Technical Supervisor for Studio, Building, and Safety Management bei St. Olaf College

Position Title: Technical Supervisor for Studio, Building, and Safety Management.
Department: Department of Art and Art History.
Classification: Exempt.                             
FTE: 0.92.
Work Schedule: Term: August 1-June 30. Shift: 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday; occasional evening and weekend hours; this position is on-call for urgent matters outside of regular working hours; travel up to 2% of work schedule, which includes local travel for occasional pickups and deliveries (Twin Cities metro area).
Work Location: On Campus.
Salary Range: $48,000 – $53,000.

Position Overview:
This 0.92 FTE Technical Supervisor oversees the health, safety, and overarching systems of the multifaceted Studio Art program at St. Olaf College. The position is responsible for managing a department-wide safety protocol, supervising a robust student work program, and supporting the safe operations of the studio art spaces including sculpture (wood, steel, foundry), ceramics, printmaking, painting, drawing.

Essential Job Duties:

• Safety — 25%
  • Maintain “Studio Art Safety Manual” and approved chemicals/art supplies list
  • Raise awareness of safe practices and building protocol to all (faculty, staff, students) through mandatory training sessions. 
  • Develop and provide (in conjunction with the Environmental Health and Safety office) a short safety training presentation for each class, specific to that area.
  • Monitor art studios, equipment, and building infrastructure to ensure they are operating safely.
  • Work closely with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to maintain Safety Data Sheets systems, eye washes, first aid kits, etc.
  • Organize safe disposal or recycling of chemicals and art supplies.
• Manage student workers — 35%
  • Coordinate a robust student work program to manage all studio areas.
  • Work with faculty to plan student work roles to support curriculum.
  • Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and mentor student workers in multiple studio spaces.
  • Assist and troubleshoot with student workers as needed.
• Building and studio management — 30%
  • Project manager for building maintenance, improvements, and special projects.
  • Liaison between department and facilities crews.
  • Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on studio equipment.
  • Coordinate with outside vendors to repair specialized equipment.
  • Manage tool and equipment upgrades in consultation with faculty, including selection, vendor options, installation, and sales or recycling of old equipment as appropriate.
  • Inventory and order general supplies for shared studios.
  • Consult with faculty regarding supply orders for specific studio areas.
  • Start and end of academic year preparation, organization, restocking, etc.
  • Assist with shared spaces such as critique rooms, installation room, hallways, loading dock, patio studio, etc. 
• Other Duties —10%
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • Support, respect, and commit to embracing diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong and inclusive community.
  •  Complete and meet deadlines for required training and performance management cycle.
     

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Reports to the Chair of Art and Art History.
• This position supervises students.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • A two-year technical degree.
  • 3+ months of experience in customer service, community engagement or volunteer work.
  • Health and safety in relation to chemicals, tools and equipment.
  • A focus on studio art, fine art, or a related field.
  • Specific expertise in ceramics (handling and mixing materials, kiln firing, etc) and sculpture (power tools, metal and wood working, casting).
  • Maintain a valid driver’s license and meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria with a satisfactory driving record.
• Experience: 
  • 1+ years’ experience in a related field.
     

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in studio art or related field.
• Experience: 
  • 1+ years’ experience in a related field.
  • Art teaching experience.
  • Mechanical, construction, and/or fabrication experience.
     

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Administrative & Management Experience:
  • Confidence in using independent judgment in decision making.
  • Experience managing a team and working with students.
  • Developed organizational and task management skills.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Experience with inventory, setup, and maintenance of detailed records.
• Specialized Knowledge & Skills.
  • Familiarity with a broad range of materials and equipment related to art making.
  • Proficiency in maintenance and repair of equipment and machinery and a broad understanding of artistic tools and processes.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to health and safety as they apply to artistic materials, processes, and regulations.
  • Basic expertise in carpentry and construction required, including a thorough working knowledge of hand and power tools in accordance with safe practices.
  • Basic computer proficiency, with experience in Adobe Creative Cloud, Computer Aided Design and CNC programming a plus.
  • Willingness to learn new skills and applications relevant to art-making practices.
• Interpersonal Skills:
  • Proven success establishing and maintaining positive and cooperative working relationships; commitment to quality of service.
  • Strong work ethic; ability to work independently, collaboratively, and proactively.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally competent manner with diverse groups of students, staff, and faculty.
  • Demonstrated interest in working with college students engaged in active learning environments.
• Physical Requirements:
  • This position requires bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, reaching overhead, kneeling, standing for extended periods of time, and lifting and moving objects of up to 50 lbs. It also requires exposure to noise, chemicals, fumes, dust, and odors in order to perform the essential functions. Must possess the ability to safely perform the physical work required of all duties.
     

Prerequisites:

• Employment in this position is conditioned upon successful completion of a background check which may include: criminal background checks, reference checks, verification of work history, verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, a motor vehicle check, verification of DOT certification, a credit check, employment eligibility verification, and/or a pre-employment physical. Whether a background check is deemed successfully completed will be at the sole discretion of St. Olaf College.  Please note, St. Olaf College reserves the right to conduct periodic background checks at its sole discretion.
   

Disclaimer: 

• This position may require you to report early, stay late or work different shifts depending on staffing levels. It may also require you to perform all essential job functions whenever needed and during campus emergencies when necessary.
• This job description is for general information purposes.  It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position.  This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.
• Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.

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