Introduction
For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.
Position Summary
Contribute to the overall management of SAIC Instructional Fabrication facilities including supervision of student employees, management of equipment maintenance, asset protection programs, and the pursuit of general shop safety practices. Provide instructional and technical assistance to Shop patrons, advice to faculty, and support for department projects.
Provide facility support and systems design in the 280 Woodshop along with occasional lateral support to adjacent facilities, i.e. Contemporary Practices, Architecture Interior Architecture and Designed Objects (AIADO). Work in support of Assistant Director, 280 Woodshop, under the direction of the Associate Director of AIADO, CP, and 280 Woodshops. Each adjacent facility has its own dedicated staff that the Woodshop and special projects manager will be deployed to assist at different points in the academic semester or during high volume events, projects, or circumstances including, but not limited to, Shop oversight, face-to-face training, and the development of new training documentation.
- Student Staff Administration
- Hire, train, and supervise all student employees.
- Review applications, conduct interviews, process paperwork, and produce recurring shift schedules.
- Train, supervise, and develop student employees in the delivery of a spectrum of Shop facility services and resources.
- Develop and organize orientation training and mentorship programs for student employees.
- Coordinate the day-to-day operation of Material Source point-of-sale including the managing of Material Source student employees.
- Teaching & Instruction
- Provide instruction and technical assistance to faculty and undergraduate students using all types of facility housed equipment.
Monitor and contribute to patron progress on individual and class projects.
- Keep current with curricular needs and changes within the academic department(s) of service.
Work collaboratively with faculty and department administrators to develop and
plan co-curricular facility support.
- Assess student and faculty needs, and recommend services and training activities provided in the facility.
- Design, organize, and update training workshops and lectures for all supported equipment and technologies.
- Equipment & Facility Management
- Supervise and oversee the day-to-day, technical, operations of the fabrication facility.
- Oversee the physical maintenance of tools (maintenance program), equipment, and associated resources to provide a safe and productive working environment.
- Implement all policies, procedures, and training programs in the facility in coordination with the affected academic department(s).
- Manage inventory and asset protection program of circulating tools and equipment.
- Work collaboratively with the Associate Director to develop, implement, and organize facility safety protocols.
- In consultation with the Associate Director, determines instructional supply, small equipment, and operating supply purchases. Conduct purchases in coordination with IRFM purchasing administrator and in partnership with all facility staff.
- Work in close consultation with the Associate Director to develop an annual budget proposal to project future needs and capital investments.
- Research & Development
- Keep current with trends and technologies relevant to SAIC pedagogy. Make recommendations to the Associate Director for equipment acquisitions and improvements.
- Research and develop written materials for instructional guides and extended facility content.
Qualifications
- Strong managerial skills, including the ability to supervise and schedule staff, implement policies and procedures, order materials, and maintain a budget.
- Ability to assist and instruct students in the safe and conceptual construction of projects.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Familiarity with office software including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Benefits
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
- Generous paid time off
- Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
- Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
- Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
- Great employee discounts
- Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions
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Application Time Out Warning
The Art Institute of Chicago requires all applicants to complete an online application to be considered for employment. 60 minutes are allotted for applicants to complete the employment application. The application will automatically time out after 60 minutes. If you are unable to submit the completed application at this time, please choose the "Save for Later" option to avoid losing the information you have entered so far.
Closing Statement
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
Union Info
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31