Come Build
Firebox With Us

Firebox instructors teach structured, multi-week courses in wheel throwing, handbuilding, glazing, and surface decoration. Classes are intentionally small—6 to 10 students—so instructors can provide individual guidance while building a strong classroom community.

Each weekly meeting includes three paid hours: 2.5 hours of classroom instruction and 30 minutes of paid preparation and studio-reset time. Students clean their own wheels, tools, and workstations; instructors guide the cleanup process and leave the classroom ready for its next use. Routine studio cleaning and technical operations are handled separately.

Instructors are hired at one of three levels — Instructor I, Instructor II, or Lead Instructor — based on demonstrated teaching ability, technical independence, and course responsibility. Level determines both pay within the $35–$49/hr range and which courses and cohort loads an instructor is eligible to teach.

Placement within the compensation range reflects demonstrated teaching ability, technical independence, curriculum responsibility, course complexity, and leadership. Instructors receive additional compensation when a section enrolls more than eight students.

Instructor II and Lead Instructor may teach multiple cohorts of the same approved course; each cohort is scheduled and paid separately. Instructor I is limited to one cohort per term.

You May Be a Strong Fit If You

• Have an established ceramics practice
• Can teach wheel throwing, handbuilding, or both
• Explain technical processes clearly and patiently
• Can support students with different goals and learning styles
• Understand safe studio practices and Cone 6 oxidation
• Communicate reliably and contribute to a thoughtful studio culture

The Studio Technician keeps Firebox’s physical studio operating safely and reliably. This is an independent technical role focused on qualified kiln work, firing records, materials systems, routine maintenance, testing, and timely follow-up when information is incomplete.

The position will begin at approximately five hours per week, scheduled around firing and studio needs. Some weeks may require the work to be divided across more than one visit. This is not a manager position and does not carry organization-wide or people-management authority.

What You’ll Do

• Load, program, fire, and unload Cone 6 electric kilns after Firebox qualification
• Maintain the routine firing queue, firing logs, and problem-work shelf
• Review bisqueware weights and firing-fee calculations
• Follow up with students or members about unmarked ware, attribution conflicts, or incomplete information
• Plan or conduct clay and glaze performance and compatibility tests, maintaining test tiles and records
• Mix and maintain glazes and manage clay stock and reclaim
• Perform routine equipment maintenance, cleaning, and documented safety checks
• Record firing, maintenance, inventory, and incidents using Firebox logs

What We’re Looking For

Several years of ceramics-studio or production experience; independent electric-kiln operation; familiarity with glaze maintenance, clay reclaim, materials management, and routine equipment troubleshooting; strong documentation habits; and sound judgment about when to stop work or escalate a problem.

The Studio Assistant supports daily studio readiness while building proficiency in materials, equipment, records, and firing operations. This is variable, as-needed work tied to testing cycles, materials processing, firing intake, and studio activity.

What You’ll Do

• Reset work areas and complete routine cleaning to checklist
• Process reclaim and restock clay, glaze, tools, and consumables
• Assist with kiln loading and unloading under the supervision of a qualified worker
• Produce standardized test tiles and perform assigned clay or glaze tests under an approved protocol
• Label, photograph, document, and organize test results and the physical glaze library
• Weigh bisqueware, identify the maker from the maker’s mark, and maintain cumulative weight records by patron and class
• Calculate firing fees under the published student and member policy when attribution and category are clear
• Record shortages, damage, maintenance needs, and safety concerns

What We’re Looking For

A working knowledge of ceramic materials and studio safety; patience for repetitive, detail-sensitive work; accurate labeling and recordkeeping; reliability; and an interest in learning Firebox’s systems. Experience with glaze testing, reclaim, or shared-studio operations is helpful but not required for every task.

Firebox Event Leads create welcoming, well-run ceramic experiences for people who may never have worked with clay before. Standard events are two hours and may include date nights, private groups, seasonal programs, and corporate gatherings.

Customer-Facing Event Leadership

• Welcome and orient guests
• Demonstrate techniques and guide participants
• Manage the room, pacing, and event schedule
• Respond to customer-facing questions and issues

Paid $70 flat for a standard 2-hour event.

Technical Event Work

• Prepare and clear tools, materials, workstations, and guest areas
• Label and track guest pieces accurately
• Complete finishing and prepare work for firing when assigned
• Organize pickup and reconcile materials inventory

Paid $25/hour, separately from event leadership. May be done by the Event Lead or another qualified team member.

For example: leading a 2-hour date night pays $70. If you also handle 1.5 hours of technical work afterward, that's an additional $37.50 — $107.50 total.