Technical Assistant III, RISD Illustration

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design seeks a Technical Assistant III to join its Illustration Department. The department offers students a broad-based curriculum aimed at bringing forth dynamic and evocative message-making. Illustration explores the poetic relationship between ideas and images to encourage the most eloquent and incisive pictorial solutions to visual communication problems. Our students are diverse, coming from a wide range of geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds, representing all forms of diversity. We seek a culturally competent candidate whose professional practice aligns with the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

The Technical Assistant III trains and assists faculty and students in the safe and proper use of department machinery, general equipment, safety equipment, and supplies. The successful candidate applies relevant knowledge to the maintenance and repair of complicated and varied technical equipment used in the Illustration Department. The position also provides advice and guidance on the technical parameters of student projects and manages work-study students employed in departmental shops. Additional responsibilities include installing several professional exhibits in the Illustration Studies Building (ISB) Gallery annually, scheduling and facilitating the cycle of senior group shows.

Essential Functions

• Achieves appropriate competence-level regarding the Illustration Department’s health, safety, and hazardous waste management issues. Trains and assists faculty and students in the implementation of the EPA’s hazardous materials standards, and in general operation at optimum safety levels. Required to use appropriate safety equipment. Maintains ‘Right-To-Know’ stations. Reports repeated violations to office of EHS. Assists coordinator in the distribution and collection of studio use agreements. Responsible for enforcing the terms outlined in the agreement.
  
  
• Maintains all illustration, painting, and related equipment and machinery in all locations in a neat and orderly manner. Completes physical setup of tools, materials, and spaces for classes and preparation of multi-use rooms. Performs preventative maintenance to – and minor repairs on – machinery and equipment as required, such as scheduled inspection, lubrication, and cleaning. Inspects, repairs, and maintains electromechanical paintbrush cleaning stations. Arranges with outside vendors for repairs that cannot be done in the department.
  
  
• Trains and assists faculty, students, and others in the proper use of machinery, safety equipment, and supplies, and in following safety procedures.
  
  
• Hires, trains and supervises Illustration department shop monitors with an emphasis on safety. Schedules full shop coverage with well-trained monitors.
  
  
• Provides advice and guidance on the technical parameters of student projects.
  
  
• Researches and suggests improvements to – or modifications of – the facility, machines, equipment, materials, and tools.
  
  
• Designs and/or constructs specialized equipment or unique models as requested by faculty, department heads, or deans.
  
  
• Designs and/or oversees installations in the Illustration gallery. Hires, trains, schedules, and supervises student installation assistants. Designs and facilitates graphic communications for gallery exhibitions.
  
  
• Orders supplies, maintains proper inventory levels, and monitors departmental expenditures in consultation with the department head. Maintains system to check-in and check-out equipment and supplies.
  
  

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate technical discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience. Four to six years practical experience in the illustration and/or painting field with an ability to envision and manage the installation of gallery displays. Ability to stay current with applicable new developments and emerging technologies, techniques, artists/practitioners, and trends in contemporary art. Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Understanding of environmental health and safety issues as they relate to illustration, illustration materials, and studio equipment. Basic woodworking skills and proficiency with power and hand tools used in ISB shop. Proficient in Microsoft Excel. Ability to track, monitor and forecast inventory and budgetary needs. No prior teaching required.

Union:
Yes

Work Schedule:
40 hours per week

Employment Status:
Full-Time, Non-exempt (hourly)

Grade:
03/CT-TU

Documents Needed to Apply:
Resume
Cover Letter

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

For certain positions, RISD is currently supporting remote work arrangements due to the pandemic. When work resumes in person, employees are expected to perform work on campus.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

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Technician