Makerspace Manager, UC Santa Barbara Library

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Responsible for the day-to-day operational management of a new Library service for UCSB students to engage in making activities. Develops opportunities for experiential and project based learning with digital and non-digital creative technologies for varying skill levels. Maintains high levels of customer service in the delivery of Makerspace services. Supervises student assistants in providing peer-to-peer support for project design and creation and ensuring safe use of equipment. The inaugural Makerspace Manager will be an integral part of ensuring a smooth launch of the Makerspace and for informing the development of its service portfolio.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, education, art/design, computer science, technology, or a related field or equivalent experience and/or training.

  • Experience in use and knowledge of typical maker technologies, including but not limited to: 3D printing, CAD and graphic design software, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, sewing, embroidery, button making, etc.

  • Comfort with learning new and emerging technologies and applications.

  • Ability to effectively communicate technical information to technical and non-technical users.

  • A commitment to excellent customer service.

  • Strong communication, presentation, and advocacy skills for the purpose of outreach activities.

  • Ability to utilize interpersonal and cultural competencies to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience maintaining and troubleshooting hardware and software technologies in a lab or similar environment.

  • Familiarity with application of maker technologies to research, instructional, and creative projects in an academic context.

  • Experience developing and delivering instructional programming and related resources (handouts, videos, tutorials, etc.)

  • Experience supervising & managing personnel.

  • Experience writing and/or implementing policies and procedures.

  • Familiarity with design thinking principles.

Special Conditions of Employment

Job Functions/Percentage of Time/Duties

  • Program Administration (50%): Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates student assistants, with a focus on developing an active peer-to-peer learning environment for use of Makerspace technologies. Creates and updates public policies, training procedures, and documentation for safe and productive use of the Makerspace. Responsibly manages operational budget for the Makerspace. Tracks user training certifications. Manages scheduling of space and equipment. Maintains inventory of supplies. Collects and reports appropriate metrics. Recommends improvements to the Makerspace program. Creates and maintains webpages related to the Makerspace. Collaborates to promote Makerspace services and events.
  • Instruction & Outreach (40%): Designs and delivers trainings and workshops to Makerspace users, both individually and in groups. Recruits and oversees other workshop instructors. Assists customers of varying skills in use of Makerspace equipment and with projects. Liaises with faculty across disciplines to integrate pedagogical use of the Makerspace into classes. Fosters and develops diverse user communities through tours, workshops, events, displays, listservs, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, etc. Convenes a Makerspace Advisory Group. Represents the Makerspace to campus and external audiences in order to build interest, partnerships, and support for the program.
  • Technical Support (10%): Ensures equipment in the Makerspace is maintained and in working order. Troubleshoots and repairs equipment problems with help of tutorials, user communities, and vendor support.

UCSB Library empowers researchers and students to create and adapt knowledge for the benefit of society. Situated at the interdisciplinary crossroads of campus, the Library embodies scholarship and advances UCSB as a world-class research and learning institution. With a staff of 240 employees and student workers, the Library manages more than 3.6 million unique print and digital resources, including world-renowned special research collections, and provides a wide range of innovative research, teaching and learning services to more than 2 1/2 million physical and virtual visitors per year.