Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Digital Tools 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 the Laser Lab, 3D Printing Lab, CNC Machine Shops, Physical Computing areas, and open work areas.Â
This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters union contract, that reports to the Managers of Digital Tools.
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 Center facilities as assigned and maintain a clean and safe working environment.Â
Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.
Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff.Â
Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, and continuous operation of a variety of hardware/software technologies and stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
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
Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.
Become proficient in Web Check Out or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
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; meet deadlines and anticipate facility and checkout center needs, adjusting approach and prioritizing competing demands.Â
Completion of university-required staff trainings and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.
Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
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Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelorâ™s Degree and 3 years relevant or professional experience within the industry.
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.
Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to schedule shifts with semester changes.
Experience with various production and digital 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.
Strong technical knowledge of additive and subtractive fabrication workflows including, but not limited to, setup, protocols, maintenance, and output and experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting equipment/tools as relevant to the position.
Ability to work safely with, and demonstrate proper use of digital fabrication tools including laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC routers/mills.
Proficiency with CAD/CAM modeling/machining languages and 2D and 3D software such as Rhino, Solidworks, Maya, Fusion360, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Google Drive and an understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment.A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.
Become proficient in Web Check Out or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
Ability to handle objects weighing up to 25 lbs and on occasion may be expected to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbsÂ
Ability to adhere to University COVID-19 Policy and requirements.
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Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with any of the following: woodworking, metalworking, furniture making, millwork, architectural or art installations, vacuum forming, ceramics, casting, finishes, plastics, foams, textiles, and fabrics.
Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems.Â
Experience with large-scale hardware and software deployments.
Experience with mesh repair, rendering tools, and other advanced 3D modeling and finishing processes.
Experience designing for and operating analog machining equipment.
Understanding of and experience working with electronics, physical computing, and technology design and their applications associated with the operation and maintenance of fabrication equipment and systems.
Experience with digital media hardware associated with 3D design for both on-screen and physical applications including 3D scanning, motion capture, VR/AR, and other related input/output devices.
Hourly rate: $26.10/hr
Work mode: On-Campus Position - Employees in this position are expected to work on-campus during regularly scheduled work hours.Â
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.
