School of Art Seeks Part-Time Fabrication Shop Technician

The Yale School of Art Fabrication Shop is seeking a part-time shop technician to work 20 hours per week starting in June/July 2024.

The Fabrication Shops include a 6100 sq ft wood and metalworking space at 36 Edgewood and a satellite 300 sq ft finishing shop at 353 Crown St that support both graduate and undergraduate student work.

The technician should be personable, inclusive, and a strong collaborator to best support a diverse student body making experimental work. They will work closely with both the shop managers and student shop monitors to staff and maintain safe, clean, functional, and respectful workspaces. The technician will also train, support, and supervise graduate and undergraduate students on safe machine use.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the safety and cleanliness of wood and metal shop equipment and workspaces.

• Maintain machines and equipment to make sure all are in working order, including but not limited to changing saw blades and sanding belts/discs and greasing machines.

• Collaborate with Shop Managers to offer mandatory training sessions for all incoming graduate MFA students. Training includes the safe usage of both wood and metal areas. Provide hands-on support to graduate and undergraduate students of varying levels of fabrication experience during preparation for weekly critiques, thesis exhibitions, and final reviews.

• Directly supervise the use of specific high-risk machines including the table saw, jointer, planer, router table, lathe, and sandblaster.

• Delegate tasks for daily shop upkeep to graduate student shop monitors including cleaning and organizing tools and space.

• Organize the shop by tracking inventory, providing Shop Manager with weekly supply orders, restocking materials as needed, and general upkeep.

• Open and close the shop as needed, including turning on power, opening access, organizing and returning misplaced tools, shutting off power, and securing all doors.

• Perform light administrative tasks, such as circulating staffing schedules and shop hours.

• Undergo First Aid/AED/CPR training in the first month of employment and work with shop staff to respond in the event of an emergency.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree

• 3 years sculpture or fabrication experience including wood and metal

• Basic wood and metal tool maintenance experience

• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that include nights and weekends during the academic year in addition to schedule shifts with semester changes

• Ability to perform manual labor including loading and unloading tools and materials occasionally up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience as an educator in a shop environment

• Experience working with artists in a university environment

• Experience with CNC tools

To Apply:

For full consideration, please send a resume, cover letter, and two images of completed fabrication projects to fabshop@yale.edu

Open until filled