Woodshop Manager

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

5d•$46,200

About The Position

The Woodshop Manager oversees daily operations, safety, and instructional support of the construction lab at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning within the College of the Arts & Architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. This role ensures that students, faculty, and staff have a safe, well-maintained, and fully equipped environment for creative work, research, and fabrication. While the manager may supervise and mentor student shop assistants, the primary responsibilities, decisions, and accountability for the shop rest with this position. This position reports directly to the Director of Facilities for the College of the Arts & Architecture.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in architecture or a related field (e.g., Fine Arts, Industrial Design, or similar discipline) or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated proficiency with woodworking tools and machinery, including CNC routers, SawStop table saws, bandsaws, jointers, planers, and sanders.
Knowledge of a broad range of construction, joinery, and finishing techniques.
Strong commitment to safety, training, and community building in an educational environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in architecture or a related field (e.g., Fine Arts, Industrial Design, or similar discipline) or equivalent professional experience.
Experience working in higher education, especially in arts, design, or architecture programs.
Knowledge of digital fabrication workflows, including CAD/CAM software for CNC operations.
Certification in shop safety or occupational safety and health.
Understanding of first aid, CPR, and emergency safety procedures.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations of the academic wood shop and nearby fabrication areas.
Enforce safety protocols and train students, staff, and faculty on proper tool use, including CNC routers, SawStop table saws, bandsaws, jointers, planers, sanders, and other woodworking equipment.
Ensure compliance with university safety standards and OSHA regulations.
Perform regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and safety checks.
Provide occasional demonstrations in the shop and offer technical guidance to students on a wide range of woodworking and finishing techniques as needed.
Advise on material selection, construction methods, and finishing processes.
Supervise maintenance, repair, and calibration of equipment, including CNC machines, SawStop table saws, hand tools, and dust collection systems.
Create and enforce shop use policies, scheduling, and orientation procedures.
Organize and maintain the lab workspace in a clear and orderly fashion.
Keep track of supply inventory, order materials, and monitor usage for budget planning.
Serve as the primary authority and responsible manager for all shop operations.
Recruit, train, and supervise student shop assistants to support monitoring and routine shop tasks as needed.
Ensure that student assistants understand their supportive role, with the manager maintaining full responsibility for shop functions and safety.
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Ensures compliance with established policies and procedures
Develops, directs, schedules, and secures resources for operational assignments and special projects in technical areas of laboratory testing
Participates in professional meetings and conferences
Develops, directs, and evaluates laboratory studies, methods, and protocols to ensure quality control, quality assurance, and maintain Standard Operation Procedures (SOP)
Identifies new and applicable techniques and procedures