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.

In coordination with the Associate Director of Sculpture, Metal, Ceramics, and Foundry, administers, supervises and manages the operations of the Materials Lab, Digital Lab (CDFS) and affiliated resources on a day-to-day basis. Functions as a technical advisor to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students and staff. Instructs students in all manners of fabricating art objects. Maintains Lab equipment and inventory, including all hand, machine and digital technologies. Ensures safe working practices of all fabrication equipment. Anticipates and recommends changes in instructional services to support curricular developments. Hires, trains and supervises Departmental Student Assistants and Graduate Teaching Assistants.

• Staff Administration
• Hires, trains and schedules Departmental Student Assistants and Graduate Student Teaching Assistants. Reviews applications, interviews applicants, processes paperwork, and provides scheduling.
• Trains, supervises and develops student employees in delivery of the Metal Shop, Materials Lab, Digital Lab and other Sculpture Facility resources and services.
• Advises Resale Manager of product requests from students and faculty.

• In coordination with Associate Director of Sculpture, Metal, Ceramics, and Foundry, supervises and oversees the operations of the Metal Shop, Materials Lab and Digital Lab.
• Works closely with the Associate Director and adjacent Managers to oversee the physical maintenance of tools, equipment and associated resources to provide a safe working environment.
• Meets regularly with other on-campus managers to maintain procedural consistency, discuss departmental projects and encourage general communication and teamwork.
• Works with Associate Director of Sculpture, Metal, Ceramics, and Foundry to develop and maintain safety programs.
• Facilitates student access to circulating tools, labs and associated resources. Manages usage records and fines.
• In consultation with the Associate Director, determines instructional supply, small equipment and operating supply purchases throughout the area.
• Other duties as assigned

• Provides instruction and technical assistance to graduate students, undergraduate students and faculty using the Materials Lab, Digital Lab, Metal Shop and associated materials, fabrication tools and equipment.
• Actively monitors and contributes to student progress on projects.
• Keeps current with curricular needs and changes within the Sculpture department.
• Assesses student and faculty needs and recommends services and training activities provided by the Metal Shop, Materials Lab, Digital Fabrication Studio and associated resources.
• Organizes and performs training workshops.
• Trains and mentors student employees.
• Maintains and develops online training content.

• Keeps current with developments in contemporary fabrication equipment and technologies. Makes recommendations to the Associate Director for future equipment acquisitions and process improvements.
• Keeps current of metal working, digital software, rapid prototyping, 3D modeling and related technologies.
• Performs research and assists in the development of proposals for future equipment needs and capital investment.
• Researches and develops materials for instructional guides and orientation documents for students and faculty.

• 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
  
  

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

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The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

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