Visiting Creative Technologist and Makerspace Manager (1 YR, Temporary)

Berea College • Berea, KY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a temporary, full-time, one-year position. The Visiting Creative Technologist and Makerspace Manager is a visiting position for candidates with a clear vision for engaging the Berea College campus community in multi-disciplinary technology-driven exploration and creative expression. This position includes managing the Dr. Ann Evans Hon. ’23 and Carl Evans Fd. ’62 Makerspace in the brand new CMIT Building, supporting student maker communities on campus, and collaborating with faculty and staff on innovative technology-integrated curricular enrichment. As an interim makerspace manager, this person is responsible for the daily operations of the makerspace and ensuring a safe, inclusive, accessible, and student-centered environment. The BC Makerspace is a large multi-function studio space, with a rand of desktop fabrication equipment and materials such as 3D printers, laser engraver, vinyl cutters, and sewing machines; as well as a project space for the “Ratfight” FIRST robotics team. The Creative Technologist and Makerspace Manager also acts as a key collaboratior with faculty and staff in Experiential Learning initiatives on campus by supporting curricular and scholarly projects, offering regular equipment workshops, and introducing unique possibilities based on the candidate’s expertise and interests. The role involves undergraduate student supervision within the labor program, guiding 3-4 part-time student workers in a technical peer support, project advising, and maintaining lab procedures and safety protocols. Ideal candidates are excited to work in a dynamic learning environment and motivated by student success. Following long-standing tradition and practice at Berea College, this position includes responsibility for supervising, mentoring, and developing students in the College's integrated Work College Program. This supports student learning, career readiness, and the program's learning goals and outcomes. The Work College Program provides a developmental framework that guides student learning while creating a structured mentorship opportunity, with role-specific training that equips faculty and staff mentors to support student development. Faculty and staff mentors play an essential part in helping students connect their work-learning-service experiences with broader academic, professional, and personal development. For faculty, this aligns with Berea's tenure and promotion criteria.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a computing, art/design, or engineering related disciplin
• Minimum of three (3) years of directly related experience in makerspace management, digital fabrication, STEM/STEAM education, innovation lab management, or a related field
• Using and maintaining desktop fabrication and CNC equipment, especially 3D printers
• Developing relevant digital fabrication workshops or maker education curriculum enrichment (K-12 or adult)
• Working independently in proactive, service-oriented positions
• Collaborating on multi-disciplinary “STEAM” (science, technology, engineering, art, math) projects
• Supervising adults in a work setting
• Proficient in desktop and mobile computing, and familiar with classroom technologies (projector, document camera)
• Prior lab or studio management experience, especially in a makerspace
• Detailed inventory management, including organizing materials, tracking supply usage, and purchasing
• Familiarity with makerspaces or student-driven innovation spaces, especially in academic (school/library) contexts
• CAD modeling and 3D design software (Inventor, Tinkercad, OnShape)
• FDM 3D printer operation (Bambu, Creality, Flashforge), including limitations and sustainable design
• 2D design or illustration software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Inkscape)
• Practical knowledge of programming languages (Arduino, Processing, Python, Javascript), hobby electronics (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, various sensors/actuators), and resources for digital and physical creative coding applications
• Understanding material and process selection for various fabrication needs and product design
• Flexibility to meet and support people at varying levels of experience and comfort to accomplish creative vision
• Project management, including scheduling, tracking personnel time & effort, and managing a budget
• Adept using multiple operating systems (Window, Mac OS, Linux), cloud storage solutions (Google Drive Box), and working in an enterprise network environment
• Must be able to pass background check to work with minors
• Dexterity to manipulate fine pieces of equipment (in machine maintenance, repair, or training scenarios)
• Lifting light loads (10-30 lbs)

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Computing, Art/Design, or Engineering related discipline, or STEM pedagogy
• Additional art, design, craft, or technical skills to offer unique creative technology experience to students, staff, faculty
• Human-centered design, especially with focus in accessibility, culturally responsive pedagogy, or trauma-informed teaching, and sustainability
• Willing to complete OSHA training
• Opportunity to study towards Green Belt certification

Responsibilities

• Directly oversee and train makerspace users on the safe use of tools and equipment
• Organize and maintain physical materials supply and digital inventory
• Efficiently operate, debug, repair, and maintain existing desktop fabrication equipment
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with multiple space users, including student managers, staff, and faculty reserving the studio and classroom space
• Keep accurate records of makerspace space, equipment, and material usage
• Proactively identify emerging issues (technical, social, procedural) and work to resolve them in a timely and respectful manger
• Maintain student-centered working hours that enable safe access to the makerspace and adequate supervision of student workers
• Identify or create opportunities for academic collaboration across campus
• Train, supervise, and mentor undergraduate student workers to gain confidence and competency
• Lead or collaborate on a multi-disciplinary creative technology project based on candidate expertise and interest

Benefits

• No-tuition promise for students (though this is a benefit for students, not employees)
• Access to makerspace equipment and materials
• Professional development opportunities through Work College Program training
• Opportunity to study towards Green Belt certification

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level