Craft Center Student Instructor

NOTE: Specifically hiring instructors with expertise in bicycle repair & maintenance.

Definition and Purpose 

Under the supervision of the Coordinator I—Craft Center, Craft Center Student Instructors support Craft Center programming in one or more of the following areas: painting, leatherworking, bicycle repair & maintenance, stained glass, jewelry making, ceramics (wheel throwing), ceramics (handbuilding), surfboard shaping, block printing, and fiber arts. Depending on the assigned area, Student Instructors may teach craft classes, develop class content, supervise class participants, lead instructional sessions, and maintain studio safety and cleanliness, or operate the Mobile Bike Unit, which offers free basic bicycle maintenance and repair services to students on campus. 

This position is based at the Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA.  

Educational Requirements and Qualifying Experience 

• Must be a currently enrolled student at Cal Poly with a minimum of 6 units. Graduate students must carry 4 units at Cal Poly. 
• Must have expertise in a particular craft within one or more of the Craft Center areas (painting, leatherworking, bicycle repair & maintenance, stained glass, jewelry making, ceramics, surfboard shaping, block printing, or fiber arts). 
• Must be available and willing to teach a minimum of two craft classes per session, consistent with the established class schedule and program needs. 
• Ability to be highly organized and have good planning skills. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Extensive knowledge of classes being taught/programs offered. 
• Understanding of current trends in area of expertise. 
• Previous experience in supervising and meeting participants in an instructional environment. 
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere. 

Requirements

Instructor Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Craft Classes: 

• Plan, prepare, and teach craft classes in accordance with program needs and the established class schedule. 
• Prepare studio space before class and clean up studio space after class. 
• Keep studio equipment in clean, useable working order. 
• Play an active role in maintaining class minimum enrollments. 
• Develop individual lesson plans. 

Bike Fix: 

• Operate the Mobile Bike Unit at assigned campus locations, providing free basic bicycle maintenance and repair services to students. 
• Perform bicycle checkups, tube and cable changes, brake adjustments and bleeds, wheel truing, and basic tune-ups within program scope. 
• Assess bicycles for safety concerns; explain recommended repairs to students and refer repairs beyond program scope or expertise to an appropriate bike shop. 
• Provide one-on-one education to students on basic bike care, safe riding practices, and how to maintain their bicycles between service visits. 
• Maintain, transport, organize, and inventory Mobile Bike Unit tools, parts, equipment, and supplies; report shortages, damaged equipment, and safety concerns to Craft Center staff. 

All Instructors: 

• Prioritize and contribute to overall studio safety. 
• Provide assistance to co-workers as needed to ensure that all have the necessary supplies and tools to operate their programs. 
• Repair equipment, or report broken equipment to the appropriate Craft Center staff member if the repair is beyond the instructor’s level of expertise. 
• In collaboration with other area instructors, assist in keeping an inventory of all area supplies and inform appropriate staff of any shortages. 
• Propose area additions and/or improvements and provide additional information as needed. 
• Possess knowledge of the raw materials used in each class to plan for supply reordering. 
• Communicate with appropriate staff regarding any issues pertaining to each craft area, classes, or the Craft Center. 
• Attend all mandatory meetings, workshops, and retreats. 
• Instruct participants in general safety practices with all tools and equipment in their craft area. 
• Maintain and model safe practices at all times. 
• Maintain a working relationship with staff and co-workers. 
• Adhere to and enforce all ASI departmental policies and procedures. 
• Foster student development and leadership. 

Frontline Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Maintain a clean, welcoming environment for all visitors and staff members. 
• Provide quality customer service to all staff members and visitors. 
• Enforce safety compliance measures per the Craft Center policies and procedures. 
• Provide positive public relations, program promotion and policy education to staff and visitors. 
• Assist with supply and material inventory and ordering. 
• Maintain knowledge of all current activities and upcoming events within ASI. 
• Follow attendance procedures. 
• Maintain knowledge of ASI’s webpage and web registration program to troubleshoot customer questions. 

Specialized Duties and Responsibilities 

• Open and close work areas per procedural expectations. 
• Maintain knowledge and oversight of safe operations and practices of all tools in all studios. 
• Explain and enforce Craft Center user policies and procedures to visitors. 
• Compile pre-course packets for all instructors to include surveys, rosters, and instructions. 
• Facilitate and coordinate Studio Safety Orientation tours. 
• Ensure that all lost and found items are tracked according to facility policy. 
• Special projects as assigned. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities 

• The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in ASI policy as a condition of their employment. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Period of Employment 

Employment with this organization is of an "at will" nature, which means that the employee may resign at any time and ASI may discharge the employee at any time with or without cause. 

Background Check 

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. ASI will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current ASI employee who was conditionally offered the position. 

Benefits

Compensation and Hours 

• Hourly Starting Rate: $17.90 per hour for instruction time, $16.90 for meetings, studio maintenance time, and preparation time 
• Hourly Pay Range: $17.90 per hour - $17.90 per hour for instruction time, $16.90 per hour - $16.90 per hour for meetings, studio maintenance time, and preparation time 

Position requires a minimum of two consecutive terms of work availability.

Must be available to attend training at the end of the Fall semester (December).

Location: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. 

Date revised: 9/30/2026 

The Associated Students, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.