Technician, Sewing and Soft Construction

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POSITION TITLE

Full Time Technician, Sewing and Soft Construction

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Sewing and Soft Construction 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.  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.  This is a fast-paced dynamic environment that runs year-round. 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 sewing, shoemaking, tool checkout, and soft construction facilities. 

This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters union contract, that reports to the Facilities Manager of Sewing, Textiles, and Soft Construction.

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 supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:

• Assist faculty and students.

• Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.

• Make hardware/software purchase 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, inventories, and metrics 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 prioritizes 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s Degree and/or 3 years 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 proj