Technician, Print Media - The New School : Job Details

Technician, Print MediaParsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Print Media for the Making Center. Parsons Making Center is a collection of more than 70,000 sq. ft. of labs, shops, studios, and open workspaces that provide curricular support for making across a broad range of mediums and disciplines and supports experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Technician should be a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who will become integral to the daily workings of the facilities within the Making Center, with the ability to learn new skills and technologies as needed. This is a fast-paced dynamic environment that runs year-round. The Technician will interface with students and faculty daily and work with Making Center staff to support multiple processes and resources for all users in a range of making spaces including the Printmaking Studio, Design Lab, and Book Arts Studio. This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters Professional union contract, that reports to the Facilities Manager, Media Resources.The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment.RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive and welcoming learning environment and a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.
• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff.
• Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, and continuous operation of a variety of hardware/software technologies and stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:
  • Support faculty and students.
  • Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.
  • Make hardware/software purchase and process recommendations.
  • Create and update web page content.
  • Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.
• Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff, through peer-to-peer trainings and skills sharing.
• Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.
• Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas.
• Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.
• Oversee tool and equipment checkout for both in-shop/lab use and off-site special requests.
• Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.
• Assist with facility improvement projects, shows and installations, and special Making Center, program, school or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment; adjust approach and prioritize competing demands as necessary.
• Ability to be proactive in addressing facility needs, including but not limited to maintaining organized workspaces, tracking inventory locations, and monitoring Technician communication networks.
• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's Degree and 3 years relevant or professional experience within the industry.
• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to schedule shifts with semester changes.
• Upon hiring, completion of university required staff trainings and necessary Certificate of Fitness for all Making Center Facilities.
• Become proficient in Web Checkout or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
• Knowledge of various printmaking and book arts practices in all or some of the following areas: silkscreen, etching, woodcut, lithography, letterpress, drum leaf, soft cover books, conservation enclosures, hand typesetting, Vandercook press, photo etching and digital printing output.
• Technical knowledge of traditional, modern, experimental and non-toxic printmaking processes, be familiar with practices related to current design and art practice, - including, but not limited to: process chemistry and digital output methods.
• Full comprehensive experience running, maintaining, repairing, troubleshooting necessary equipment/tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Suite.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Strong ability to assist students working in an interdisciplinary and/or experimental manner from concept to fabrication.
• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.
• Ability to handle objects weighing up to 25 lbs and on occasion may be expected to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Google calendar, Webcheckout or comparable equipment management and scheduling systems.
• Formal knowledge of multiple printmaking processes including all or some of the following: silkscreen, etching, lithography, monoprint and relief.
• Formal knowledge working with analog etching and lithography presses as well as photo exposure units.
• Experience with hand bookmaking, handset type, Vandercook and platen presses.
• Working knowledge of film output software and processes.
• Knowledge and interest in combining digital and analog printmaking processes.
• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.
• Knowledge of press and printer repair.
• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment, as well various digital output technologies.

WORK MODEOn-Campus Position - Employees in this position are expected to work on-campus during regularly scheduled work hours due to the nature of the work being that which is not feasible, or not in the best interest of the organization, to be performed remotely. #LI-ONSITESALARY RANGE$26.10/hrSPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter in your application. We look forward to receiving your application!