Hybrid Instructional Facility Manager Contemporary Practices bei School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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.

BASIC FUNCTION

Instruct students in all manners of fabricating art objects. Function as a technical advisor to
faculty, undergraduate students, and staff within the department of Contemporary Practices.
Administer and supervise the operations of the CP Fabrication Facility, Digital Output Lab
(Digitarium), and other associated facilities. In coordination with the Assistant Director, anticipate
and recommend changes in instructional services to support curricular developments in
Contemporary Practices and SAIC. Hire, train, and co-supervise all student employees.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-Time Salaried Staff
• Grade Level: 6

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Staff Administration
  • Hire, train, and supervise all student employees. Review applications, interview
    applicants, process paperwork, and provide scheduling.
  • Train, supervise, and develop student employees in the delivery of a spectrum of
  • Shop facility services and resources. Develop and organize orientation training
    and mentors student employees who facilitate the training of CP Fabrication
    Facility operations and equipment.
  • Coordinate Material Source program with Material Source staff. Coordinate the
    day-to-day operation of Material Source point-of-sale including the managing of
    Material Source student employees. Advise Material Source staff of product
    requests from students and faculty.
  • Other duties as assigned.
    
    
• Teaching & Instruction
  • Provide instruction and technical assistance to faculty and undergraduate
    students using the CP Fabrication Facility and Digital Output technologies lab
    (Digitarium).
  • Monitor and contribute to patron progress on all projects in the CP Fabrication
    Facility and Digital Output Lab (Digitarium).
  • Keep current with curricular needs and changes within the department of
    Contemporary Practices.
  • Work collaboratively with faculty and administrators to develop and plan
    curricular support.
  • Assess student and faculty needs and recommend services and training activities
    provided by the CP Fabrication Facility and Digital Output Lab (Digitarium).
  • Design and organize training workshops and lectures for all supported equipment and technologies.
    
    
• Equipment & Facility Management
  • Supervise and oversee the day-to-day, technical, operations of the CP
    Fabrication Facility and Digital Output Lab (Digitarium).
  • Oversee the physical maintenance of tools, equipment, and associated resources
    to provide a safe and productive working environment.
  • Implement all policies, procedures, and training programs for the CP Fabrication
    Facility in coordination with the Department of Contemporary Practices.
  • Manage inventory of circulating tools and equipment.
  • Facilitate access of circulating tools and associated resources to Shop patrons.
  • Manage usage records and fines.
  • Work collaboratively with the Assistant Director to develop, implement, and
    organize safety protocols.
  • In consultation with the Assistant Director, determine instructional supply, small
    equipment, and operating supply purchases.
  • Work in close consultation with the Assistant Director to develop an annual
    budget proposal and project future needs and capital investments.
    
    
• Research & Development
  • Keep current with trends and technologies used in the School’s shops, labs, and
    production facilities. Make recommendations to the Assistant Director for
    equipment acquisitions and improvements.
  • Perform research and assist in the development of proposals for future CP
    Fabrication Facility needs and capital investments.
  • Research and develop written materials for instructional guides

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art or related field required, Master’s
preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered
commensurate.

EXPERIENCE

Must have at least 2 years of supervisory experience in an
industrial or educational facility. Teaching/instructional experience
preferred. Experience repairing shop tools and equipment.
Extensive knowledge and experience using a wide variety of
floor-mounted and handheld power tools as well as digital
fabrication and output technologies. Advanced knowledge in two or
more of the following areas is required: wood fabrication, sewing or
mold-making, digital fabrication, or physical computing (Arduino or
similar).

SKILLS

• 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.
• Requires the ability to lift 50 lbs or more in the performance
  of facility related duties

This is an on-campus role. 

UNION: This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31. 

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 [email protected].