Makerspace Manager

Case Western Reserve University, United States

Updated: about 1 month ago
Location: Campus, ILLINOIS
Job Type: FullTime

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Makerspace Manager will work independently to recruit, train, directly supervise, and manage a large and diverse student technician team consisting of 30 to 40 individuals. This position will utilize fluency in the operation and application of a broad range of digital design and fabrication tools, and deep expertise in multiple maker technologies.

Student technicians are a key element of the Sears think[box] operational model. Consistent with the mission of think[box], student technicians serve as the first line of contact in comprehensively serving the campus community, regional nonprofits and corporate entities, and a wide range of individual users. Ensuring that the student technician team provides Sears think[box] users an environment where they can learn, refine, and utilize skills to achieve their desired goals in innovation, entrepreneurship, and making is crucial. This position will serve both sub-teams -- that of the prototyping floor (characterized by wide range of digitally-driven tools working in polymers, wood, fabrics, and electronics) and the fabrication floor (which includes engineering design, machining, welding, woodworking, working and stone, as well as assembly and surface finishing). In this position, the makerspace manager will use their depth of understanding and excellent communication skills to create and sustain effective teams that can effectively and efficiently operate in this complex environment.

Think[box] is used by more than 40 percent of Case Western Reserve University undergraduates, as well as a diverse set of graduate and professional students. Student users are in excess of 27,000 visits per semester, and total annual use is calculated to be well in excess of 100,000 visits per year. This large capacity operation is staffed by a large part-time student team. The makerspace manager must successfully operate a highly complex system capable of responding to variations in demand for facility use, unexpected disruptions, and competitive pressures on students’ time.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Manage Operations of Makerspace Student Technicians: Responsible for decisions associated with and management of student team scheduling for all open hours, programming, and training sessions. Provide support to ensure student technicians are able to understand and translate user objectives into technical goals, recommend appropriate machines or approaches to meeting those goals, assess user technical prowess and upskill as needed, and monitor user progress - intervening when appropriate. Understand and facilitate management of differing learning and communication styles. Independently initiate and maintain close communication with think[box] directors and managers to ensure appropriate support for courses, activities, and special events. Oversee student team projects, consultations and user communications. Conduct technician reviews inclusive of semi-annual formal review, supported by regular student technician check-ins through weekly staff meetings and/or proactively scheduled individual meetings. Approve all student time and ensure that hours are entered timely and accurately. (40%)
  • Building and Maintaining Culture: Analyze and document factors that contribute to and define work culture, team building, and effective coaching in the context of emerging student professionals. Schedule, plan and attend weekly team meetings with the student technician team, and assess individual and group progress. Plan and provide team bonding experiences in order to foster community. Ensure accountability and engagement through regular communication via multiple platforms. (25%)
  • Ensure a Safe Environment: Responsible for regular review of policies related to machine location, maintenance, and workflow. Responsible for review of policies related to safety training requirements, behavior policies, and disciplinary guidelines. Work with the operations engineer to implement and maintain a robust information communication infrastructure on the think[box] website entailing machinery lists, capabilities, training materials, and scheduling information. Conducting and assessing announced and unannounced training drills. (15%)
  • Annually Recruit and Train Makerspace Student Staff: Plan and execute training week in collaboration with makerspace staff. Maintain digital platforms and training materials used during onboarding of new student technicians. Create and advertise recruitment materials. Attend career fairs, informational sessions, and general outreach to promote job opportunities to a diverse population. Lead the application review and candidate selection process. Manage interview process. Complete hiring forms and ensure compliance with university policies and applicable regulations. (15%)

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    NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

    Assist with day-to-day Sears think[box] operations. Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

     

    CONTACTS

    Department: Continuous interaction with Sears think[box]directors, staff, faculty, and student technicians to exchange information.

    University: Regular interaction with school and college deans, government and foundation relations, corporate relations and strategic projects, department and program chairs, faculty members, and staff to exchange information.

    External: Moderate contact with alumni, potential donors, local companies, potential clients, local K-12 educators and students to exchange information.

    Student Users: Frequent interaction with undergraduate students, graduate students, high school students and middle school students, to exchange information.

     

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

    Supervise two technician teams of sixteen each; made up of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Institute of Art students selected for a wide range of backgrounds and strengths.

     

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience or High School education and 6 years of experience. Experience supervising and/or instructing a large and diverse team. Prior makerspace and/or shop experience required. 2D to 3D design experience required.

     

    REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Ability to engage and motivate students from differing backgrounds.
  • Ability to manage complex and dynamic schedules.
  • System design and analysis experience.
  • Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
  • Strong administrative software skills.
  • Quantitative and qualitative assessment skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills paired with a collaborative work style in a team-based environment.
  • A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.
  • Excellent organizational skills. Open to direction and a commitment to get the job done.
  • Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  • Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
  • Experience working with makerspace equipment.
  • Must be an effective problem-solver and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

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    WORKING CONDITIONS

    Will require evening and weekend work. General office environment and could involve some lifting of common office supplies, storage, retrieval of items, or re-arranging of space. This position is not eligible for the staff hybrid work program.

    In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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    Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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