Design Center Graduate Assistant

Barnard College•New York City, NY

3d•$32

About The Position

The Barnard College Design Center is seeking a part-time Graduate Assistant to support the Design Center’s service model, programming, and maintenance. This position will be central to supporting general tool and equipment use, helping with machine maintenance, supporting undergraduate student employees while on-shift, and assisting the Design Center Associate Director and Coordinator with providing instruction and workshops within the Center.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to work on a team in a collaborative environment.
Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree
Enrollment in a Graduate Degree program
Competencies in one or more of the following areas: intermediate to advanced sewing skills, textile artistry, hand or machine embroidery, 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking (with handheld tools or power tools), or experience programming arduinos/raspberry pis/wearable microcontrollers.
Proficient with one or more of the following software: Adobe Illustrator (Photoshop and/or InDesign is a plus, but not required); AutoCAD or Rhino, Tinkercad, or similar software.

Nice To Haves

Degree (or minor) in a design-adjacent subject area, such as architecture, urban planning, fashion design, engineering, or others.
At least 1 to 3 years of related work experience, or a combination of education and related experience.
Demonstrated experience providing technology or makerspace tool support to student, staff, or faculty communities.
Experience working in education, especially higher education.

Responsibilities

Provide front-facing support for Design Center users during designated “open-hour” periods, emphasizing safe and responsible tool-use throughout the space.
Monitor undergraduate staff members especially during weekends and evenings when full-time staff are not available.
Assist the Associate Director and Coordinator with training new student employees who are learning Center tools and equipment for the first time; supporting student employees while on-shift, should they run into troubleshooting issues or user questions they need help answering.
Ensure that the Design Center stays clean and organized. Some light cleaning tasks include sweeping, wiping down surfaces, rinsing out paint brushes and silk screens, etc.
Assist with unpacking and organizing deliveries of materials.
Assist with inventory and identifying materials in need of restocking.
Provide basic equipment maintenance as needs arise. (Examples include unclogging 3D printers, rethreading sewing machines, replacing drill bits.)
Communicate with the Coordinator when more significant machine maintenance needs are identified.
Assist with workshops including material preparations and co-teaching support as needed.
Support Undergraduate Design Assistants through guidance and feedback as they lead Safety Orientations and Getting Started Workshops .
Contribute to inclusive and welcoming makerspace shop culture, and help ensure that users adhere to similar practices when interacting with others throughout the space.
Assist the Associate Director and Coordinator in communications tasks including social media posts, event flyering, etc.
Additional job responsibilities and duties as needed