Student Assistant, Equipment Resource Center - Photography and Media Resources

The New School•Lowell, MA

31d•Onsite

About The Position

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks Student Assistants for the Photography Labs and Equipment Resource Center within the Making Center. The Making Center includes more than 70,000 square feet of labs, shops, studios, and open workspaces supporting making across a broad range of mediums and disciplines, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The student assistant contributes to the daily operation of these facilities by assisting students and faculty with equipment checkout and requests, monitoring making spaces, supporting managers and technicians with daily processes and projects, and keeping facilities clean and orderly. The role calls for a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who can learn new skills and technologies as needed. Depending on the assigned area, duties may include supporting darkroom and alternative process labs; operating scanning and printing equipment and helping users with digital files and output; or supporting equipment checkout, inspection, troubleshooting, inventory, and user guidance. The position is on campus and may involve non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends.

Requirements

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Close attention to detail and strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions from a supervisor and communicate clearly with Making Center users.
Ability to adapt and consistently notify the supervisor of schedule changes.
Ability to interact with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work without close supervision or alone.
Familiarity with Google Suite, including Calendar, Gmail, Docs, and Sheets.
Ability to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work non-traditional hours, such as evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and respectful shop culture.
Provide professional, positive customer service to students, faculty, and staff.
Arrive on time for shifts and review priority tasks with the supervisor.
Monitor patrons entering and leaving shop spaces and remain available to assist them.
Provide information about department services, policies, and procedures.
Greet visitors and answer phone calls professionally and courteously.
Assist students and faculty with reservations and equipment requests.
Assist Making Center staff with shop upkeep, organization, and maintenance.
In darkroom and alternative process labs, set up and maintain equipment, prepare photographic chemicals, keep spaces clean and organized, assist students with procedures, manage supplies, enforce safety protocols, troubleshoot issues, document processes, and potentially train new users and help with routine maintenance and repairs.
In print and scanning labs, set up and operate equipment, manage digital files, support file preparation and technical troubleshooting, maintain and calibrate equipment, manage paper, ink, and other supplies, keep the workspace organized, and guide students on lab procedures and equipment use.
In the Equipment Resource Center, support equipment setup, maintenance, and operation; use Webcheckout to manage checkouts and returns; conduct routine inspections; troubleshoot issues; keep equipment clean and working; track and restock inventory; explain equipment use; maintain a safe and efficient environment; and collaborate with technicians on daily operations and operational challenges.
Assist with maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of machinery.
Perform regular upkeep to keep shops and spaces organized and clean.
Complete special projects as assigned.
Participate in training sessions and staff meetings.