Youth Coordinator /Technical Assistant

(Application Review in Process)
Rat City Studios (RCS) and Rain City Clay (RCC) have an opening for a Youth Coordinator-Studio Technical Assistant. This is one job with two roles.

We are looking for someone passionate about craft and community who has experience working with youth and clay.

You do not need to be an accomplished potter to apply, though a love of pottery and community-centered work is important. We are looking for someone who enjoys contributing to a team, is a dedicated and approachable youth instructor, and has experience in ceramics studios, customer service, maintenance, or other hands-on environments. Communicative, friendly, dependable, and hard-working people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

This position is a 15-hour-a-week technical assistant work and 5-10 hours-a-week teaching/coordinating youth, part-time, non-exempt position, with frequent weekend hours required. The ability to lift 50 pounds repeatedly is part of the requirements of the job.

RCS/ RCC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff and community. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people from historically underrepresented communities.

Timeline:
You will receive confirmation that we received your application within one week.
The position start date is August 3rd, 2026. This will give the new hire one month of overlap with out current Youth Coordinator-Tech Brooke Hanson. The application will remain open until the job is filled.

About RCS/ RCC

Rat City Studios & Rain City Clay are sister studios located in White Center & West Seattle. We are vibrant, creative communities, passionate about working with clay.  We offer everything from experiential learning opportunities aimed at cultivating imagination and bringing people together to a space where everyone has a place to foster their creative side. Our mission is to engage and build community through clay. The mission of RCS/RCC is to engage and build community through clay. (Learn More)

🟠 Overarching Goals for the Youth Coordinator - Technical Assistant:
Build and maintain our current relationships with Summit Atlas School and Westside School, among others.  Plan, teach, and maintain summer program for youth at RCC. Build a morning program for homeschoolers at RCC on one day a week. Rain City Clay will bring materials, an instructor, an age-appropriate project, and totes to move work safely to the educational facility. Outreach currently focuses on working with youth. In the future, we may expand to coordinating with veterans, older folks’ care homes, women’s relief agencies, or refugee support facilities.

Help maintain the studio flow, communicate with participants, and keep the space at RCC/ RCS clean and well organized. Report or fix equipment issues. Be able to take instructions and then work independently with efficiency. Be able to problem-solve challenges and communicate effectively about the solution or need for assistance. Help foster a welcome space for all participants and staff.

Responsibilities for a technical assistant: 

• Maintains the flow of the studio and equipment at a high level 

• Ensures student work moves through the firing cycles in a timely fashion

• Inventories and prepares glazes and slips with careful attention

• Helps with the organization, operation, maintenance, and repair of studio equipment, including kilns, sinks, and tools

• Helps stock materials and process reclaim

• Helps with special projects such as installing shows and hosting at the holiday show.

• At times, is a support person to other staff, such as the marketing manager at Rain City Clay or the Studio Manager at Rat City Studios.

• Helps with studio deep cleaning and cleaning of all kinds, including bathrooms, office, staff lounge, and studio areas

• Other duties as requested by the studio manager or managing director

• Communicate with students, with shorter requests, to help them navigate the studio and processes. 

• Create an atmosphere of welcome for our whole community.

• Help notice areas/ processes/ concerns that need attention and bring it forward to the studio manager or managing director in a positive manner.

• Be able to work independently after instruction and training have been given.

• Be trusted with key-holding responsibilities and closing up or opening up the building during a work shift.

Responsibilities for an outreach coordinator: 

• Be familiar with the mission: https://raincityclay.com/mission-and-goals

• Create/ maintain a plan for artistic outreach programming

• Professionally represent Rain City Clay in all communication/ personal presence

• Field emails regarding these topics from schools, organizations or individuals

• Coordinate with outreach location/business partner

• Determine Travel Costs and keep within the desired budget

• Travel Time, Admin Fees, Instructor Fees ($40 an hour)

• Materials: underglaze, clay, paper plates, clay tools

• Start-up Costs: Totes, clip board, marketing materials

• Send invoices to the outreach location for service, and track that they are paid accurately

• Take photos and send promotional materials (photos/ text) to the marketing staff person to help bolster our presence.

• Organize instructors/ assistant instructors for outreach programming

Desired Qualifications:

• Recent experience guiding/teaching a full classroom of youth, with references

• Adaptable and approachable when working with people

• One or more years of experience working in a ceramic studio, with references

• Customer service skills; experience working with diverse populations is a plus

• Knowledge of glaze chemistry and mixing

• Experience firing kilns is a plus > firing gas, electric, soda, and raku kilns

• A collaborative attitude and the ability to multitask

• Eagerness to contribute to the unique and supportive community of Rain City Clay

Position:

• $25/hour starting wage for technical work, based on experience, 15 hours a week

• $40 starting wage for an hour for teaching youth, 5-10 hours a week, depending on class coordination.

• Part-time

• Hourly with frequent weekend hours required, and flexibility during the week. 

• Good communication and teamwork with other staff members

• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekend and evening hours

• Ability to dexterously use arms and fingers with careful attention to visual detail is required.

• Efficiently lifting and walking with 50 pounds will be required regularly.

Benefits:

• Paid sick leave/ vacation accrual based on hours worked.

  • If this is not used, it is paid out during unpaid closures.

  • Starts after working for 3 months at RCS/ RCC

• Optional 401K participation after 6 months as an employee

• Possibility of additional teaching of One-time classes, independent lessons, or 10-week classes, depending on skill and the needs of the studio.

• Access to glaze lab use/ materials paid for via RCC spreadsheet, 1st Thursday of the month, after three months with the studio.

• Staff discount of 50% on 10-week classes

• Staff discount of 20% on workshops

Points of Clarification:
Employment at Rain City Clay does not guarantee adult 10-week class teaching opportunities, private studio space, or exhibition and sales opportunities in the gallery. Hiring decisions are not based on artistic achievement, though an appreciation for the ceramic arts is valued. Teaching opportunities are determined by studio needs, experience, skill level, scheduling, and program coordination.

There are unpaid studio closures between Christmas and New Year’s Day and over the summer in late-August/Sept

We look forward to receiving your application!