Technical Assistant (post level 15): Department of Fine Arts (Job ID 6287) – (1972)

Are you skilled with tools and passionate about art? The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications for a Technical Assistant position in the Department of Fine Arts. This permanent role, based at our Bloemfontein Campus, is ideal for someone who can provide essential technical support for studio operations, assist both students and academic staff, and ensure the upkeep of art equipment and facilities.

If you have experience in welding, woodworking, and working with various tools, and are looking for a rewarding role in an academic art environment, we encourage you to apply!

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Technical Assistant, your key responsibilities will include:

• Safely operating power tools such as jigsaws, belt sanders, grinders, and bandsaws, as well as various hand tools like screwdrivers, hammers, and saws.
• Assisting with material preparation, including cutting paper and canvas.
• Ordering necessary tools and equipment for the department.
• Providing assistance with moulding and casting processes.
• Building, repairing, restoring, and maintaining art-specific furniture and equipment, such as exhibition boards, plinths, easels, frames, and stretch-frames.
• Preparing studios for art activities and classes.
• Offering technical assistance in campus studios, guiding students on power tool usage and technical aspects of their projects as requested by academic staff.
• Dismantling both large and small-scale art installations and other artworks.
• Assisting with moving equipment within the department, and to and from galleries/venues both on and off campus.
• Supporting staff members’ research projects, on and off campus.
• Transporting documents between the department and other campus venues.
• Arranging and moving equipment and studio furniture for classes.
• Taking student attendance when required.
• Moving objects and furniture within the department.
• Assisting lecturers with technical aspects of their creative research projects.
• Arranging studios to accommodate creative research needs.
• Conducting stock-takes, organising, and cleaning the sculpture storeroom.
• Recycling clay using appropriate equipment and training.
• Assisting with moving light artworks for lecturers’ or students’ exhibitions, specifically for teaching, learning, creative research, and community engagement related activities.
• Moving light artworks from the Johannes Stegmann Arts gallery to the department or around campus.
• Assisting facilities staff when moving heavy furniture or equipment.
• Managing the signing-off of sculpture studio keys and storeroom keys for specified periods.
• Assisting students with signing out tools from the storeroom.
• Preparing studios for projects, which involves cleaning, moving furniture, covering surfaces, arranging materials, and washing equipment.
• Supporting student projects, e.g., cutting cloths for printmaking or carrying heavy paper bundles for drawing.
• Ensuring printmaking studio rags are restocked.
• Maintaining the upkeep of all fine arts studios, including the outside sculpture studio, walkways, furniture, and equipment.
• Cleaning specialised studios like the printmaking studio, darkroom, and acid room, which may involve using solvents.
• Removing trash from bins, including oily rag bins in the printmaking studio for health and safety.
• Protecting furniture and equipment by moving it indoors or under cover to prevent weather damage.
• Collaborating with UFS cleaners.
• Adhering to work hours.
• Gathering and removing litter inside and outside studios and walkways.
• Maintaining and caring for the Fine Arts department’s trees and shrubs in the atrium and garden by watering them.
• Assisting with the removal of sculptural and painterly trash.
• Cleaning painting palettes and staff studios, including trash removal.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must meet the following criteria:

• Grade 12 certificate or a National Vocational Certificate on NQF Level 4.
• One (1) year of relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities outlined above.
• Proven experience in working with power tools, welding, woodwork (carpentry), and clay work.

Recommendations

The following will be an advantage:

• Relevant experience as a Technical Assistant in a fine arts environment.
• A BA Fine Arts degree.

Key Competencies

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Results-Oriented:
  • Ability to persevere with tasks, overcome obstacles, and fulfil obligations reliably and responsibly.
• Strategic Thinking:
  • Ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously, plan work effectively, and adhere to plans.
• Business Acumen:
  • Adherence to rules and regulations.
  • Proficiency in MS Office.
  • Practical skills in woodwork, cleaning large spaces, welding, and using various tools (grinder, screwdriver, belt sander, bandsaw).
• Leading:
  • Maintaining high levels of personal motivation, energy, and enthusiasm.
  • Cooperative attitude, encouraging teamwork.
• Building Coalitions:
  • Sensitivity and understanding towards others’ needs and feelings.
  • Ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and under close supervision.

Required Documents

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, please submit ALL documents listed under the minimum requirements, along with the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your South African Identity Document (ID) or passport (for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or a recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Application Details

• Assumption of Duties: 1 February 2026
• Closing Date: 25 November 2025
• Salary: The annual remuneration package, including benefits, is R273,193.14 – R360,774.56 per annum, depending on budget, relevant work experience, and qualifications.
• Fringe Benefits: (Subject to specific conditions) Pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus, and study benefits.
• Enquiries: For questions, please contact [email protected] or call 051 401 9813 / 051 401 2558/2979.

How to Apply

Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Please note: The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

Important Information

The University of the Free State is an Employment Equity employer and is committed to diversity and redress. Preference will be given to candidates from under-represented designated groups, including candidates with disabilities, in line with the University’s Employment Equity Plan.

The University processes personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). All personal information provided will be treated as confidential.

The University reserves the right not to fill this post. Only applications from candidates who meet all the inherent requirements will be considered. Incomplete applications will be disregarded. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you do not hear from us within six weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.