Manager, 280 Metal Shop en School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)

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.

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

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-Time Hourly Staff
• Grade Level: 7

BASIC FUNCTION
Instruct students in all manners of fabricating art objects, scale models, and furniture. Function as a technical advisor to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and staff (70%). Administer, supervise, and manage the operations of the 280 Metalshop (30%). Anticipate and recommend changes in instructional services to support curricular developments. Train and supervise student employees.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Administration

• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Director to hire, train, and schedule student employees. Review applications, interview applicants, process paperwork, and provide scheduling.
• Train, supervise, and develop student employees in the delivery of Shop services and resources.
• Supervise and assist in the storage of Material Source materials.
• Advise Assistant Director and Material Source staff on product requests from students and faculty.

Teaching

• Provide advanced-level instruction and technical assistance to graduate students, undergraduate students, and faculty using the 280 Metalshop and Grinding Room.
• Monitor and contribute to patron progress on all projects in the 280 Metalshop.
• Keep current with curricular needs and changes within all SAIC departments, with an emphasis on Sculpture, Art &
• Technology Studies (ATS), and Architecture, Interior Architecture & Designed Objects (AIADO).
• Work closely with Sculpture and AIADO faculty and administration to efficiently schedule class access to the 280 Metalshop.
• Assess student and faculty needs and recommend services and training activities provided by the 280 Metalshop.
• Organize and perform training workshops and lectures for the 280 Metalshop and Grinding Room equipment.
• Train and mentor student employees who facilitate the training of shop equipment operations.

Equipment & Facility Management

• Supervise and oversee the operations of the 280 Metalshop.
• Work closely with the Assistant Director to oversee the physical maintenance of tools, equipment, and associated resources to provide a safe working environment.
• Work collaboratively with Assistant Director to develop and implement policies and procedures governing access, training programs, instructional services, and the safety program provided by the 280 Metalshop.
• Facilitate access of circulating hand tools and associated resources to Shop patrons. Manage usage records and fines.
• Manage inventory of circulating tools, shop supplies, and consumables. Advise Assistant Director of purchase needs to maintain adequate levels of materials for instructional use.
• In consultation with the Assistant Director, determine instructional supply, small equipment, and operating supply purchases.

Research & Development

• Keep current of developments in contemporary metal fabrication equipment and technologies. Make recommendations to the Assistant Director for equipment acquisitions.
• Perform research and assist in the development of proposals for future 280 Metalshop needs and capital investments.
• Research and develop written materials for instructional guides for students and faculty.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art or related field required. Equivalent experience may be substituted.
• Extensive knowledge and experience using a wide variety of floor-mounted, handheld power tools and equipment for metalworking. Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following areas is required: metalsmithing of non-ferrous and steel, gas welding & cutting processes, electric welding, hot forming metal fabrication, cold forming metal fabrication.
• Preferred: Experience in plaster and mold-making processes. Working knowledge of (or willingness to learn) 3D digital imaging and file preparation for CNC machining.

EXPERIENCE

• Teaching/instructional experience preferred. Experience repairing shop tools and equipment

SKILLS

• Ability to assist and instruct students in the safe and conceptual construction of projects.
• Ability to supervise and schedule staff, implement policies and procedures, order materials, and maintain a budget.
• 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
• Ability to supervise and schedule staff, implement policies and procedures, order materials, and maintain a budget.
• 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

UNION

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