Departmental Assistant - Makerspace

Job no: 516176
Work type: Hourly
Location: UMass Amherst, Mt. Ida - Newton
Department: VC Admin & Finance Office
Union: Non-Benefited
Categories: Laboratory & Research, Temporary Non-Benefited

About UMass Amherst - Mount Ida Campus

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst is located in Newton, MA adjacent to the Newton-Needham Innovation District, and the tech-focused Route 128 corridor. At Mount Ida, UMass Amherst offers an array of experiential learning opportunities to its undergraduate students, as well as a growing number of graduate and professional degree programs. The campus is growing its undergraduate career development programs with expanded access to internships and co-ops in the thriving Greater Boston area.

Job Summary

The Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst is seeking an innovative leader and educator to develop and lead a Newton, MA-based Makerspace and digital fabrication skills program. The position will report to the Mount Ida Campus Director while receiving functional support from the Amherst Campus Maker leadership. The work will involve building and maintaining Makerspace modules to support academic programs, create, and executing certificate-based industrial and digital fabrication skills training modules as well as being an ambassador for campus innovation and community engagement.

This position will work with students, employees and campus professionals to provide opportunities around experiential learning and engage with UMass Amherst faculty and lab PIs to provide a resource that align with academic mission and the strategic goals of the Mount Ida Campus.

Essential Functions

• Manage day to day makerspace operations, employing and training students where possible.
• Act as shop supervisor to manage risk and guide training.
• Create and grow a culture that embraces innovation and shared workspace responsibility.
• Work to establish and build the program that includes courses and certification trainings in 2D and 3D fabrication and seminars and events for professionals and the community.
• Constantly improve process and program by researching, prototyping, and iterating new ideas and concepts.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• B.A./B.S. or four (4) years experience in lieu of degree.
• Knowledge and understanding of digital fabrication workflows (CAM and CAD for 3D printing).
• Experience with Rapid Prototyping and ideation stage design using design thinking.
• Work with confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• M.A./M.S.
• Licenses and Certification: hardware and 3D Design (Solidworks or Autodesk).

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Balancing, climbing, carrying, driving, pulling/pushing, reaching, sitting, standing, bending and lifting.
• Ability to travel to other campuses.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday; some nights and weekends.
• 40hours/week

Salary Information

$40.00/hr.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please complete online application, submit resume and contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.