Fine Arts Workshop Technician-1 bei Howard

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

The Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, Department of Art is seeking a Fine Arts Workshop Technician that will work in a university context with specialist knowledge, skills and experience of working with particular materials such as paint, wood, metal, textiles, ceramics, or audio-visual. They will work with a range of specialties such as: painting, fashion, ceramics and will be based within a central workshop at the university where they will work with students from across a range of arts disciplines.

A large part of the role will be student facing, where they will responsible for demonstrating the use of specialist tools, software, techniques and equipment to the students. Other responsibilities of the role include: looking after workshop equipment; overseeing health and safety in workshop areas; keeping a record of stock and ordering new materials when needed; building, repairing and maintaining studio and exhibition spaces; and assisting with the installation of student and faculty exhibitions. 

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

Responsible for orienting and training others, and assigning and reviewing their work. May also be responsible for acting in a “lead” or “senior” capacity over other positions performing essentially the same work, or related technical tasks and reporting to a higher level on a formal basis. They will mainly work without direct supervision and determine the priority of their own work. The position will involve making decisions on a variety of both complex and routine issues relating to their duties and responsibilities.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include administrators, faculty, students and staff of the department and the University at large. External contacts include consultants, vendors, representatives from other colleges and universities, visitors and the general public.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Key Responsibilities and capabilities:

There are six subject/programmatic areas that will access the Fine Arts Workshop and its Technician: These are Painting; Photography; Sculpture; Ceramics; Communication Design; Fashion Design; and Interior Design. The student body comprises of undergraduate [BFA] and graduate [MFA and Ph.D.].

Plan and oversee all aspects of the day to day running of the Fine Arts Workshop and workshop area, giving instruction and supervision to students (undergraduate, post graduate) and academic staff and to ensure that work operations are carried out in a safe manner and in a safe working environment and that Health and Safety procedures are adhered to by all workshop users. The Fine Arts Workshop Technician will be required to anticipate demand within work area.

Provide health and safety training on equipment and tools of all staff, students and visitors within the workshop area, including keeping detailed records of training. Organize the maintenance and upkeep of all mechanical equipment, including cleaning, and carrying out minor repairs, organize servicing and larger repairs of equipment.

Administrative duties will include ensuring the workshop is well run, with efficient resource for the subject areas such as pricing and ordering of equipment, tools, materials and consumables, record keeping and timetabling and development of new facilities.

Health and Safety responsibilities

Ensure all activity in the workshop takes place as safely as possible and in compliance with university and State policy: development and delivery of workshop Health and Safety induction; training of all staff and student workshop users; maintain Individual training records; keep up-to-date with developments in Health and Safety legislation; act as a local area Health and Safety Advisor , manage risk assessments, maintain accident/incident records; act as Fire Steward and First Aider; advise on manual handling.

Ad hoc duties requested by the line manager, and the Department Chair, allowing the workshop and supported academic programs to run as smoothly as possible.

Problem Solving

The role requires that the Fine Arts Workshop Technician will use their knowledge and experience and initiative to resolve routine and sometimes complex non-standard technical queries and problems raised by students, faculty and other technical team colleagues.

Using verbal, drawn or written means, evaluate and find solutions to malfunctions in the workshop equipment, repair broken or faulty equipment where possible.

Identify maintenance requests to be contracted out.

Decision Making

The technician will mainly work without direct supervision and determine the priority of their own work.

The role will involve making decisions on a variety of both complex and routine issues relating to their work.

The technician will take support from line manager when necessary, offer help and advice to students on the choice of materials, techniques and equipment used to complete their project.

Assessing safety in the workshop, including preparation of risk assessments.

CORE COMPETENCIES:   

Essential:

Knowledge of woodworking, metalworking, casting, design, and fabrication techniques.

Knowledge of Ceramic glazes (Keep mixed and usable).

Knowledge of Ceramic kilns.

IT skills, CAD & 3D modeling techniques and related software.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills, possessing an inquisitive mind, with an ability to solve problems in a practical and efficient manner.

Expected to be highly efficient and have a good rapport with students and faculty.

Well-developed communication skills to enable the identification and understanding of students and faculty requirements.

Clear understanding of health and safety law and Implications of non-compliance on others.

Desirable:

Accredited Health & Safety certificates.

Experienced in the use of applicable 3D software or experience of similar software packages. Knowledge of laser cutting and 3D printing,

A knowledge and interest in the art and creative industries.

Competent and knowledgeable in the use of computer aided manufacturing equipment in a range of materials including plastics and paper.

Undertaking any other reasonable task or duty within technical competency, which may be necessary.

As the nature of the research work is constantly changing, skills must be updated and new one's learned. Course work/projects present ever-changing activities and challenges to the Jobholder.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Advanced degree (BA, BFA, MFA, Ph.D.) or knowledge in more than one relevant discipline or typically 3 years’ experience in a workshop environment.

Solid understanding of Woodworking techniques and metal work and construction of various and sometimes complex product design and art installations. Familiar with safe operation and maintenance of workshop equipment and tools.

Competent at planning, setting up, and installations of Art and Design Degree exhibition shows in conjunction with Course Leaders and operations staff.

Competent at designing and setting up studio spaces.

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE: $65,000 - $70,000

Note: This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required. The university has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description is not to be construed as a contract for employment.

ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University, established in 1867, is a leading private research university based in Washington, D.C. Howard’s 14 schools and colleges offer 140 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs and lead the nation in producing African Americans with professional doctoral degrees. Howard is the top-ranked historically Black college or university (HBCU) according to Forbes, the only HBCU with an R1 research institution designation, and the only HBCU ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 National Universities. Renowned for its esteemed faculty, high achieving students, and commitment to excellence, leadership, truth and service, Howard produces distinguished alumni across all sectors, which have included the first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice and the first woman U.S. vice president; a Noble Prize laureate; Schwarzman, Marshall, Rhodes and Truman Scholars; prestigious fellows; and over 170 Fulbright recipients. Learn more at www.howard.edu.

Benefits Offered

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture 

Job location

Washington, D.C.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure