Working Title: Digital Design and Fabrication Technician (10-Month Position)

State Role Title: Media Specialist II

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Department: 100005 - Art Design and Art History

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $32,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 09/17/2024

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Digital Design and Fabrication Assistant Manager will assist the Digital Design and Fabrication Manager and will work with design students and faculty to facilitate projects, prototypes, architectural models, and objects in wood, metal, concrete, plastic, and more using traditional and computer-aided equipment. The Assistant Manager will assist and work with the Digital Design and Fabrication Manager, the Duke Hall Wood Shop Managers, and Risk Management to reinforce SADAH and JMU safety protocols for shops. This is an excellent opportunity for a person with experience in custom fabrication, furniture, model-making, mold-making, and/or new product development.

We welcome candidates who are eager to be part of a collaborative community that not only values independent thought and creativity but also celebrates the diversity of cultural expression and promotes excellence in the making process. This role is an opportunity to work in an academic environment that fosters these qualities.

This full-time,10-month position has a recurring rest period from June 10 to August 9 each year. This position is paid over 12 months.

Duties and Responsibilities:

•Assist in managing the operations and schedules for the digital and fabrication areas in the Studio Center, including the wood shop, metal shop, and all fabrication areas.
•Assist students and faculty with projects, techniques, and safe use of equipment.
•Assist in establishing and maintaining safety protocols for using all tools and equipment.
•Train and supervise student workers and shop assistants.
•Provide safety training for students and faculty.
•Reinforce high standards for design, craftsmanship, thoroughness, and efficiency.
•Complete regular documented safety inspections in shops.
•Stay up-to-date with technology, software, materials, and manufacturing processes as needed.
•Additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned by the Manager and/or School Director.
•Maintain, manage, and repair equipment.
•Assist with gallery and student exhibition events as requested.
•Serve on committees as requested.
•Assist with other school-related projects or programs as needed.

Qualifications:

•Demonstrated ability to operate mechanical tools and equipment in various work spaces including Woodshop, Metals Fabrication, and/or other Fabrication spaces.
•Demonstrated ability in the safe use of shop equipment for fabrication techniques in wood, metal, plastics, and other materials.
•Demonstrated ability to operate, evaluate, and perform maintenance on tools and equipment.
•Willingness and interest in learning new skills, techniques and technologies to better support student and faculty projects.
•Experience in 2D/3D CAD/CAM fabrication technologies, software (preferably) Rhino and Adobe Illustrator implementation, including CNC router, laser cutter, and 3D printing.
•Experience managing multiple projects, spaces, and people simultaneously.
•Interpersonal skills to work and communicate independently, within a team, and with faculty, staff, and students.
•Experience with word processing and record keeping, and possess excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including an ability to work within a diverse community.
•Previous completion of OSHA 30-hour training, or previous experience in safety compliance combined with the ability to complete OSHA 30-hour training within one year of start date.

Additional Considerations:
•Previous managing experience in industry and/or higher education in related fields.
•Familiarity with higher education studio and design pedagogy in a university-level teaching environment.
•Artistic and Design professional practice.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.