Full-Time Technician, Wood/Metal

The Making Center

Parsons School of Design

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Wood and Metal for the Making Center. Parsons Making Center is a collection of more than 70,000 sq. ft. of labs, shops, studios, and open workspaces that provide curricular support for making across a broad range of mediums and disciplines and supports experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Technician should be a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who will become integral to the daily workings of the facilities within the Making Center, with the ability to learn new skills and technologies as needed. This is a fast-paced dynamic environment that runs year-round. The Technician will interface with students and faculty daily and work with Making Center staff to support multiple processes and resources for all users in a range of making spaces including, but not limited to, the E4 Wood and Metal Shops, N2 General Shop, and associated open work areas, tool checkouts, material store, and storage.

This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters union contract, that reports to the Facilities Manager for Wood and Metal.

The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment and uphold a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.

• Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, continuous operation, and support for a variety of hardware/software and technologies.

• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:

  • Support faculty and students.

  • Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.

  • Make hardware/software purchase and process recommendations.

  • Create and update web page content.

  • Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.

  • Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff, through peer-to-peer training and skills sharing.

  • Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.

• Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas

• Oversee daily operations of the Making Center facilities including healthy, safe and respectful making practices.

• Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.

• Oversee tool and equipment checkout for both in-shop/lab use and off-site special requests.

• Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.

• Assist with facility improvement projects, shows and installations, and special Making Center, program, school or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.

• Adapt to changes in the work environment; adjust approach and prioritizes competing demands as necessary.

• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff. 

• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment with productive and positive workplace relationships.

• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.

• Complete university required staff training and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.

• Become proficient in Web Check Out or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.

• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelorâ™s Degree and 3 years relevant or professional experience within the industry.

• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to schedule shifts with semester changes.

• Knowledge of a variety of production and fabrication techniques; be familiar with practices related to current design and art practice including: fabrication, methodology, and processes; experience and knowledge of working with a wide variety of materials.

• Technical knowledge of wood and metal-based practices in all or some of the following areas: furniture making, sculpture, product prototyping, model making, millwork, hot metal working, cold metal working, jewelry and non-ferrous metalworking, cold bending and steam bending wood, architectural or art installation.  

• Full comprehensive experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting equipment/tools.

• Ability to work safely with, and demonstrate proper use of, a wide array of hand tools, power tools, and machinery.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities.

• Strong ability to assist students working in an interdisciplinary and/or experimental manner from concept to fabrication.

• Ability to handle objects weighing up to 25 lbs and on occasion may be expected to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs 

• Ability to adhere to University COVID-19 Policy and requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Familiarity with any of the following is a plus: CNC/digital fabrication equipment, CAD programs, vacuum forming, physical computing, ceramics, casting, finishes, plastics, foams, cold glassworking techniques, kiln glass firing, or fabrics.

• Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems.

• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment. 

• Experience with large-scale hardware and software deployments.

• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives. 

WORK MODE

On-Campus Position - Employees in this position are expected to work on-campus during regularly scheduled work hours. 

SALARY

$26.10 hourly

About The New School

The New School, a leading university in downtown New York City, offers degree and nondegree academic programs in design, the social sciences, the liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. Students benefit from small classes, superior resources, and renowned faculty members who practice what they teach. Continuing education courses and public programs place the university at the center of New York’s cultural and intellectual life.

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