Thank you for your interest in assisting this class! Below you will find information about the position and about the specific class. If that is not the opportunity that you intend to apply for, please double check the link and contact us if there is a problem. If you are interested in multiple opportunities, please submit separate forms for each — you can use the same answers (just copy & paste!). A list of our current opportunities is available here.

In order for us to get to know you better, we ask that you answer a few questions about yourself. By completing this form, you are giving us permission to contact you regarding this specific opportunity. CMT respects your privacy and will never share your information without your permission.

Class Title: Build a Traditional Appalachian Ladderback Chair Instructor: Reid Gamble
Location: John C. Campbell Folk School (Brasstown NC)

Dates: September 17-23, 2023

Details: Position includes a $300 stipend, travel stipend, housing, meals, and materials. Skill Requirements: The ideal candidate for this position will have enough chairmaking / green woodworking experience to maintain a safe classroom environment and help support students in use of the shavehorse and basic splitting tools. Knowledge of turning, riving & parts prep is not required. John C. Campbell Folk School is particularly interested in an assistant who wants to pursue a career in woodcraft & teaching and who might be interested in teaching a class at John C Campbell Folk School in the future.

Deadline: The assistantship will remain open until filled; however, the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by 05/01/2023. We will close applications on the website when the position is filled - if the “apply here” button is active, the position is open for applications. Finalists may be contacted for a phone interview with CMT, the instructor, or both. We will notify applicants of our decision by 06/01/2023.

A short overview of the assistantship role:

Assistants will play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the class, gaining insight into both the administrative and technical elements required to create a smooth teaching and learning experience for all students. Duties include facilitating machine/tool maintenance, overseeing studio safety, and offering instructional support. In addition to the designated class times, studio assistants will often be required to work outside of class hours to ensure that the workspace and materials are prepared for all students, participating in the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing for and resetting after a workshop.

Assistants are often encouraged to make their own chair or project alongside the other students in the class and will receive studio access and materials for the duration of the class. 

A CMT Assistantship has the additional lens of supporting our mission of engaging historically-excluded makers. All of the students in the classes we host will identify as outsiders in the field of woodworking. We acknowledge that there are many ways to be an outsider in this field, including, but not limited to, identifying as BIPOC, female, queer, trans, non-binary, or working class. It is important to us that our educators reflect the identities of the students we are working with and that they are equipped to respond to the specific joys and challenges that may arise as a result of this added context. It is our goal to create a positive, encouraging, and safe studio environment. Learning is an emotionally vulnerable experience and we expect all of our assistants to understand this dynamic and be committed to supporting students while they develop new skills.

Potential Responsibilities 

• Assist with receiving, inventory, tracking, and updating class materials
• Participate in preparing studio for class (may require splitting, riving, soaking, turning & maintaining kiln temperatures)
• Assist with general studio questions and technical concerns
• Serve as a point of contact for students, instructors, and CMT leadership 
• Develop a working knowledge of the various skills and methods used in the class you’ll be assisting
• Develop a working knowledge of the established maintenance cycles of studio tools and equipment; conduct routine and specialized maintenance (including sharpening) as needed.
• Assist with the studio’s day-to-day operation, including cleaning, facilities upkeep, organizing storage spaces, and the support of studio safety and communication culture by example.
• Assist with rearranging or moving studio furniture and equipment in preparation for the needs of each workshop.
• As needed, support and collaborate with other host institutions or CMT staff in day-to-day operations.

• Must be able to walk unaided up and down hills and over uneven terrain, bend, stoop, reach above their head, use fine and gross motor skills, and work in close quarters
  
• Must have normal visual acuity at a near and far distance with correction and hear the spoken word with correction
  
• Must be fluent in English
  
• Must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds