Laboratory Assistant: Supporting Languages, Digital Humanities, and Creative Technologies

Oberlin College Development; Oberlin (OH); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Part time

Job summary

Oberlin College Language Lab seeks a part‑time Laboratory Assistant to help maintain a dynamic learning space. You will support students and staff, assist with equipment, and contribute to creative projects across languages, digital humanities, and technology platforms.

You will help manage reservations, run basic audio/video production tasks, and support 3D printing and media production activities. Training will be provided; the role fits about 5–7 hours weekly with morning to early-evening

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently while collaborating with students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Interest in educational technology, languages, or creative technologies.
• Experience with audio or video production or 3D printing is welcome but not required.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and assist students, faculty, staff, and visitors in the Language Lab.
• Provide technical support for presentations, projectors, displays, recording equipment, and other instructional tech.
• Support the lab’s 3D printing program: model prep, slicing, printer operation, basic troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Assist with reservations and check-out of audio recording booths and media equipment; help with recording/editing apps.
• Facilitate access to creative technologies and encourage exploration and independent learning.
• Develop and lead occasional workshops on 3D printing, audio, or media production.

Skills

Independence

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Educational technology

3D printing

Audio/video production

Linux

Digital fabrication

Tools

Mac/PC basics

Job description

Laboratory Assistant: Supporting Languages, Digital Humanities, and Creative Technologies

The Language Lab is a welcoming space where students study, collaborate, create, and explore new technologies in support of language learning, the humanities, and creative projects. From media production and audio recording to 3D printing and digital making, the lab serves as a hub for both curricular and co-curricular learning.

The Language Lab Assistant helps maintain this dynamic environment by providing technical support, assisting with creative projects, facilitating access to equipment and spaces, and helping ensure that the lab remains an inviting, well-organized, and innovative resource for the Oberlin community.

Students with interests in technology, media production, digital fabrication, languages, design, or creative problem‑solving are encouraged to apply. Training will be provided for all aspects of the position.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and assist students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors using the Language Lab and its resources.
• Provide technical support for classroom presentations, projectors, displays, speakers, recording equipment, the green screen room, audio recording booths, and other instructional technologies.
• Support the lab’s 3D printing program, including assisting users with finding or creating models, preparing files for printing (slicing), operating printers, troubleshooting basic issues, and maintaining equipment.
• Assist students using the audio recording booths and media production equipment, including helping with reservations, checking equipment in and out, and providing basic support for recording and editing applications.
• Facilitate access to creative technologies while encouraging experimentation, exploration, and independent learning.
• Develop and facilitate occasional workshops or demonstrations on topics such as 3D printing, audio recording, media production, or other technologies available in the lab.
• Contribute ideas for new workshops, events, and creative programming that reflect the interests and expertise of the student staff while promoting engagement with the Language Lab.
• Create instructional materials, reference guides, tutorials, or promotional materials to support the effective use of lab resources.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, welcoming, and functional lab environment, including equipment, furniture, supplies, and workspaces.
• Assist with routine operational tasks, including watering plants, opening and closing procedures, and notifying Safety & Security when securing the lab at the end of the day.
• Assist with special projects and other duties that support the mission of the Language Lab.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Professionalism, reliability, and a willingness to contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Interest in educational technology, digital media, languages, makerspaces, or creative technologies.
• Experience with audio or video production, 3D printing, Linux, digital fabrication, multimedia editing, or related technologies is welcomed but not required.
• Curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn new technologies and share that knowledge with others.
• The successful candidate will be available approximately 5–7 hours per week, able to start morning shifts at 9 a.m., and work evening shifts until 8 p.m.

Office of Human Resources
Oberlin College
173 West Lorain Street
Oberlin OH 44074
http://new.oberlin.edu/office/human-resources/

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
[e-mail]