Technician, Sewing and Soft Construction

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POSITION TITLE

Full Time Technician, Sewing and Soft Construction

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Sewing and Soft Construction for the Making Center. Parsons Making Center is a collection of more than 70,000 sq. ft. of labs, shops, studios, and open workspaces that provide curricular support for making across a broad range of mediums and disciplines and supports experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.  The Technician should be a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who will become integral to the daily workings of the facilities within the Making Center, with the ability to learn new skills and technologies as needed.  This is a fast-paced dynamic environment that runs year-round. The Technician will interface with students and faculty daily and work with Making Center staff to support multiple processes and resources for all users in a range of making spaces including the sewing, shoemaking, tool checkout, and soft construction facilities. 

This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters union contract, that reports to the Facilities Manager of Sewing, Textiles, and Soft Construction.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment and uphold a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.

• Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, continuous operation and support for a variety of hardware/software and technologies.

• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:

• Assist faculty and students.

• Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.

• Make hardware/software purchase and process recommendations.

• Create web page content.

• Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.

• Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff, through peer to peer trainings and skills sharing.

• Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.

• Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas

• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned.

• Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.

• Oversee tool and equipment checkout for both in-shop/lab use and off-site special requests.

• Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.

• Assist with facility improvement projects, and special Making Center, program, school or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.

• Adapt to changes in the work environment; adjust approach and prioritizes competing demands as necessary.

• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff. 

• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment with productive and positive workplace relationships.

• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.

• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's Degree and/or 3 years relevant or professional experience within the industry.

• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to schedule shifts with semester changes.

• Completion of university required staff trainings and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.

• Become proficient in WebCheckout or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.

• Knowledge of industrial sewing and soft construction techniques, finishing, and troubleshooting for traditional garment and accessory construction, as well as experimental projects.

• Technical knowledge of a variety of industrial sewing techniques including experience with Juki straight stitch and overedge machines, especially overlock, serger, and purl.  

• Confidence in threading and using industrial plainstitch & serger.

• Mechanical understanding, with a strong desire to learn how to troubleshoot and maintain several different types of industrial machines for repair and maintenance purposes. 

• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Drive.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities.

• Strong ability to assist students working in an interdisciplinary and/or experimental manner from concept to fabrication.

• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.

• Ability to handle objects weighing up to 25 lbs and on occasion may be expected to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs 

• Ability to adhere to University COVID-19 Policy and requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems a plus. 

• Experience with large-scale hardware and software deployments a plus.

• Experience with coverstitch, flatlock, and post machines; cylindrical and flatbed walking foot machines; ultrasonic welding machines; antique machines; shoe-construction machines; and leather or fur machines a plus.

• Experience with upholstery, digital embroidery, knitting machines, floor looms, natural dying, screen printing, and/or other textile and fiber art processes a plus.

• Experience assessing breakage and fixing machines a plus.

WORK MODE

• On-Campus Position - Employees in this position are expected to work on-campus during regularly scheduled work hours due to the nature of the work being that which is not feasible, or not in the best interest of the organization, to be performed remotely.

SALARY RANGE: $26.89 / hour

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

For full consideration, please include a Resume and Cover Letter in your application

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

We look forward to receiving your application