Posted: June 2, 2026
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UBC Piano Technician - Vancouver, BC is listed at UBC in UBC Vancouver Campus - Vancouver, BC. The Beaver Board aggregates this opening from the employer's career page — apply using the button below to reach the official application. Browse more jobs at UBC.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, BC, is seeking a skilled Piano Technician to join its esteemed School of Music within the Faculty of Arts. This pivotal role supports the largest music school in Western Canada, which boasts an extensive collection of over 90 pianos, ranging from dedicated practice room instruments to world-class concert grand pianos. These vital instruments are indispensable to the school's educational, research, and artistic endeavours, impacting students, faculty members, and internationally renowned performing artists. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing professional, advanced precision, and specialized work in the design, rebuilding, tuning, testing, calibration, and overall maintenance of these diverse pianos and related instruments. This position is crucial for upholding the exceptional standards of musical excellence at UBC, ensuring all equipment functions flawlessly.
The Piano Technician's duties encompass a broad spectrum of highly specialized tasks essential for the optimal performance of all pianos within the school. This includes designing and fabricating new parts with precision to counteract the effects of changing temperature, humidity, mechanical wear, or material fatigue in instruments of both modern and historical design. A key responsibility involves planning and executing a comprehensive schedule for tuning, regulation, voicing, preventative maintenance, and repair across the entire fleet of grand and upright pianos. This meticulous maintenance ensures the high degree of precision required for professional teaching, student practice, and public concert performances. The role also involves analysing and diagnosing complex mechanical and acoustical problems in pianos, devising appropriate solutions to meet the highest standards of piano performance. Furthermore, the technician will provide expert evaluation and consultative services for assessing and selecting new pianos and related equipment, ensuring the school invests in the best possible instruments for its evolving needs. Ordering and managing an adequate inventory of parts and other necessary tools and equipment while adhering to budget allocations is also a critical component of this role.
The position demands expert judgment and independent initiative, as errors or inappropriate repair/maintenance decisions could lead to costly and irreversible damage to valuable instruments. Poor quality work can significantly compromise public performances, recording sessions, and essential teaching and learning activities within the school. Therefore, the Piano Technician must apply extensive knowledge and skill in tuning, calibration, maintenance, and repair of all pianos in accordance with the highest industry standards. This role involves close collaboration with Keyboard Division faculty members and the School Director, advising them on major repairs or modifications required to ensure the high-calibre performance of all pianos. The technician's work is assessed by faculty and other instruments users, underscoring the importance of meticulous attention to detail and a refined aural discrimination. Specialized knowledge of piano design and construction, dating from 1900 to the present, alongside experience with electronic equipment relevant to modern tuning and maintenance practices, is highly valued. This ensures that every piano remains an exceptional instrument for the faculty and students.
