Facilities Manager, Wood & Metal Shops and Light Lab

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Facilities Manager of Wood and Metal Shops and Light Lab 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 Manager 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 Manager will interface with students, faculty, and staff to support multiple processes and resources for all users in a range of making spaces. This is an exempt administrative position that reports to the Associate Director of the Making Center and has multiple direct reports.

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

Oversee daily workings of the Making Centerâ™s 25 East 13th Street Shop Facilities including but not limited to the Wood Shop, Metal Shop, Light lab and associated Open Work Areas, Tool/Equipment Checkout, Material Store, and storage areas.

• Management of a team of full-time and part-time staff, and student workers, including hiring, training, scheduling, tasking, communications and coordination and/or providing emergency coverage for unexpected absences. 

• Management of a fixed budget including tracking, planning, and prioritization of expenses related to inventories, schedules, projects, repairs, and improvements as it relates to the school's overall curriculum.

• Directing decision-making related to the purchase of equipment and establishment of workflow to support pedagogical needs, working with academic leadership, faculty, and external entities.

• Coordinate staff support to assist with shows and installations, special initiatives, and facility improvement projects.

• Maintain policies and systems for checkout, material store, scheduling, record keeping, and inventories, in addition to generating macro and micro levels of usage data and statistics - evaluating and updating these as needed.

• Act as the primary liaison to program directors, course coordinators, and faculty to align access and resources with curricular support needs, which includes collaboration with the Making Center Advisory Committee

• Organize calendars and communications for facilities: including creation of website updates, shop signage, safety orientations, technical/instructional documentation for labs/equipment, workshops, class demos, deliveries, special events, and modified holiday hours.

• Work across systems in the Making Center, connecting separate areas in order to streamline efficiency and communication; working directly with Making Center leadership in developing and implementing policies.

• Adapt to changes in the work environment; adjust approach and prioritize 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.

• Serve on Parsons-wide committees as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelorâ™s Degree and 3-5 years of 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.

• Experience managing or leading a team of professionals.

• Completion of university-required staff trainings and necessary COFs for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.

• Advanced knowledge of a variety of production and fabrication techniques in wood, metal, and other materials; Be familiar with practices related to current design and art practice - including: general fabrication, furniture making, sculpture, product prototyping, hot + cold metal working, jewelry and non-ferrous metalworking, architectural or art installation. 

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

• Experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting equipment/tools.

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

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud, CAD-based programs, and Google Drive.

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

• Proven track record of working well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, with a strong ability to support students working in an interdisciplinary manner from concept to fabrication.

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

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

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masterâ™s Degree in a related art or design field.

• Familiarity with any of the following is a plus: CNC/digital fabrication equipment (including CNC plasma cutters, laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC routers), vacuum forming, physical computing, ceramics, casting, finishes, plastics, foams, lighting design and technology or fabrics.

• Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems. 

WORK MODE

• On-Campus Position - Employees in this position are expected to work on-campus during regularly scheduled work hours due to the nature of the work being that which is not feasible, or not in the best interest of the organization, to be performed remotely. #LI-ONSITE

 

SALARY

$66,000 - $69,000 annually

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

For full consideration, please include a Resume and Cover Letter in your application

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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