Technician, Digital Tools

newschool; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The New School's Parsons Making Center seeks a Full-time Technician in Digital Tools to oversee daily operations of its labs and equipment. The role focuses on supporting students and faculty with laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, and digital prototyping in a dynamic, university setting.

You'll engage with a diverse community, conduct trainings, and help maintain safety, scheduling, and documentation across multiple fabrication spaces within the Making Center.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to support students in interdisciplinary and experimental fabrication.
• Flexible schedule including nights/weekends when needed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Making Center facilities.
• Provide high level customer service to students and faculty.
• Support users with laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, and digital prototyping.
• Lead demonstrations and training sessions on equipment use.
• Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, inventories, and metrics.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Flexible scheduling

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Laser cutting

3D printing

CNC milling

Digital prototyping

Job description

Join The New School

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

Parsons, Mannes, Jazz, and Drama, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Digital Tools for the Making Center. Parsons Making Center is a collection of more than 70,000 sq. ft. of labs, shops, studios, and open workspaces that provide curricular support for making across a broad range of mediums and disciplines, and supports experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. This is a fast-paced, dynamic environment that runs year-round. The Technician should be a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who will become integral to the daily workings of the facilities within the Making Center, with the ability to learn new skills and technologies as needed. The Technician will interface with students and faculty daily and work with Making Center staff to support multiple processes and resources for all users in a range of making spaces including the Laser Lab, 3D Lab, CNC Machine Shops, Physical Computing areas, and open work areas.

This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters union contract, that reports to the Managers of Digital Tools.

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.
• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff.
• Support students in their use of various Digital Fabrication tools, including: laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, and digital prototyping.
• Independently output 3d prints, along with CNC milling projects submitted by students, faculty, and staff through our service bureau.
• Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, and continuous operation of a variety of hardware/software technologies and stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following: Support faculty and students.
• Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.
• Make hardware/software purchases and process recommendations.
• Create and update web page content.
• Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.
• Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff, through peer-to-peer training and skills sharing.
• Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.
• Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas.
• Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.
• B ecome proficient in Web Check Out or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
• Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.
• Assist with facility improvement projects, shows and installations, and special Making Center, program, school, or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment; meet deadlines and anticipate facility and checkout center needs, adjusting approach and prioritizing competing demands.
• Completion of university-required staff trainings and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.
• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's Degree and 3 years of relevant or professional experience within the industry.
• 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.
• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to schedule shifts with semester changes.
• Experience with various production and digital fabrication techniques; be familiar with practices related to current design and art practice - including fabrication, methodology, and processes; experience and knowledge of working with