Instructional Support Technician - Art & Art History

University at Albany•Albany, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Art and Art History at the University at Albany, SUNY, within the College of Arts and Sciences is a dynamic and interdisciplinary department that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Studio Art and Art History. The department is committed to excellence in creative practice, scholarly research, and innovative teaching, fostering critical inquiry, artistic experimentation, and engagement with diverse historical and contemporary visual cultures. Faculty and students benefit from a collaborative environment that supports interdisciplinary work, experiential learning, exhibitions, internships, and community engagement while preparing graduates for careers in the arts, education, museums, galleries, design, and related fields. The College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Albany, SUNY, is a diverse and vibrant community of exceptional scholars committed to excellence in the pursuit of knowledge, both for its own sake and in service to society. As the University's largest academic unit, the College spans 20 academic departments and 12 Institutes and Centers, in addition to the UAlbany in the High School Program and the Performing Arts Center and serves as the intellectual core of the University's teaching and research mission. The College encompasses the Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Social Sciences, providing the liberal arts foundation for a UAlbany education and supporting a broad portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs. Through its programs, students explore complex ideas and pressing societal challenges; develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and creativity; investigate the natural world; and cultivate the intellectual flexibility needed to be engaged local and global citizens. Faculty across the College are active researchers and scholars, affording students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary inquiry, and experiential learning within a collaborative and intellectually rich environment. The Instructional Support Technician at the Boor Sculpture Stdio provides comprehensive instructional, technical, operational, and facilities support for the Boor Sculpture Studio, ensuring that sculpture classrooms, studios, equipment, materials, and specialized work areas are safe, functional, and ready for student and faculty use. This position supports teaching and technical instruction in sculpture processes, including woodworking, metal fabrication, welding, foundry work, moldmaking, and related safety practices; maintains and repairs tools, machinery, kilns, ventilation systems, and other specialized equipment; coordinates material purchasing, surplus property, deliveries, and asset management; and serves as building manager by coordinating access, maintenance requests, fire drills, health and safety compliance, and communication with campus offices. The role also includes end-of-semester and summer preparation of instructional spaces and exhibition-related areas, support for special projects, and ongoing stewardship of the building, equipment, and materials essential to the sculpture program.

Requirements

Knowledge of academic studio art production facilities and techniques, including health and safety protocols.
Ability to work well in a collaborative environment.
Artistic production skills including but not limited to: casting, welding (gas + arc), woodworking, metal fabrication, digital modeling and fabrication.
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.
Bachelor's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
2 - 3 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Woodworking, metal fabrication (welding, foundry), digital fabrication (3-D printing, laser-cutting), sculpture tools and equipment maintenance, inventory purchasing and management.

Nice To Haves

2 to 3 years of experience in managing laboratory/classrooms/studio facilities
MFA or Master's degree in Art or related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.

Responsibilities

Provide support to faculty for in-class lab/studio work and supervise students during open lab hours.
Provide guidance to students on the use of equipment and tools.
Provide advice and instruction in use of equipment, materials, etc.
Maintain and oversee high standards of safety in all facilities in the Boor Sculpture Studio consistent with University and Department policies and protocols.
Maintain, monitor, and prepare laboratory/classrooms/studio facilities in the Boor Sculpture Studio to ensure that they are safe, functional, and ready for instructional and project use. These facilities currently include but are not limited to: Boor Digital Media Suite, 3D Digital Fabrication Lab, Wood Shop, Metal Shop (incl. gas and arc welding equipment and Foundry, 3D Design Classroom, Intermediate and Advance Sculpture Classrooms, All Purpose (exhibition) Room, Hallway Gallery, and Window Gallery.
Serve as the Boor Sculpture Studio Building Manager.
Liaison and coordinate with the CAS Dean's Office, ITS, Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Management, and other campus units regarding facility, equipment, and safety matters and maintain effective and professional communication with department faculty and students, as appropriate, regarding these matters.
Coordinate MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) record-keeping (where necessary) and OSHA compliance with area faculty and Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
Manage and facilitate building access in collaboration with the ID Card Office.
Manage all materials, supplies, and equipment.
Manage the purchasing for the Boor Sculpture Studio in coordination with the Head of Sculpture and Department Chair.
Maintain inventory, supplies equipment and tools, including purchasing, storing, and tracking these items.
Work with Office of Asset Management to properly log equipment and oversee inventory audits.
Facilitate repairs and service of all equipment, including but not limited to: power tools, woodworking, welding, foundry and metalworking equipment; air compressors, spray booths, forklift, kilns; as well as computing equipment such as computers, scanners, printers, tablets, cameras, and other input/output devices that are not supported by ITS.
Oversee and facilitate the transfer and moving of equipment, as needed.
Other reasonable duties as assigned