Fabrication Studio Operations Manager

The Fabrication Studio Operations Manager is responsible for the management and administration of the Fabrication studios on the San Francisco campus, working closely with faculty and staff to support students in the Design and Architecture Divisions. The Studio Operations Manager reports to the Associate Director of Studio Operations at CCA, working to guide, develop and manage daily shop and studio operations including the Tool Center, Furniture Studio, Model Shop, Metal Shop, Spray Booth & Casting Room, and Sanding & Finishing Room, while demonstrating and upholding positive and professional studio culture at CCA.
The Fabrication Studio Operations Manager manages 3-4 full-time studio managers and assists in managing 2 Graduate Student Assistants and 20+ studio monitors to create an open, accessible and safe learning environment. This person is responsible for coordinating content and delivery of shop orientations and ensuring that safety regulations and shop policies are applied consistently and correctly across the entire SF operation. Experience with a student population is key; the Studio Operations Manager interacts with a 400+ student users, including many international students and English-language learners. The Studio Operations Manager is responsible for budget planning, including sourcing materials, supplies and equipment to support courses and future studio needs. Knowledge of regulations for health, life, and safety as they apply to fabrication operations in wood, metal, and plastics is required. Familiarity working with unions and collective bargaining agreements is preferred.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION - 40%

• Management and oversight of day-to-day operations of the Fabrication Studio Management team which oversees the Tool Center, Furniture Studio, Model Shop, Metal Shop, Spray Booth & Casting Room, and Sanding & Finishing Room.

• Management of 3-4 full-time union-eligible staff in Fabrication Studio: Furniture Studio Manager, Model Shop/Fabrication Studio Manager, and additional Fabrication Studio Managers, who are the front-line support for all of the spaces mentioned above.

• Develops and maintains systems and policies for safety, access, and management of the SF Shops.

• Supervises 2 Graduate Studio Assistants and 20+ student shop monitors.

• Manages and maintains tool inventory; administers tool checkout database system using Webcheckout software.

• Manages content, scheduling and delivery of safety orientations, ensuring that safety rules and shop policies are consistently communicated and applied in all San Francisco shops and studios.

• Works with the Associate Director of Studio Operations for planning, presenting, and executing of the Fabrication Studio budget, including materials, supplies, and equipment.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT - 20%

• Instructional resource; teaches staff, students and faculty to use equipment and solve technical problems.

• Develops and delivers workshops and demonstrations for specialty techniques and tool use, including facilitating guest artist visits and outside vendor visits.

• Holds faculty accountable for teaching safety standards and holds primary oversight for ensuring student understanding of dangerous shop equipment.

STUDIO OPERATIONS - 35%

• Identifies and executes facility improvements to ensure alignment with curricular needs. 

• Implements and manages policies and procedures for hazardous materials handling, orientation and studio policies to ensure shops and studios are safe and effective learning environments. 

Non-Essential Job Function(s) - 5%

• Offers technical oversight and back-up support for other CCA studios, including but not limited to Fashion, Digital Fabrication, and First Year/Fine Arts.

• Manages students in distress.

• Serves as a member of the College’s Emergency Response Team.

• Performs additional duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required 

• 3 years expertise in shop and studio tools, equipment, processes, fabrication and assembly techniques.

• Practicing artist, designer, or craftsperson preferred.

Administrative & Management Experience

• 3+ years of management and/or leadership experience in art, design and/or higher education.

• Confident using independent judgment in decision making.

• Leadership experience, proven success developing relationships across organizations.

• Highly developed organizational and task management skills; strong, oral and written communication skills.

• Two years of budget management experience required, comfortable planning and executing annual operating budgets and capital improvements, as well as tracking purchases.

• Experience managing a team and working with students is preferred.

Specialized Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of a broad range of physical materials and fabrication techniques.

• Knowledge of and commitment to environmental health and safety regulations and best practices.

• Familiarity using a variety of software applications including G Suite, Excel, Adobe Illustrator and/or CAD applications and Mac/Apple proficiency. 

• Technical expertise in fabrication required, including a thorough knowledge of use and maintenance of hand and power tools.

• Digital fabrication experience preferred.

• Must possess a valid California driver's license.

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to work in a culturally-competent manner with diverse groups.

• Strong work ethic; ability to work independently and proactively. 

• Must demonstrate competence, reliability, and honesty.

• Proven success establishing and maintaining positive and cooperative working relationships; commitment to quality of service

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS :

• The range for the position is $70,551 - $71,409 annually.

• CCA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including the choice of five medical plans, generous holiday, sick & vacation time, a retirement match and tuition remission. CCA covers an average of 91% of the medical plan cost for the employee only and an average of 82% for employees with dependents. More information can be found here: https://portal.cca.edu/working/office-human-resources/employee-benefits .

WORK SCHEDULE :

• CCA considers a full-time work week to be 37.5 hours per week.

 

Please note that in an effort to keep the CCA community safe, the College requires all staff, faculty, and students who are on campus to be fully vaccinated, including to have received a booster shot (if eligible). The job responsibilities of this position will require time regularly spent on campus, and therefore the incumbent will be asked to follow the CCA vaccination requirement, unless an exemption is approved. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Location

San Francisco

Additional Locations

Application Instructions

Applicants are required to attach a cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Recommended document file formats are Word or PDF.  If there are multiple attachments, we recommend compressing/zipping your files into a zip format file. There is also a place in the application for you to provide a link to large documents. Please submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions.

Application Deadline

For staff positions, screening begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

EEO Statement

As an educational and cultural institution, California College of the Arts has a responsibility to provide access and opportunities for all people, with special attention to supporting groups historically underrepresented in higher education.

We believe that a culturally diverse campus is integral to academic excellence, and our student, faculty, staff, and trustee bodies should reflect the diverse world in which we live, with attention to race, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and ability.

California College of the Arts is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.

Questions?

Please address any questions to [email protected] .