Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Piano Technician is responsible for tuning, maintaining, and repairing the (approximately 80) pianos owned by the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Essential Functions

• Tunes, regulates, and voices two Steinway D concert grand pianos in the Bezanson Recital Hall that are used for performances and frequent recording.
• Maintains the approximately 80 pianos owned by the Department to all practice and performance standards to meet the requirements of faculty, students, and guest artists.
• Creates, implements, and maintains an individualized service rotation schedule based upon the needs of the instruments, the faculty, and the students. 
• Maintains a database of maintenance records for each piano.
• Communicates with Departmental, College, and University leadership about the Department’s long-term piano maintenance needs and to resolve any problems with the instruments’ needs and utilization. Makes recommendations to leadership about the acquisition of new pianos or other related equipment.
• Schedules and oversees piano work done by outside contractors for the purposes of repair, rebuilding, refinishing, and supplemental tuning. Inspects completed work to ensure compliance with established industry standards. Oversees and schedules the moving of pianos.
• Engages in continual professional training and education to maintain and develop skills.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.
• Fulfills specialized requests as needed.
• Occasional harpsichord tuning and maintenance (or oversees and inspects work done by outside contractor).

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associates Degree and a minimum of three (3) years experience in concert quality tuning. Two (2) years of experience can be substituted for the degree.
• Massachusetts class D driver’s license or equivalent.
• Documentation of specialized training in piano maintenance, preferably from a recognized school of piano maintenance.
• Demonstrated skills in repairing keyboard problems, ranging from the common to the complex, including voicing, regulation, and rebuilding required.
• Ability to support the unique technical demands of students, faculty, and guest artists.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Technology or related field.
• Membership in the Piano Technicians Guild.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
• Must be able to physically perform work which requires lowering and raising self to/from a sitting or lying position.
• Must be able to position self to work under a piano.

Work Schedule

• Position is 37.5 hours per week with a flex schedule. 
• This position requires evening and weekend work as required by the concerts and event schedules.

Salary Information

Grade 17

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit application, cover letter and resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Documentation of completion of any professional and technical piano training program should also be provided at time of application.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.