Technician - Wood & Metal

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 approximately 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, includingParsons School of Design and the College of Performing Arts (Mannes, Jazz, and Drama), Lang College and the New School for Social Research, and Parsons Paris. 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 Wood and Metal 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, supporting 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, but not limited to, the N2 Wood Shop and associated open work areas, tool checkouts, material store, and storage, as well as the E4 Wood and Metal Shops and Wet Shops.

This is an administrative position governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters union contract, reporting to the Assistant Manager and Facilities Manager of the N2 Woodshop. 

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. 
• Work with other Making Center staff on troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, continuous operation, and support for a variety of hardware/software and technologies.
• 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 training 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
  • Oversee daily operations of the Making Center facilities, including healthy, safe, and respectful making practices.
  • 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.
• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff. 
• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment with productive and positive workplace relationships.
• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
• Complete university-required staff training and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.
• Become proficient in Web Check Out or the current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by the 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.
• Knowledge of a variety of production and fabrication techniques; be familiar with practices related to current design and art practice including: fabrication, methodology, and processes; experience and knowledge of working with a wide variety of materials.
• Technical knowledge of wood and metal-based practices in all or some of the following areas: furniture making, sculpture (including ceramics and casting), product prototyping, model making, millwork, hot metal working, cold metal working, jewelry and non-ferrous metalworking, cold bending and steam bending wood, architectural or art installation.
• Full comprehensive experience in maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting equipment/tools.
• Ability to work safely with and demonstrate proper use of a wide array of hand tools, power tools, and machinery.
• 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.
• 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

• Basic familiarity with ceramic and casting processes, including plaster casting, handbuilding, wheel throwing, and ceramic firing processes.
• Familiarity with any of the following is a plus: CNC/digital fabrication equipment, CAD programs, vacuum forming, physical computing, finishes, plastics, foams, and/or fabrics.
• Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems.
• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment. 
• Experience with large-scale hardware and software deployments.
• 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.

Hybrid work arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the role and operational needs. Any such arrangement must be discussed and approved in advance by the appropriate division lead or their designee. #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 include a Resume and Cover Letter in your application.