Coordinator, Labs and Makerspaces

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefits program

Supportive work culture

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

A renowned educational institution in California is seeking a motivated Lab and Makerspace Coordinator to support operational and administrative functions of its makerspaces and instructional labs. The ideal candidate will foster an inclusive environment, coordinate supplies and events, and maintain detailed records. Candidates should possess strong organizational skills and a background in customer service. This full-time position requires onsite work, contributing to an innovative educational experience for students in engineering programs.

Qualifications

• Exceptional ability to track and maintain detailed records.
• Experience providing customer-service focused support.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and administrative support for makerspaces.
• Coordinate and track equipment and supply inventory.
• Plan and implement programs and events for student engagement.

Skills

Customer service

Organization

Time-management

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Associate's degree desired

Tools

Microsoft Office

PeopleSoft

Google Suite

Job description

Position Title

Coordinator, Labs and Makerspaces

Position Type

Regular

Job Number

SA74624

Full or Part Time

full-time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification

Non-Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range

$25.00 - $27.00

Pay Range Information

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Job Description Summary

The rapidly growing Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering (FSE) seeks highly motivated colleagues to help build Chapman University’s newest school. Opened in the fall of 2019, FSE offers undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, along with a new graduate degree program, a MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The School also offers several interdisciplinary minors and themed inquiry programs which allow students from across other Chapman programs to explore engineering.

FSE is housed in the new Swenson Family Hall of Engineering, a cutting‑edge facility that supports student learning, campus‑wide project activities, and faculty‑led research. Within Swenson Hall is an open‑access makerspace, the Design / Create/ Innovate Lab (DCI), consisting of four rooms that house a wide variety of low and high‑end fabrication equipment. The DCI Lab supports academic and personal projects and welcomes individuals from all levels of making, design, and innovation experience. A goal of the lab is to encourage an inclusive and supportive community of makers across the entire campus community who want to become more familiar with the tools and resources in the spaces. In addition to the DCI Lab, FSE has two instructional labs: the Signals and Cyber Lab and the Circuits and Structures Lab.

Fowler Engineering is looking for a collaborative and detail‑oriented individual with excellent interpersonal, organization, and time‑management skills to join the team and fill the role of Lab and Makerspace Coordinator. This position is a vital support role for FSE by providing administrative and logistical support in the day‑to‑day operation of the makerspaces, instructional labs, and stockroom. This position is one of three DCI Lab positions who report to the Assistant Director. Due to the responsibilities and daily demands of the position, the candidate must be available to work fully onsite at the Main Campus in Orange, CA. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Alternative work hours may be considered.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director, the Lab and Makerspace Operations Coordinator will provide detailed and collaborative support in the administrative operation of the makerspaces (Design, Create, Innovate Lab) and instructional labs as well as plan and implement programs, workshops and events to support the Fowler School of Engineering (FSE). Day‑to‑day support includes ordering, receiving, and inventorying tools, parts, materials, and equipment; ensuring a smooth and efficient distribution and return of assets, supplies, and equipment in accordance with Fowler Engineering and University policies; prepare class kits, tag and safely store chemicals, schedule room reservations, coordinate hazardous material pickup, and ensure labs are appropriately stocked. Foster an inclusive environment with student activities and engagement with makerspace resources by developing partnerships with individual students, student clubs and organizations, faculty, staff and campus partners at varying skill levels and expertise.

This role balances administrative and project coordination. It requires the individual to be an exceptionally detail‑oriented, self‑starter who is also proactive with the ability to develop, coordinate and execute projects independently and within a team environment. Serves on school and university committees as requested.

Responsibilities

Administrative and Operational Support

• Through excellent customer service and efficiency, provide day‑to‑day operational and administrative support of FSE’s makerspaces, instructional labs, and stockroom.
• Work collaboratively with technical and administrative staff to manage equipment and supply inventory and reservations. Coordinate and track equipment/supply requests, checkouts, and returns. Track past due inventory and resolve conflicts/shortfalls.
• Serve as a cashier and provide oversight of the Point‑of‑Sale system to process transactions of materials and parts sold in the makerspaces and stockroom.
• Create and track purchase requests and orders. Monitor and obtain approvals for contract agreements, IS&T review, and new suppliers. Confirm delivery and receipt of purchased items. Work closely with vendors and FSE’s financial team to ensure invoice and delivery notice information is accurate.
• Regularly meet with leadership, faculty, and staff to review equipment, tools, and materials for instructional and space needs. Ensure spaces are properly equipped. Proactively order and fulfill materials.
• Oversee instructional kit packing for relevant classes prior to the start of each semester.
• Coordinate and maintain asset, tool, and equipment inventory. Affix and record ID tags and serial numbers as required by FSE and University.
• Coordinate and maintain the chemical inventory database and update inventory appropriately when chemicals are acquired, expired, or consumed. Coordinate hazardous waste removal.
• Support students and faculty in acquiring parts and supplies for course‑related projects, engineering‑specific extracurricular activities, and academic research.
• Work with faculty and staff to ensure instructional labs, makerspaces, and stockroom are clean, functional, organized, safe, and usable on a daily basis.
• Attend meetings, including facilities coordination and risk management meetings, as required and report back to the Makerspace Manager and FSE Leadership.
• Provide support for enterprise systems such as PeopleSoft, PeopleAdmin, Concur, 25Live, etc.
• Maintain essential documents for the efficient operation of the spaces. Regularly update and record purchase and inventory logs, operational manuals, training materials, event and workshop schedules, and data collection. Data collection includes makerspace usage and activity logs to record events and projects using the facilities.
• Follow all safety policies, procedures and programs; act as a responsible party for individual safety and the safety of others.

Program and Event Support

• Foster student activities and engagement with makerspace resources by developing partnerships with individual students, student clubs and organizations, faculty, staff and campus partners at varying skill levels and expertise.
• Provide administrative and routine support in the development and facilitation of programs, workshops, and events (with selected evening and weekend hours as needed.)
• Coordinate and support workshop and activity logistics including space reservations, invitations, supporting materials, AV equipment, announcements, contract agreements, food orders, etc.
• Create a positive and welcoming environment for users of all backgrounds and skill levels.
• Perform other essential duties and tasks specific to the position.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree desired or equivalent in education. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience providing collaborative, customer-service focused administrative and operational support.
• Experience in ordering, receiving, and distribution of assets/supplies or general supply chain coordination.
• Exceptional ability to track and maintain detailed and organized records particularly in regard to distribution, use, maintenance, and storage of equipment, tools, and materials.
• An advanced understanding of Microsoft Office programs and technical skills to learn and use enterprise systems needed for the position (PeopleSoft, 25Live, Canvas, Concur, Google Suite, etc.)
• Ability to research and learn general understanding of tools, electronic parts, supplies, consumables, and equipment.
• Highly flexible, adaptable with ability to thrive in a fast‑paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to convey accurate information in a professional manner, with the ability to interact with diverse individuals and groups at all organizational levels.
• Ability to learn, demonstrate and enforce proper health and safety procedures and regulations.
• Highly organized, resourceful, and creative with the ability to plan and coordinate multiple priorities and events and deliver assignments on time.
• Ability to problem‑solve and make decisions that are consistent with, and in support of, school goals and objectives and in accordance with University policy.

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Labs and Makerspaces and is part of a team of faculty and staff who are committed to the student experience. May supervise student employees. Application review will begin immediately and may close at any time without prior notice.

Chapman University is committed to providing a comprehensive employee benefits program that helps our employees stay healthy, feel secure and maintain a work‑life balance. More information on Chapman’s benefits program may be found on the Office of Human Resources website.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

The offer of employment for the final candidate is contingent upon satisfactory completion of and outcomes of a criminal background screening, and upon the acceptance of and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.