Sewing & Soft Construction Technician for Making Center

The New School; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement plan

Paid vacation and sick leave

Tuition waiver for employees

Job summary

The New School, Parsons Making Center, is seeking a Full-time Technician in Sewing and Soft Construction. This on-campus role supports a wide range of making spaces and oversees daily operations, teaching, and documentation.

You will interact with students and faculty in a dynamic, year-round setting under a Local 1205 Teamsters contract for a 3-year term. Qualified candidates have a degree or 3 years in the industry, flexible hours, and strong sewing/technical skills.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree and/or 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.
• Completion of university required staff trainings and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.
• Become proficient in WebCheckout or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
• Knowledge of industrial sewing and soft construction techniques, finishing, and troubleshooting for traditional garment and accessory construction, as well as experimental projects.
• Technical knowledge of a variety of industrial sewing techniques and machinery.
• Confidence in threading, safe operation and maintenance of sewing machines.
• Mechanical understanding, with a strong desire to learn how to troubleshoot and maintain several different types of industrial machines for repair and maintenance purposes.
• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Suite.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment and uphold a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.
• Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, continuous operation, and support for a variety of hardware/software and technologies.
• Assist faculty and students.
• Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.
• Make hardware/software purchases and process recommendations.
• Create 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, record-keeping, inventory, and metric tracking.
• Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas.
• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned.
• 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 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.
• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Industrial sewing

Soft construction

Cross-platform

Adobe Creative Cloud

Google Suite

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Customer service

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree

3 years experience

Tools

WebCheckout

Equipment management system

Industrial sewing machines maintenance

Job description

The New School, Parsons Making Center, is seeking a Full-time Technician in Sewing and Soft Construction. This on-campus role supports a wide range of making spaces and oversees daily operations, teaching, and documentation.

You will interact with students and faculty in a dynamic, year-round setting under a Local 1205 Teamsters contract for a 3-year term. Qualified candidates have a degree or 3 years in the industry, flexible hours, and strong sewing/technical skills.