Bike Shop Department Head chez The Crucible

Description

Job Title: Bike Shop Department Head

Reports To: Director of Programs

Status: Part-Time, Non-exempt, 15-29 hours a week through January 31, 2026. Starting

February 1, 2026 it will reduce to approximately 12-18 hours per week

Background

The Crucible inspires creative exploration and expression through welcoming, hands-on arts

education and experiences for people of diverse ages and backgrounds and makes the

transformative experience of making art accessible to all. As a non-profit, innovative arts and

economic development hub built around the industrial arts, The Crucible is a catalyst for

individual growth, vibrant community connections and workforce and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Job Summary

Department heads lead the vision and communication for their department, in partnership with

the Director of Programs and the programs team, and help identify faculty availability and

placements for specific classes and programs. Department heads, faculty and studio techs they

work with are the heart of managing the department they work in, supporting class development

and quality, and providing great learning and studio experiences to students and collaborators.

As a member of our faculty, our Bike Shop Co-Department Head, is responsible for maintaining

and developing our Bike Shop programming and curriculum and building a strong teaching

program in bike maintenance, repair, and reuse.

In this role, you will provide hands-on support for our weekly bike workshops, our

Earn-A-Bike program, our Bike Fuego pilot, bike-related community outreach events, and other

programs. This is a good position for someone who enjoys teaching and interaction as an

educator tied to bike riding, repair, and transportation equity. You will also work to administer a

grant from the City of Oakland involving obtaining, repairing and distributing donated bicycles,

community bike rides, youth workforce development and other programs as required.

In partnership with the City of Oakland, The Crucible provides bike repair, bike education, and

bicycles themselves to the West Oakland community. This position works closely with the

Executive Director and Director of Programs managing this project to provide community bike

services.

Our program is committed to providing meaningful bike shop services to the West Oakland

Community. We promote healthy youth development practices and strengthen youth

competencies as well as teach bike repair, bike building, and bike maintenance skills to adults.

The Bike Shop Co-Department Head, Programming works directly with the Programs team in

support of community-oriented offerings, and in partnership with the studio crew around the space. 

This is a collaborative position that will work with a varied group of artistic, motivated individuals.

Classification:

This is a part-time, non-exempt position for approximately 15-29 hours per week,

scheduled as needed through January 31, 2026. Starting February 1, 2026 it will reduce to

approximately 12-18 hours per week. Evening and weekend availability are required for some

classes, events, and programs, but there is flexibility. Hours per week may increase depending

on need.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold the vision of engagement and value for our youth and adult bike program and ourmission to reuse and recycle bikes while supporting both youth entrepreneurship and our local community.
• Oversee department operations, working in collaboration with Studio and ProgramsTeams, including Studio Technicians, Director of Programs, Director of Studio and Operations. 
• Project manage the West Oakland Bike Resource Hub Grant from the City of Oakland including administrative oversight, data collection, and program development and implementation.
• Lead communication and team building with faculty, studio techs, and programs team.
• Develop programming six months to one year in advance for new programming opportunities.
• Retrieve donated bicycles and bicycle parts as needed.
• Support curriculum standardization and best teaching practices among faculty and TAs.
• Supporting faculty as they learn and execute curriculum.
• Helping Teaching Assistants (TA) in building skills and capacity to become qualified and skilled instructors.
• Support successful growth and professional development of the department’s faculty.
• Recruitment of new faculty and teaching assistants. Evaluations/observations for new instructors.
• Attend faculty and department head meetings.
• Develop comprehensive plans and staffing scenarios for the department during events such as Open Houses, School Field Trips, Community Programming, Team Builds, and additional programming.
• Manage ordering and inventory for your area and classes in partnership with studio and programs teams.
• Collaborate with working artists at The Crucible who need approvals to use specific pieces of machinery and oversee safety training for faculty and working artists, in partnership with the studio.
• Identifying equipment and infrastructure that need to be maintained, and projects for improvement in their area.
• Report machinery needs and repair needs to senior studio supervisors and studio technicians, if applicable.
• Relay facility and equipment situations that may impact classes to studio tech, faculty and program director.

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all persons,

especially those who bring the benefits of diversity to the organization. Women, people of color,

people who identify as LGBTQIA, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and are

welcome as leadership.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Full-service Bike Shop Mechanic experience a must;
• Experience as a Bike educator or experience with teaching or customer service;
• Commitment and ability in working with populations that are both economically and ethnically diverse;
• Capacity and interest to create an inspiring environment in the classroom for all students and with all teachers;
• A minimum of two years of related teaching experience or developing curriculum;
• Familiarity with basic computer software systems, including G-Suite;
• Be a team player, willing partner with development, communications, and studio leadership;
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends; this position may require approximately 1 to 2 nights per week and one-to-three weekend days monthly;
• Nonprofit, educational and or industrial arts experience a plus
• Strong commitment to supporting The Crucible as a welcoming and inclusive non-profit industrial arts school that meets people where they are.
• Willing and able to address equity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
• Must hold a valid CA driver’s license and insurable driving record..
• Able to lift 50 lbs.