job. Feel free to call me at (316) 833-2102 days. After July 1st ask to speak with Jerry Jossy, who is leadperson for musical instrument repair. Submit your resume to Charlene Peterson, Personnel Specialist, Wichita Public Schools, 201 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202. Sincerely, Ed Sutton, RPT Piano Technician, Wichita USD 259
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