Seeking a part time Studio & Membership Facilitator

The Soapbox: Community Print Shop & Zine Library seeks applications for a new part-time position: the Studio & Membership Facilitator supports the in-studio experience of studio members and visitors, fostering a nurturing, welcoming, and supportive environment while ensuring a well-functioning studio.

The Soapbox is a nonprofit community arts space devoted to print, paper, book, and zine arts. Located in Southwest/West Philadelphia at 4700 Kingsessing Ave. since 2018, The Soapbox provides equipment access on a membership basis, offers workshops, and hosts a library of zines and handmade publications that is open to the public twice a week. Run by a working board of 12 and a team of Fellows who trade their time for membership, The Soapbox is excited to launch this paid position.

The Studio & Membership Facilitator will play a critical role at the heart of our activities, welcoming and orienting new members, communicating with Fellows, and participating in the ongoing operations of Studio & Membership activities. They will implement studio protocols, tend to basic ongoing studio maintenance, and have a first-hand view of the exciting member projects being created in the studio.

Hours, Pay, & Benefits:

10 hours per week (some work hours will be flexible; must be available to work during our weekly Open Hours, Sundays 1 – 5pm, Wednesdays 5 – 9pm as needed; must be available an additional evening each month for meetings)

$20 per hour

Benefits include paid time off, free workshop participation opportunities, keyholder studio access, and the potential for occasional additional hours on a contract basis if desired.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Oversees the upkeep and maintenance of The Soapbox’s physical space and resources, including ordering supplies (30%)

Maintaining and prioritizing a list of studio tasks and delegating these tasks to Fellows (30%)

Provides in-studio skills assessment and/or orientation for new members (20%)

Email or phone communication as follows (10%):

Attends and participates in monthly Studio & Membership Committee meetings (5%)

Other tasks as assigned: (5%)

Qualifications & Experience:

The ideal candidate will:

Be well-versed in a range of Soapbox studio processes (screenprinting, letterpress printing, relief printing, papermaking, book and/or zine making)

Diligent attention to process and procedures, whether it’s a studio process or internal organizational protocol

Have experience in creative studio management and operations, whether through teaching or through shop tech experience

Have stellar time and priorities management skills to juggle multiple responsibilities within a part-time position

Be friendly and diplomatic, working well with others. This person will need to work with a wide range of individuals, from members to volunteers to visitors to board members

Have strong written and oral communication skills

Experience with or comfort learning Soapbox project management systems including Google Suite and forms and Asana

Be able to work independently, while maintaining strong communication about their activities and areas where support is needed

Needs to be able to lift and move boxes and other studio items

The Soapbox welcomes and appreciates applications from people of all backgrounds, spanning age, race, class, sexuality, ability, gender, and more. The Soapbox is committed to celebrating a diverse community and to extending opportunities to qualified applicants on an equal basis regardless of race, class, gender, ability, and identity.

To Apply:

Please submit a letter of interest and resume to apply [at] phillysoapbox.org.

Internal candidates should also email the Executive Committee to notify them of their Intent to Apply.

Please direct any questions about the position or application to info [at] phillysoapbox.org, using the subject line “Facilitator Position”.

Process and Timeline:

Priority review will be given to applications received by October 1, 2021.

The Soapbox anticipates conducting a first round of phone interviews in October, followed by a second round of in-person interviews in early November. We seek to have this position start no later than January 1, and potentially sooner.