Ceramics Instructor

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Department Information

The Library and Cultural Services Departments vision is to empower an environment of lifelong learning and cultural enrichment by stimulating learning and literacy, inspiring creativity, and integrating arts, culture and history into the lives of Aurorans. We have two divisions within the department: Library and Cultural Services, both offering a variety of free services to the community, including 5 public libraries, the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites, Aurora Fox Arts Center, The People’s Building, and community events, programs, and activities for all ages. Please go to www.AuroraGov.org/LCS to learn more about the City of Aurora, Library and Cultural Services Department.

This is classified as VHNE (Variable Hour Non-Benefit Employee), where the selected candidate will work less than 29 hours per week. This position does not provide medical benefits. This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.

The hiring range is $19.05 - $23.81/hour.

Salary to be commensurate with experience. 

The application deadline is December 20, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

Position overview

The Ceramics Instructor is dedicated to maintaining curriculum integrity and consistent instruction by providing high-quality teaching experiences. This role is learner-centered and responsive to diverse student goals. Instructors facilitate learning where, when, and how it best suits the needs of the diverse learning public we serve. This role provides a teaching style focused on quality, innovation, self-initiative, and problem-solving. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops a structure and curriculum for adult classes
• Instructs students of different skill levels, ages, and abilities working in the same class
• Establishes and maintains an environment conducive to student learning
• Provides instruction through varied demonstration processes
• Prepares for and instructs assigned course(s) using appropriate learning experiences and materials which provide the opportunity to meet overall course objectives and student driven goals
• Evaluates student progress through day to day observation
• Actively supports student success through guidance, advising, and assisting individual students as needed
• Maintains levels of professional knowledge and expertise
• Maintains a clean classroom environment

• Assists in maintaining a safe and mutually respectful instructional environment in and outside the classroom
• Assists students with study problems and with evaluating their potential for successful achievement in the course or discipline. Makes referrals as appropriate, i.e. for tutoring
• Performs other related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Highschool diploma.

Experience:

• Minimum 1 years teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in ceramics or visual arts degree with a Ceramics concentration, with substantial professional portfolio and work experience
• 2 years teaching experience
• Teaching experience in Ceramics

Knowledge:

• Must have thorough understanding of ^10 ceramics, Raku, clays, glazes and alternative firing techniques
• Must have mastery of and ability to teach wheel throwing and handbuilding
• Comprehension of the glazing process, chemicals/materials used in both highfire and Raku glazes
• Maintains necessary educational practices, professional skills and currency appropriate to teaching.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Skill in the use of multiple clay tools varied demonstration techniques.
• Strong customer service skills
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors

Abilities:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner
• Interacts sensitively with students, staff and faculty of various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Medium work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Frequent lifting, carrying, walking and standing
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Hand/eye coordination for clay supplies and tools operation

Work Environment:

• Works primarily indoors clay studio classroom but may work outdoors assisting with a program or outreach events in varying weather conditions

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard ceramic equipment including personal tools and studio supplied tools, including Pottery Wheel, Extruder, Raku Kiln, and Slab roller.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.

Notice Regarding Colorado Identification Document Protections (HB26‑1283)
As part of the employment eligibility verification process, the city of Aurora may request government-issued identification documents as permitted by law. Original identification documents will be reviewed only as necessary for employment eligibility verification and will not be retained longer than permitted by law. Applicants will retain possession and control of their original identification documents except for any temporary retention permitted or required by law.