Pratt Institute is seeking candidates for a full-time Technician position within the School of Design’s Production Labs. Reporting to the Director of Production Labs, the Technician will support the day-to-day operations of the School of Design Shop, a diverse educational fabrication facility serving the School’s curricular need, with occasional support in other labs as needed. The Technician is a highly motivated educator and maker, with expertise in traditional woodworking experience and some experience operating digital rapid prototyping technology, including CNC milling, laser cutting, and 3D printing. The technician will join an interdisciplinary team committed to fostering a safe, innovative, and robust culture of making, and will provide students and faculty with practical technical support that will guide their practice in and beyond their time at Pratt.
This is an OPEIU Local 153 Technical Position On a typical day, you will be required to:
- Oversee the safe operation, set-up, inspection, and maintenance of equipment and tools, performing troubleshooting relating to the repair and installation for shop equipment and technologies.
- Supervise daily student and faculty work in the shop and its related satellite resources, providing technical guidance and support for faculty teaching in the shop.
- Hire, train, and supervise student employees in the safe handling and basic operation of shop equipment and tools.
- Support the Production Lab’s delivery of non-credit instruction, conducting shop safety certifications, and participating in workshop coordination and development.
- Collaborate with the department head in developing and implementing training materials, procedures, policies, and services to be used by student employees, student users, and staff and faculty working in the shop.
- Support the continuous improvement of resources and facilities, performing research and making recommendations to keep current with technological developments within the field.
- About Pratt Institute:
Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The Institute’s impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, PrattMWP College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Another extension of Pratt’s campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).
Since its founding in 1887, Pratt has prioritized diversity and inclusion, welcoming students from all walks of life while developing and sustaining pathways to more equitable workplaces and careers.
Pratt and its exceptional faculty pride themselves on being academically excellent as well as leaders in both in-person and online learning. Pratt students are part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary, research- and inquiry-based education that prepares them for success in creative fields and professional practice. With a long-held commitment to the communities of New York, Pratt partners locally through the Pratt Center for Community Development to work for a more just city. The Institute also offers a variety of programs for local pre-college and continuing education students in the Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K-12 and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Additionally, Pratt partnered with Bank Street College of Education and the NYC Department of Education to develop and launch a new public high school situated in downtown Brooklyn dedicated to design and social justice, Design Works High School, opening in fall 2023.
An expanded version of the job will be shared if you are selected for an interview.
SALARY is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The salary range for
this position is $59,000-$67,000. The position will be onsite 5 days/wk.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience required. Preference will be given to candidates with a relevant certificate of fitness or safety license. Experience: Minimum of five years related experience working in a shop or fabrication environment. Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience working with student employees in a supervisory capacity.
Skills: Thorough knowledge of a wide range of tools and fabrication techniques in wood, metal, plastic, and foam, and expertise in at least one of the following: woodworking, cold forming of metals, plastic modeling, and casting, and application of finishes. Preference will be given to candidates with some previous experience in rapid prototyping with at least one of the following: laser cutting, CNC milling, and 3D printing. Preference will be given to candidates with an understanding of health and safety regulations. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population of students and staff and demonstrate intercultural competence. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently, while also working collaboratively in a team environment.
Other: Occasional weekend work during spring and fall semesters. Occasional overtime may be required at the end of each semester
Application Instructions
- Please submit your cover letter and resume.
- If you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to provide at least 5 References via our online reference tool system. At least 2 of your references must be, or have been, your direct managers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.