Visual Arts Technician - Foundations Programs

University of North Texas - Denton; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Texas in Denton seeks a Visual Arts Technician for the Foundations Programs to provide technical support, oversee studio safety, and assist instructors and students with equipment.

This full-time role includes coordinating instructional resources, maintaining classrooms, and contributing to program operations across Canvas, SharePoint, and related platforms. Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm, with responsibilities across the academic year.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree and two years related experience or any equivalent combination.
• Knowledge of safety practices related to the area of assignment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides operational support for Foundations classes and studios to ensure safe, efficient, and effective instructional environments.
• Maintains equipment, classrooms, and instructional resources and supports faculty and students throughout the academic year.
• Coordinates program resources, materials, and documentation within university platforms.
• Assists with budgeting, purchasing, and inventory management for instructional resources.
• Supports onboarding of instructors and coordination of program events.

Skills

Equipment maintenance

Safety oversight

Instructional support

Curriculum coordination

Education

Associate's degree

MFA in Studio Art (preferred)

Tools

Canvas

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

OneDrive

Job description

Visual Arts Technician - Foundations Programs

Salary: 39600

Job Location: Denton

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Foundations program is the gateway and first-year experience for all incoming students. It is the core of all undergraduate degree programs in the College of Visual Art and Design at the University of North Texas. The coursework in the Foundations program introduces visual problem-solving and critical-thinking strategies incorporating and studying culture, history, and practices of various art and design forms across disciplines to prepare students for rigorous college courses in visual art, design, art education and art history.

The curriculum provides a foundation for all CVAD students, regardless of program, in professional practice, critical thinking, and writing embedded within a framework of maker-based first-year studio courses.

Together, these courses function as a whole, conceptually driven, skills-based, and experiential.

Faculty in the Foundations program are accomplished artists and designers in their respective fields. They maintain active studio practices and exhibit their work nationally and internationally.

Position Overview

Responsible for providing technical support, equipment maintenance, and safety oversight of academic shop/classroom studio operations. Assists and instructs students and faculty on the proper use of equipment and effective shop/studio practices. Provides direct and indirect curriculum, classroom, and programmatic support for instruction in the CVAD Foundations Programs instructor and students. This position will work closely with the Foundations Coordinator on programmatic support on an ongoing basis.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree and two years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Skill in utilization and maintenance of equipment or machinery related to the area of assignment. Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to plan and prioritize work for self and others. Ability to work collaboratively and build relations with colleagues, coworkers, and constituents. Knowledge of safety and security practices related to the area of assignment.

Preferred Qualifications

MFA in Studio Art, Design, or related fields. Prior experience in curriculum and classroom support.

Job Duties

• Studio Operations, Safety, and Instructional Support: Provides operational support for Foundations classes and studios to ensure safe, efficient, and effective instructional environments. Maintains compliance with university and college health and safety standards; oversees classroom readiness, equipment maintenance, tool checkout systems, and instructional resources; and provides technical and logistical support to faculty, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Adjunct Faculty, student employees, and students throughout the academic year.
• Program Operations and Academic Support: Coordinates operational activities that support the Foundations curriculum and instructional mission. Maintains shared program resources, digital instructional materials, and standardized documentation within university-supported platforms (e.g., Canvas, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive). Collaborates with program leadership to implement policies, procedures, instructor resources, orientations, and initiatives that promote consistent course delivery across the program.
• Records Management, Assessment, and Documentation: Develops and maintains systems for program documentation, record retention, assessment materials, and digital archives in accordance with university and college requirements. Coordinates semester collection of instructional records and student outcome documentation while maintaining organized and accessible program resources for accreditation, assessment, and historical reference.
• Budget, Purchasing, Inventory, and Resource Management: Coordinates purchasing and inventory management for instructional equipment, supplies, and classroom materials. Maintains inventory systems; develops workflows for replenishment and lifecycle management; processes purchases utilizing university procurement systems, including PCard and SAP Concur; and assists program leadership with budget planning and allocation of instructional resources.
• Administrative Coordination and Program Communications: Provides administrative support for daily program operations by coordinating instructor office hours, locker assignments, internal communications, scheduling logistics, and other operational processes. Assists with onboarding new instructors, supervising student employees, coordinating information between faculty and staff, and supporting special projects, exhibitions, and program events.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other related duties in support of the operational, instructional, and strategic needs of the Foundations Program, Department, College, and University.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like.
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 50 pounds.
• Operating machinery and/or power tools.
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Environmental Hazards

• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Elevated temperatures.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -and takes actions to prevent - discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.