Technical Assistant III, Apparel Design

Rhode Island School of Design; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island School of Design seeks a Technical Assistant III for the Apparel Design Department. The role guides safety and proper use of machinery, supports student projects, and maintains diverse technical equipment required for apparel design.

This position emphasizes safe operation, research, development, and collaboration across facilities and ITS. The successful candidate will work in a campus environment committed to equity, climate justice, and access to resources, with responsibilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; 4+ years in art/design disciplines or related tech.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may apply.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and troubleshoot shop machinery and department equipment in rooms and facilities.
• Coordinate routine and emergency estimates with RISD Facilities and outside vendors.
• Assist with events such as critiques, runway show, and exhibitions; organize spaces and equipment.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and support work-study students; ensure safety and quality of work.
• Instruct and assist faculty, students, and others in safe use of equipment; provide technical guidance on student projects.
• Support Canal Street Studios Computer Lab with ITS; coordinate hardware setup and software installation; liaise with ITS and faculty.
• Identify, research, and purchase equipment and upgrades; manage inventory; develop lab policies and procedures.
• Ensure Environmental Health & Safety compliance with RISD EPA, RI DEM, and OSHA standards; act as liaison with EHS and Academic/Public Safety.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safety training

Lab management

EPA standards

Student supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

ITS coordination

Lab computers & peripherals

Job description

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Technical Assistant III to join the Apparel Design Department. The Technical Assistant III instructs faculty and students in the safe and proper use of machinery, equipment, safety, and supplies. The position provides advice and guidance on the technical parameters of student projects. The role conducts research, designs, develops, implements, and maintains diverse technical equipment and materials required in the Apparel Design Department.

The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Maintenance:
  • Maintain and troubleshoot all shop machinery and other department-related equipment in the various rooms, centers, and shared facilities.
  • Maintain and repair machinery and equipment as required. Research outside vendors for consultation, repairs, and upgrades as necessary.
  • Coordinate and arrange routine and emergency estimates from the RISD Facilities Department and outside contractors to maintain, alter, and improve departmental facilities.
• Events:
  • Assist with all phases of work during critiques, the annual Apparel Collection runway show, and other events including Crit Jury, and the Woods-Gerry Triennial exhibition showcasing the realizations of Apparel students.
  • In conjunction with the Apparel Department Head, plan, coordinate, and organize the appropriate spaces and equipment for the presentation of students' work during critiques.
• Work Study:
  • Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and support work-study students who assist the department.
  • Oversee departmental student employees to ensure quality and quantity of work with emphasis on safety.
  • Train students in the proper operation, handling, and care of equipment, tools, and materials.
  • Train in basic Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards and provide access to first aid education.
• Instructional Support:
  • Instruct, train, and assist full-time faculty, part-time faculty, students, and others in the proper and safe use of equipment, machinery, supplies, and facility operational procedures.
  • Advise and provide technical support and guidance on student projects.
• Computer Lab:
  • Work with Information Technology Services (ITS) to support Canal Street Studios Computer Lab and the functioning of computers, scanners, and printers.
  • Coordinate hardware setup and software installation with ITS on the department lab computers and in offices.
  • Work with faculty and ITS to identify hardware, software, peripheral specifications, prices, and licensing.
  • Research, recommend, and purchase apparel-specific equipment, peripherals, and software required for efficiently running the department.
  • Develop and recommend policies and procedures for managing and maintaining the lab in a secure and functioning state.
  • Establish, publish, and communicate policies and procedures that will allow for the efficient operation of the department computer lab by faculty, staff, and students.
  • Maintain, repair, and/or troubleshoot all computers and other related equipment promptly to keep classes on schedule.
  • Serve as principal liaison with ITS.
• Budget:
  • Identify, research, evaluate, recommend, and purchase new or available equipment, features, and upgrades and how the same may be used to support the educational curriculum.
  • Suggest improvements to or modifications of facility, equipment, and tools.
  • Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies. Oversee the budget for these capital expenditures and for monitors to ensure proper coverage of shop facilities within the allocated budget.
• Research & Development:
  • Research and develop modifications and improvements for the departmental facility, machines, equipment, tools, and safety procedures.
  • Coordinate with the departmental supervisor on the prioritization of specialized equipment, unique projects, and new procedures.
• Environmental Health & Safety / Risk Management:
  • Help ensure compliance with all RISD EPA, RI DEM, Narragansett Bay Commission, and OSHA-mandated regulations.
  • Serve as principal liaison between RISD's Apparel Department and RISD's Department of Environmental Health & Safety for all EHS issues.
  • Act as a principal liaison with Academic Affairs and Public Safety for all RISD Apparel facilities and equipment.
  • Instruct and assist full-time faculty, part-time faculty, visiting critics, students, and others in the Apparel Department in the implementation of and compliance with the RISD ARTS model - which serves as the core of RISD's Environmental Management System.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of four (4) years of practical or relevant work experience in the art & design disciplines and associated technologies are required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the minimum educational requirement.

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