Job Description

Job Title
Technical Assistant (post level 15): Department of Fine Arts (Job ID 6287)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Humanities -> Department Fine Arts
Contract Type
Permanent
Occupational Level
Unskilled
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
25/11/2025
Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: 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.


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Duties and responsibilities:

Operate power equipment such as a jigsaw, belt sander, grinder, bandsaw. etc. Use hand tools like screwdrivers, hammers, axes, saws. Assist with cutting paper and canvas. Order of tools and equipment if needed. Assist with moulding and casting. Fix, build, restore and maintain any art-specific furniture or equipment such as exhibition boards, plinths and easels. Make frames and gallery stands as needed. Make stretch-frames. Prepare studios for studio activities and classes. Give technical assistance in studios on campus, helping students with power tools and technical components of projects as requested by an academic staff member. Dismantling large- and small-scale installations and other artworks. Assist with or move equipment in the department, to and from galleries and venues on and off campus. Assist with research projects of staff members on and off campus. Courier documents to and from the department and other venues on campus. Arrange and move equipment and studio furniture for classes. Take student attendance when necessary. Move objects and furniture around the department. Assist lecturers with their studio research, which could include all technical aspects of creative research projects Arrange studios to accommodate creative research. Stock-take, organise and clean sculpture storeroom. Re-cycle clay with the correct equipment and training. Move light works for lecturers or students' exhibitions only if the assistance required relates to the academic staff members 'teaching and learning', 'creative research' and 'community engagement' responsibilities. Move light artworks from the Johannes Stegmann Arts gallery to the Department or around the campus. Assist if needed when heavy furniture or equipment is moved by facilities. Orchestrate the signing-off of sculpture studio keys, including the storeroom keys when necessary and for specified periods of time. Assist students in signing out tools from the storeroom. Prepare studios for projects which include cleaning, moving tables, boxes, putting plastic on tables, putting newsprint on the windows, packing out materials and washing equipment. Assist with student projects (for example, cutting cloths for printmaking, carrying heavy bundles of paper for drawing). Ensure the restocking of rags for use in the printmaking studio. Maintain upkeep of all studios and outside sculpture studio. Maintain the upkeep of fine arts walkways, studios, furniture and equipment. Clean the printmaking studio, which is a specialised studio requiring the use of solvents. Remove the trash from bins, for example, in the printmaking studio, which includes the oily rag bin for health and safety purposes. Keep furniture and equipment safe, especially by moving it indoors or undercover so that the rain and elements do not cause damage. Work in a team with UFS cleaners. Arrive and leave timeously according to work hours. Gather and remove litter in studios and outside studios and walkways. Clean studios, equipment and the department using hand tools, cleaning tools and machines. This includes discipline-specific studios, for example printmaking, dark room and acid room. Clean the department or off-campus in public areas, studios or exhibition spaces if cleaning work relates to the academic staff members 'teaching and learning', 'creative research' and 'scholarly engagement' responsibilities. Off-campus cleaning require clearance by the Head of Department. Maintain and care for the Fine Arts departments trees and shrubs in the atrium and department of fine arts garden by watering plants and trees using hose or watering can. Assist with removal of sculptural and painterly trash discarded inside and outside studios. Clean painting palettes. Clean staff studios when necessary and remove trash.

Inherent Job Requirements:

Grade 12 or national vocational certificate on NQF Level 4. One (1) year's relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities. Experience in working with power tools, welding, woodwork (carpentry), and clay work.

Recommendations:

Relevant experience as a technical assistant in the fine arts. A BA Fine Arts degree will be an advantage.

Competencies

Key Competencies Required:

Results-Oriented:

The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one's task. The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

The ability to deal with several activities at a time. The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

Business Acumen:

The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations. Proficient in using MS Office. Woodwork Cleaning large spaces Welding Working with tools such as a grinder, screwdriver, beltsander, bandsaw.

Leading:

The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm. The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others. The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Required Documents

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

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

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 the budget available for the position, 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 enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 9813 or email at

PhokaR@ufs.ac.za

Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558/2979 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:

EEA13Report_UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE FINAL SEP 2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.