Classroom Sewing Technician, Center for Continuing and Professional Studies

Fashion Institute of Technology; New York (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Fashion Institute of Technology seeks an experienced part-time instructional assistant to support sewing and garment construction courses at the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies. You will help with demonstrations, equipment setup, and hands-on assistance for adult learners.

The role requires an Associate’s degree in fashion or textiles and 5 years in sewing or teaching contexts, with availability for evenings and weekend classes. On-site work in New York, NY is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include an Associate's degree in costume, fashion, production, or technical design, or textile arts.
• 5 years of sewing, fashion environment, or teaching assistant experience.
• 1–2 years teaching experience in educational settings will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Instructional support: provide one-on-one or small group instruction to students on sewing techniques, patternmaking and fashion design.
• Classroom management: maintain a safe, clean, and organized workspace and manage materials.
• Technical assistance: demonstrate proper use of sewing machines, sergers, irons and tools.
• Equipment and supplies: distribute materials for student use and help complete sewing projects.
• Project guidance: assist with pattern reading, fabric selection and garment fitting techniques.
• Curriculum support: assist lead instructors with classroom setup and demonstrations.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance: provide onsite technical support and ensure lab equipment is in order.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to guide beginners

Fashion design knowledge

Teaching support experience

Education

Associate's degree in costume, fashion, production, or technical design, or textile arts

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Sewing lab equipment setup

Job description

Location: New York, NY Category: Other Job Type: Part-time Posted On: Fri Sep 11 2026

Job Description

This role supports faculty who teach introductory to advanced sewing, patternmaking, alterations, draping, garment construction, clothing reconstruction, and tailoring at FIT's Center for Continuing and Professional Studies. S/he will assist with demonstrations and instruction to adult learners on the techniques and proper handling and sewing lab equipment, including industrial Juki sewing machines. They will have experience in garment construction, draping, patternmaking, and ensuring a safe, creative, and organized classroom environment. Key responsibilities include the set-up and maintenance of sewing lab equipment: sewing machines, sergers, hemmers, and irons and providing hands‑on assistance with demonstrations under the direction of the teaching faculty.

Essential Functions

• Instructional Support: Provide one‑on‑one or small‑group instruction to students on learning hand stitching, machine sewing, patternmaking, draping, and fashion design techniques.
• Classroom Management: Ensure a safe, clean, and organized workspace, including maintaining equipment, and managing materials, and supplies.
• Technical Assistance: Demonstrate proper use of sewing machines, sergers, irons, and other tools.
• Equipment and Supplies: Distribute materials for student use, and help students to complete sewing projects in class.
• Project Guidance: Support students with pattern reading, fabric selection, and garment fitting techniques.
• Curriculum Support: Assist lead instructors with classroom set‑up and breakdown, material preparation, and lesson demonstrations.
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Provide onsite technical support and ensure that all lab equipment are in order for classes requiring the use of sewing and garment construction equipment.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in costume, fashion, production, or technical design, or textile arts.
• 5 years of experience in a sewing role, fashion environment, or teaching assistant role.
• 1‑2 years of experience teaching in educational settings such as pre‑college or college, arts or museum education, youth after‑school program, or adult education center will be considered.
• Proficiency in sewing, garment construction, and industrial sewing machine set‑up.
• Interest in working with adult learners aged 18 years and older, and seniors.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Familiarity with both domestic and, in some cases, industrial sewing equipment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to guide beginners and assist adult learners with following instruction and directions from the course instructor.
• Demonstrated knowledge in fashion design, alteration, sewing, garment construction, or tailoring techniques.
• Ability to set‑up and maintain sewing lab equipment: sewing machines, sergers, hemmers, and irons and providing hands‑on assistance with demonstrations under the direction of the teaching faculty.

Additional Information

This is a pooled position, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to fill current and future openings as they become available. Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $35 per hour

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-Sun; Up to 15 hours per week, Available to support classes that meet week days, evenings starting from 6pm-10pm, and weekends, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at [phone] or via email at [e-mail].

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212.217.3360.

Annual Security Report

The safety and well-being of FIT's students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety's administrative office number at [phone].

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be primarily in an office space. The physical requirement for this position will require frequent sitting, frequent standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, occasional pulling, pushing, or reaching, frequent repetitive motions, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.