Assistant Director, 280 Metalshop

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.

Benefits-eligible Non-standard Hiring Range Role

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

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full Time Salaried
• Grade Level: 8
  
  

About The Position

Instruct and support students from across the SAIC in fabricating art objects in the Metalshop. Administer, supervise, maintain and direct the operations of the 280 Metal Shop facilities and specialized resources on a day-to-day basis. Function as a technical advisor to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and staff. Hire, supervise, train and provide leadership to Metalshop staff. Hire, train, and supervise student employees. Ensure safe working practices for all fabrication equipment, materials, and processes. Anticipate and recommend changes in instructional services to support curricular developments. Facilitate ongoing communication between Department Chairs, Administration, Staff, and Faculty regarding facility needs.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Staff Administration
• Provide leadership, evaluate performance, and oversee the activities of reporting staff.
• In coordination with Metal Shop Manager, hire, train, and supervise student employees. Review applications, interview applicants, process paperwork, and provide scheduling.Train, supervise, and develop student employees in the execution of facility services, process, and resources.
• Communicate and coordinate needs with Facilities Services and Engineering.
• Advise Material Source staff of product requests from students and faculty, oversee sales and distribution of materials in coordination with Material Source operations staff.
• Equipment and Facilities Management
• Lead, direct, and supervise the operations of the 280 Metal Shop facilities and specialized resources on a day-to-day basis.
• Oversee the physical maintenance of tools, equipment, and associated resources to provide a safe working environment.
• Develop and implement tool check-out policies and procedures for departmental equipment and tools. Oversee and maintain inventory.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures governing access, use, and instructional services.
• Implement all policies, procedures, and training programs for the 280 Metal Shop facilities and specialized resources in coordination with the Associate Director.
• Oversee and implement facility appropriate safety protocol in partnership with EHS. This includes,
• but is not limited to, maintaining departmental SDS database and hazard communication protocol and training, coordinating respirator fit tests, and lock-out-tag out of equipment and spaces.
• Work closely with the Associate Director to develop annual budget proposals, future project needs, and capital investments.
• Execute instructional supply, small equipment, and operating supply purchases in consultation with Associate Director and Administration.
• Collaborate closely with facility leaders from other making spaces to coordinate services.
• Teaching & Instruction
• Provide advanced-level instruction and technical assistance to faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students using the facilities and equipment.
• Keep current with curricular needs and changes of all SAIC Studio Departments.
• Train and mentor student employees who facilitate the training of facility operations and equipment.
• Work with Department Chairs, Administrative Director, and faculty to efficiently schedule class resources and equipment authorization workshops.
• Assess student and faculty needs, and recommend services and training provided by the Sculpture department. Provide lecture and instructional services to classes as needed.
• Design, organize, and implement training workshops to facilitate basic access and for advanced process applications.
• Research and Development
• Keep current of contemporary fabrication trends and technologies. Make recommendations to the Department Chair and Associate Director for equipment acquisitions.
• Perform research and assist in the development of proposals for future facility needs and capital investments.
• Research and develop written materials for instructional guides and orientation documents for students and faculty.
• Maintain a list of off-campus resources for students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintain a running history of services and support records and system status.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Education - Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art, Design, Engineering or related
  
  

Field Required. Master’s Preferred. Equivalent Experience May Be

considered.

• Experience - Must have at least 2 years of instructional or supervisory experience in an educational or industrial facility. Teaching/instructional experience preferred.
• Skills
• Advanced metal fabrication.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Strong managerial skills, including the ability to supervise and schedule staff, implement policies and procedures, order materials, and maintain a budget.
• Must be proficient with office software such as Google suite, Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to address the artistic concerns of students, faculty, and staff.
• Advanced knowledge in several of the following areas is required: mold-making, wood fabrication, metal fabrication, foundry processes, sculpture installation, model making, machining, CNC operation, CAD design.