Employment Opportunities

Printer of the Press at Colorado College

Colorado College is seeking applications for the Printer of The Press at Colorado College. The Press at CC is a letterpress and book arts studio, dedicated to education through the arts and histories of the book. The Press is part of CC’s library and is an interdisciplinary, imaginative, and creative enterprise. The Printer of The Press oversees all aspects of the Press’s mission and work.

Duties include:

• Oversee a longstanding (since 1978) element of the college’s academic program, develop the role of The Press in the college, and promote the teaching and artistic program of The Press.
• Contribute to the vitality of book arts on campus by collaborating with classes in the Book Studies Thematic Minor and instruct students and others interested in learning book arts; and collaborate with faculty in departments across campus to develop the Book Studies curriculum.
• Work with the Press Committee (interested faculty, staff, and students) to develop curriculum, programming, and student opportunities at The Press.
• Recruit and host visiting faculty who teach classes at The Press; facilitate and direct these faculty in the use of the college’s presses, type, and related equipment.
• Edit, design, and produce printed artworks such as books, broadsides, and posters; coordinate programming in support of publications with collaborating artists/writers; seek out and apply for exhibition opportunities for Press work.
• Support campus and community collaborative artistic work.
• Direct and manage a team of student employees that design and print posters for campus events, as well as other student employees.
• Collaborate with community partners and artists/writers.
• Promote fiscal health: advertise sales of existing and new books and broadsides, cooperate with faculty and advancement officers in representing The Press’s history, current activities and future possibilities to potential donors.
• Shop maintenance: service equipment, stock supplies and maintain order in a facility used by many novice printers, plan for future needs.
• Collaborate with the Curator of Special Collections to purchase, preserve, and teach with artists’ books and other materials.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Fine Art or Bachelor’s degree in Art with substantial corollary work in Fine Art; two years of related experience as a letterpress printer, book/graphic designer, small press publisher, and/or teacher of books arts; knowledge of platen and cylinder press operation; knowledge of basic press maintenance; knowledge of operation and maintenance of guillotine paper cutter and board shears; knowledge of printing with handset metal and wood type; proficiency with computer software programs such as Adobe CC, Microsoft Office; excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to think critically and problem solve; handle confidential/sensitive information with discretion; good judgment and organizational skills; and excellent customer skills; ability to operate standard office equipment. Physical requirements include heavy physical effort (lifting/moving up to 100 pounds), prolonged standing, walking, reaching and/or grasping, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; exposure to noisy or dusty conditions, chemicals and solvents and mechanical, electrical and/or other hazards.

Preferred Qualifications:

Graphic and typographic design experience; photopolymer plate-making; bookbinding expertise; printmaking expertise; teaching skills and experience; experience in collaborative publishing.

Review of applications will begin after May 5, 2023. The full job description and application process are available here: https://employment.coloradocollege.edu/postings/6924