Foundations Technical Specialist

Provides technical support for faculty and students for Foundations.

Salary/Rate:

$24.48-$25.89, 40-hours/week

Essential Functions:

This position has supervisor authority

Administrative

• Daily operations/management. Ordering equipment and materials. Oversight of safety training, documentation, and technology foundations courses.
• Support Director of Foundations in documenting and archiving foundations courses including curricular materials and project outcomes
• Support Foundations exhibitions
• As needed provide tours of Foundations
• Document the Foundations experience to support recruitment efforts
• Support Director of Foundations and faculty in creating a safe, inspirational, and sustainable learning & teaching environment.
• Support physical teaching environment improvements and preparations
• Monitor studios outside of class meeting times to support students
• Supervise and train in studio procedures, studio maintenance, safety and the use of equipment and supplies that are used in Foundations
• Maintain records of receipts and purchase orders for budgetary review.
• Prepare purchase orders/requests, maintain records of and follow through on all orders.
• Assist in the planning of purchases and perform routine analysis and reconciliation of budgets for internal and external purposes.
• Oversee the foundations studios, shared office and equipment which requires maintaining the equipment that graduate and undergraduate students are permitted to borrow for class projects such as digital cameras, projectors, printers, etc.
• Co-ordinate studio set-up at the beginning of each semester and co-ordinate all clean-up schedules at the end of each semester.
• Initiate and submit work orders, oversee and follow up on projects. Liaison between the Division Chairs and the professional staff with respect to administrative matters and facilities projects. Gather research and data as requested.
• Design and assist with publication materials such as ad layouts, brochures, posters and catalogs.
• Assist with orientation of rotating instructors.
• Assist visiting artists: provide transportation, secure lodging, locate materials and equipment needed for demonstrations and projects.

General Support

• Do basic carpentry work including design, construction, and repair of items.
• Maintain the Foundations web presence and provide content as needed for social platforms.

Instructional

• Provide additional technical instructional assistance for students when needed.
• Instruct students in standard operation procedures.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• During summer months, prepares foundations studios (equipment, materials, building), repairs for fall, supports incoming student exhibition, summer workshops and institutes as requested.
• Manages summer projects to support facilities.
• Supports and assists in creating intersections for faculty, staff and students that will assist in transforming people's lives.
• Supports and assists in creating an evolving culture of mentoring and rich engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
• Maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences, therefore welcoming and supporting all faculty, staff and students and expanding access to the AU experience.
• Maintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment.
• Participates in all required assigned training, including safety training and will comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications-Education & Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred with 5+ years of experience in the visual arts.
• Two to five years of work experience. Experience working in a Fine Arts Educational environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Suite, MS Office.
• Knowledge of equipment and materials used in foundations studios.
• Must be able to maintain complete and detailed records in an organized manner and work on many kinds of projects simultaneously.
• Must be self-motivated, have good communication skills, and be able to work well with a wide range of people and personalities including faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, support staff, future students, and visiting artists.
• An interest in learning new technologies, methods, materials, and techniques is important as in an interest in working in an arts environment.

Applications will be accepted through June 1, 2026. For questions please contact Trevor Bennett, Director of Foundations.