Technical Assistant III, Apparel Design

Rhode Island School of Design•Providence, RI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Technical Assistant III to join the Apparel Design Department. The position instructs faculty, students, and others in the safe and proper use of machinery, equipment, supplies, and facility procedures; provides technical advice and guidance on student projects; and researches, designs, develops, implements, and maintains the technical equipment and materials needed by the department. The role maintains and troubleshoots machinery and equipment, coordinates repairs and facility improvements, and supports department events and presentations of student work. It recruits, trains, schedules, supervises, and supports work-study students, emphasizing safety and proper equipment care. The position also provides instructional and technical support to faculty and students and supports the department computer lab in coordination with Information Technology Services (ITS), including hardware, software, equipment, policies, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The Technical Assistant III researches, evaluates, recommends, and purchases equipment and upgrades; maintains supply inventories; oversees related capital expenditures and monitor coverage within the allocated budget; and develops improvements to facilities, machinery, tools, and safety procedures. The role helps ensure compliance with applicable environmental health and safety regulations and serves as a liaison with RISD departments and external vendors on facilities, equipment, and EHS matters. The position supervises work-study students and is performed on campus in a studio environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least four years of practical or relevant work experience in art and design disciplines and associated technologies, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of and genuine interest in garment, textile, and accessory manufacturing processes at artisanal and/or industrial levels.
Knowledge of machinery and technology used in relation to Apparel and Fashion materials.
Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
Ability to lead others.
Applied knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations and requirements.
Previous vendor management and/or vendor relations experience.
Demonstrated budgeting skills.
Commitment to supporting an inclusive work environment and ability to work respectfully and effectively across differences in background, role, and perspective.

Responsibilities

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair shop machinery and department-related equipment in departmental rooms, centers, and shared facilities.
Research outside vendors and coordinate consultations, repairs, upgrades, and estimates for facility maintenance and improvements.
Assist with critiques, the annual Apparel Collection runway show, Crit Jury, the Woods-Gerry Triennial exhibition, and other department events.
Plan and coordinate spaces and equipment for student-work presentations in conjunction with the Apparel Department Head.
Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and support work-study students and oversee their work, with emphasis on safety and quality.
Train students in equipment, tool, and material operation, handling, and care, as well as basic EPA standards and access to first aid education.
Instruct and assist faculty, students, visiting critics, and others in the safe use of equipment, machinery, supplies, and facility procedures.
Advise students and provide technical support and guidance on their projects.
Work with ITS to support the Canal Street Studios Computer Lab and its computers, scanners, and printers.
Coordinate hardware setup and software installation with ITS; work with faculty and ITS to identify specifications, prices, and licensing.
Research, recommend, and purchase apparel-specific equipment, peripherals, and software.
Develop, recommend, publish, and communicate policies and procedures for secure and efficient computer lab operation and maintenance.
Maintain, repair, and troubleshoot computers and related equipment promptly to keep classes on schedule; serve as the principal liaison with ITS.
Identify, research, evaluate, recommend, and purchase equipment, features, and upgrades that support the educational curriculum.
Suggest facility, equipment, and tool improvements; maintain supply inventory; and oversee allocated capital expenditures and monitor coverage.
Research and develop improvements to departmental facilities, machines, equipment, tools, and safety procedures.
Coordinate with the departmental supervisor to prioritize specialized equipment, unique projects, and new procedures.
Help ensure compliance with RISD, Rhode Island, and federal environmental and safety requirements, including EPA, RI DEM, Narragansett Bay Commission, and OSHA regulations.
Serve as a principal liaison between the Apparel Department and RISD Environmental Health & Safety, and as a principal liaison with Academic Affairs and Public Safety on Apparel facilities and equipment.
Instruct and assist department members and visitors in implementing and complying with the RISD ARTS model.