Technician - Print Media

Join The New School 

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

Parsons, Mannes, Jazz, and Drama, 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 support 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 a self-service digital printing space for: Laser, Inkjet, Plotters & Risographs, along with book-making, binding, trimming, and finishing equipment, and service-based specialty printing on: UV, Vinyl Cutting, Solvent & Dye pigment printing.

This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters Professional union contract, that reports to the Facilities Manager, Print Media.

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND 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.
• Support students in their use of various printing and book-binding equipment, including laser printers, inkjet printers, inkjet plotters, risographs, and various mechanical book-binding machines.
• Independently output UV & Dye-Sublimation prints, along with vinyl projects submitted by students, faculty, and staff through our service bureau. 
• 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 purchases 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, recordkeeping, 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.
• Properly handle heavy paper/vinyl rolls and safely use ladders and other hardware to support facility needs.
• Acquire working knowledge of UV printers, solvent printers, dye pigment printers, and vinyl cutting, within the first 6 months of employment.
• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
• Upon hiring, completion of university-required staff trainings and necessary Certificate of Fitness for all Making Center Facilities.
• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years of 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.
• Become proficient in the current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
• Technical knowledge of various laser printers, inkjet printers, inkjet plotters, risographs, various mechanical book binding machines, hand book binding, and cold & hot lamination.
• Technical knowledge of independent and/or commercial publishing processes and practices.
• Technical knowledge of multi-page layout software and digital printing output for books.
• Full comprehensive experience running, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting necessary equipment/tools.
• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment, with a working knowledge of large-scale hardware and software deployment, network systems, printer drivers, and color calibration/profiling.
• Familiarity with the Google Suite and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator).
• 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.
• Experience in handling high-traffic customer service.
• 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.
• Knowledge of Google Calendar, or comparable equipment finance management and scheduling systems.
• Familiarity with pay-for-print and e-commerce platforms such as Paper Cut and Touchnet.
• Awareness of zine/booklet publishing techniques.
• Knowledge and interest in combining digital and analog printmaking processes.
• Knowledge of digital printer repair and maintenance.
• Experience with various print and booklet finishing options.
• Experience with running group workshops.
• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement. #LI-ONSITE

SALARY RANGE

$28.52 per hour/$51,906.40 per annum 

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

BENEFITS AT THE NEW SCHOOL

The New School is committed to supporting the well-being and success of our faculty and staff. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their eligible dependents. Highlights include:

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Wellness 

• Retirement plan administered by TIAA
• Qualified Transportation Expense Plan

Work-Life Balance

• Paid vacation and sick leave, with accruals starting on your first day
• Paid holidays and floating holidays
• Workmode & Telework Policy (if applicable)

Professional Growth

• Career advancement and professional development opportunities
• Access to university programs, lectures, and events featuring world-renowned speakers and organizations
• Tuition waiver benefit for eligible employees and dependents

Additional Perks

• Employee discounts with local vendors and service providers

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS *

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter in your application.