Studio Art Technician, Photography and Digital Fabrication bei St. Olaf College

Position Title: Studio Art Technician, Photography and Digital Fabrication.
Department: Department of Art and Art History.
Classification: Non-Exempt.                             
FTE: 0.38.
Work Schedule: 25 hours per week; hours to be worked Monday through Friday and scheduled to meet classroom teaching needs; occasional evening and weekend hours; this position is on-call for emergencies outside of regular working hours. August 15-June 15.
Work Location: On Campus. 
Hourly Rate: $21 - $22.50

Position Overview: 
This 0.38 FTE Studio Art Technician supports the teaching and learning spaces for St. Olaf College’s studio art program, with a special focus on photography and digital fabrication. This position requires a high degree of competency with the materials and health and safety practices necessary to maintain darkroom and digital photography classroom facilities and a digital fabrication lab. The technician will work closely with our faculty, other technical staff, and student workers to support the studio art curriculum. A high degree of responsibility, flexibility, and awareness of the studios’ needs is required.

Essential Job Duties:

• People and Teaching.
  • Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere in the photography studio and fabrication lab while maintaining safety protocols.
  • Trains students, staff, and faculty in photography studio and fabrication lab health and safety practices and maintains photography studio and fabrication lab studio safety handbook.
  • Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and mentor student workers in photography.
  • Train Cup Librarians and Media Room workers on software and checkout processes.
  • Demonstrates a serious commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Equipment and Supplies.
  • Ensures that photography studio and fabrication lab equipment is maintained in safe, clean, and orderly condition in compliance with safety procedures and state and federal regulations.
  • Regularly inventories and maintains photography studio and fabrication lab equipment; performs routine maintenance and minor repairs on photography studio and fabrication lab equipment; contacts vendors for major repairs.
  • Recommends the purchase of new equipment as needed; research vendors, pricing, delivery timelines; selects vendors as appropriate; orders new equipment, supplies, and materials.
  • Orders and prepares all necessary materials for photography classes and fabrication lab.
  • Regularly inventories photography and fabrication lab supplies and required studio/laboratory materials to maintain adequate stock.
  • Ensures proper storage, disposal and/or recycling of photography studio and fabrication lab materials.
  • Submit small work requests to Facilities (Capital Projects are overseen by Technical Supervisor).
• Other Duties.
  • Attends meetings, workshops, and other events to obtain current subject-matter information and resources.
  • Maintains professional relationships with other staff in similar positions on campus and at other institutions.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Reports to the Department Chair of Art and Art History.
• This position hires and supervises student assistants and studio monitors for the ceramics studio and performs student worker evaluations.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • A two-year technical degree.
  • A focus on studio art, fine art, or a related field.
  • Maintain a valid driver’s license and meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria with a satisfactory driving record.
• Experience: 
  •  A combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of an associate degree in studio art, fine art, or a related field.
  • Experience working in a ceramic’s studio.

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, and Abilities:

• Administrative & Management Experience:
  • Confidence in using independent judgment in decision making
  • Experience managing 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 
  • Knowledge of and commitment to health and safety as they apply to artistic materials, processes, and regulations
  • Computer proficiency with experience in Adobe Creative Cloud, Computer Aided Design and CNC programming software
  • Knowledge of safe practices with digital fabrication equipment, including CNC router, Laser cutter, 3D printers, photo plotter printers, and more.
  • Knowledge of safe practices and procedures in photography darkroom, including the safe disposal and recycling of used photographic materials
  • Willingness to learn new skills and applications relevant to art-making practices
  • Proficiency in maintenance and repair of equipment and machinery and a broad understanding of artistic tools and processes 
• 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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