GIX Program Support Supervisor II University Of Washington
Seattle, WA

Job Description

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.

For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a "Great College to Work For" for five consecutive years.

The Global Innovation Exchange is a collaboration between universities and industry partners from around the world focused on developing leaders in innovation. Located in a new 100,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Bellevue's growing Spring District, is just 10 miles from the UW campus and was specifically designed to support the Masters of Science in Technology Innovation program. The GIX building, named in honor of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, features design studios, an incubation space, electronics prototyping labs, presentation spaces and one of the largest and most comprehensively equipped makerspaces in the region.

GIX has a unique opportunity for a qualified full time (100% FTE) Program Support Supervisor II at the Steve Ballmer Building Makerspace & Shops, a facility focused on conventional and advanced fabrication and prototyping. The Makerspace supports graduate students in the GIX MSTI program (www.gixnetwork.org), as well as users from GIX consortium member organizations, and the broader UW community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for managing the Makerspace technical assistants, assisting in the development and monitoring of budget expenditures and revenue, creating policies and procedures, managing the Makerspace Print Shop, and providing training to GIX faculty, staff, and students.

This position requires strong design and technical skills and familiarity with the setup, operation, and maintenance of conventional and advanced prototyping equipment, mechanical systems, and computer interfaces. The type of equipment in the Makerspace is constantly changing and the successful candidate will feel comfortable orienting themselves to, diagnosing, and troubleshooting new and unfamiliar systems.

In addition to technical skills the Makerspace Program Support Supervisor must have strong interpersonal skills including both written and verbal communication, the ability to work well with people with diverse backgrounds and abilities, and the ability to work well independently and on small teams.

The Makerspace Program Support Supervisor II reports to the Director of Instructional Fabrication.

DUTIES:

Makerspace Staff Supervision & Management

Manage Makerspace technical staff: Hire, train, manage work schedules, assign work and priorities, evaluate performance, and recommend disciplinary action for 8 Makerspace student employees, temporary Technical Assistant, and other technical support positions as assigned.

Contribute to development and evaluation of Makerspace policies and procedures, training materials, and guides.

Assist in the development of budget and invoice procedures; help project and track expenditures and revenue.

Make effective use of existing GIX and shared UW resources (including space, physical resources, web tools, support) and make recommendations for purchases and changes that promote efficiency and/or cost savings.

Print Shop Management & Design Support

Create, update, and maintain internal-facing digital and physical design assets for GIX units, as well as external-facing assets for the Makerspace.

Collaborate with multiple GIX units to fulfill design requests for a variety of initiatives and platforms.

Serve as the primary creative lead and contact for internal design requests.

Create, update, and maintain design and graphic standards for the Makerspace.

Create, update, and maintain document templates consistent with design and graphic standards.

Design and edit print materials such as, training manuals, signage, brochures, posters, and other items as needed.

Design and edit digital materials including website content, online training materials, canvas (LMS) system content, and other items as needed. Contribute content and design to GIX internal newsletter, Makerspace announcements, and other internal communications.

Act as the primary contact for the GIX Print Shop.

Maintain and operate all Print Shop Equipment.

Training & Program Support

Prepare equipment, materials, and supplies for program activities; prepare demonstrations and participate in activities as requested;

Estimate and track the type and quantity of supplies and materials needed and used for program activities;

Provide training and assistance to students, faculty, and external users in the safe use and handling of equipment and materials;

Monitor students, faculty, and external users in the Makerspace.

Equipment & Facility Maintenance

Install, setup, and operate specialized equipment in the Makerspace;

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment;

Perform routine preventative maintenance on equipment and systems in the Makerspace;

Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair equipment and systems as necessary;

Maintain computerized inventory of supplies and materials; maintain adequate stock levels;

Act as a safety officer in the Makerspace;

Related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

High school graduation or equivalent AND three years of applicable experience in graphic design, physical prototyping, or electronics programs OR equivalent education/experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proficiency with graphics editor and layout programs such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.

Experience using high end printers and knowledge document standards and print specifications.

Specific experience and demonstrable proficiency in electronics hardware design and prototyping, including:

* Microcontroller Programming (Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
* Proof of Concept Prototyping (Breadboarding, Soldering, Testing)
* PCB Design (Eagle or other design platforms)
* PCB Prototyping (Milling, LPKF Prototyping System)

Specific experience and demonstrable proficiency in at least two of the following technical areas:

* 3D Printers (FDM, SLA, PolyJet)
* Laser Cutters (Hobby & Industrial)
* CNC Routers/Mills (CAD/CAM Programming, 2 ½ axis, 3 axis, 4 axis)
* Model Making
* Sheetmetal Fabrication & Cold Work
* Sewing & Embroidery

Ability to write and document procedures clearly, contribute to technical and educational resources such as manuals, videos, web pages, and present informally to groups and individual guests of the Makerspace.

Demonstrated ability to train and interact with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.