Student Assistant, Making Center (MFA Textiles/MFA FDS)

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks Student Assistants in the MFA Textile and MFA FDS department within 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 student assistant 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.  Duties entail assisting students and faculty with the checkout of tools/equipment, monitoring making spaces, assisting Managers and Technicians with daily processes and projects, and keeping the facilities clean and orderly. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.

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

• Report for shift on time and review priority tasks with the supervisor 

• Monitor patrons entering and exiting the shop space and be ready and available to assist them 

• Provide information to students, faculty, staff, and the general public regarding department services, policies, and procedures

• Perform basic reception duties including greeting visitors and answering phone calls professionally and courteously 

• Assist students and faculty with reservations and equipment requests 

• Assist Making Center Staff with shop upkeep, organization, and maintenance including: 

  • Overseeing and updating inventory and utilizing web checkout systems daily

  • Domestic and industrial sewing machines, and ironing stations Daily

  • Overseeing dye lab, Machine knitting lab, J3 sewing lab, and or J3 textile sewing lab

  • Floor looms, felting station, donation closets

  • (In JJ1 Textiles Studios) Check students in/out of the space using Web checkout

  • (In JJ1 Textiles Studios) Check tools in/out in Web checkout

  • Maintain Silver Reed and Dubied Knitting Machines 

  • Answer basic questions about equipment and lab policies

• Perform tasks to assist in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of various machinery 

• Perform regular upkeep of shops and spaces to maintain organization and cleanliness 

• Complete special projects as assigned 

• Participate in training sessions and staff meetings

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions from supervisor and communicate clearly with Making Center users 

• Adaptable and consistent when notifying the supervisor of schedule changes

• Attention to detail 

• Ability to interact with students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds

• Ability to work without close supervision or alone

• Familiarity with Google Suite (Calendar, Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc.)

• Ability to lift items up to 25lbs

• Ability to work non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends

• For Machine Knitting support positions, completion of a machine knitting class or other previous machine knitting experience is preferred.

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. #LI-DNI

HOURLY RATE: $17.00 / per hour

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.

Responsibilities:

Provide a high level of customer service, assist students and faculty with reservations and equipment requests, assist Making Center Staff with lab upkeep, organization, and maintenance, perform regular upkeep of labs and spaces to maintain organization and cleanliness,  and complete special projects as assigned.