Upper School - I-Lab Shop Manager
About The Position
The Nueva School seeks a collaborative, hands-on, and creative I-Lab Shop Manager to support our Upper School (grades 9-12) Innovation Lab. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working alongside students as they design, prototype, and create, serving as a “guide on the side” in a dynamic, student-centered environment. As a Shop Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining a safe, inclusive, and inspiring maker space while supporting a multidisciplinary team of educators. You will be part of the core team responsible for both the physical I-Lab spaces and the culture within them—ensuring students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to bring their ideas to life. While this role is a .80 FTE, it is benefits-eligible and aligned with full-time roles at Nueva, with a typical daily schedule of approximately six hours. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values. Your day may begin by introducing a student to a tool, such as a scroll saw or a laser cutter. Later, you might partner with colleagues to support a class designing and sewing costumes, assist another group prototyping puzzle boxes, or guide a student through an independent jewelry project. Throughout the day, you collaborate with faculty, troubleshoot projects, and support students at varying levels of experience. You may also spend time organizing materials, maintaining tools, and ensuring the shop remains a safe and welcoming space.
Requirements
- Commitment to safety, inclusion, and respectful community practices
- Strong collaboration and adaptability to a dynamic learning environment
- Profound openness to feedback and commitment to improve as an educator
Nice To Haves
- Experience across fabrication domains (e.g., woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, 3D printing, textiles, CAD/CAM, CNC, electronics, robotics)
- Expertise in design, engineering, and making
- Experience working with students or young people
- Ability to explain concepts to learners at different skill levels and providing students with diverse entry points
- Familiarity with design thinking
- Ability to guide student projects while maintaining student ownership
- Passion and curiosity for hands-on problem-solving and enthusiasm for continuous learning
Responsibilities
- Supervise safe use of I-Lab shops, including tool training and enforcing safety protocols
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment
- Support students in class, independent, and extracurricular projects
- Assist with after-school programs (e.g., robotics, invention studio), including occasional evenings/weekends
- Partner with faculty to support class projects
- Support faculty across disciplines in using I-Lab spaces
- Assist with design engineering classes as well as interdisciplinary projects in other disciplines
- Work with students in individual and small group settings
- Maintain tools, equipment, and shop spaces; collaborate with Facilities as needed
- Design systems to keep spaces organized and user-friendly
- Manage and supervise our crew of student shop assistants during “intern week” at the end and start of school year
- Manage inventory and optimize materials and storage
- Model curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning
- Contribute to a positive team culture
- Support Nueva’s mission and student experience
- Perform other duties as assigned
Benefits
- fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees, employer contributions toward dependent premiums, a generous 403(b) retirement plan match, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and daily lunch
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
