Wood Shop Specialist

JOB TITLE: Wood Shop Specialist

JOB POSTED: July 22, 2025

DEPARTMENT: Visible Futures Lab (VFL)

REPORTS TO: Director, Visible Futures Lab

SCHEDULE: This position is 35 hours per week. Standard shifts are Monday–Friday from either 10:00 AM–6:00 PM or 2:00 PM–10:00 PM, and 12:00 PM–8:00 PM on weekends. Some evening and weekend shifts are required. Specific hours will be set each semester.

COMPENSATION: $60,000 annually

FLSA STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director, the Wood Shop Specialist supports the daily operations, safety, and instructional goals of the Visible Futures Lab (VFL). This role involves maintaining equipment, advising users on best practices, and assisting with training, orientation, and events in the VFL. The Wood Shop Specialist plays a key role in ensuring the VFL is a productive, safe, and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

The VFL is dedicated to providing SVA MFA students with the tools and support necessary to fabricate work across a broad range of methods and materials. Consisting of a makerspace, workshop and digital fabrication facilities, the VFL's tool inventory ranges from traditional hand tools and workshop machinery to advanced 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and 2D printers for a variety of substrates and applications. The VFL supports artists and designers in varied areas of professional study to explore the boundaries of contemporary art & design craft work that advances real change. More information can be found here: www.vfl.sva.edu/.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Duties:

• Open, close, and maintain the VFL shop during operating hours.
• Provide guidance on shop workflows, policies, and equipment usage procedures.
• Track and maintain inventory of woodshop materials, hand tools, and fabrication equipment.
• Assist the Director in onboarding and training staff members and student workers in manual woodshop fabrication techniques.
• Research, test, and evaluate new equipment, sharing findings with staff and assisting in related training.
• Support student orientations, training sessions, workshops, special events, and exhibitions by preparing materials and leading relevant sessions.
• Contribute to the development of content for social media and other digital communications platforms.
• Assist with managing the shop’s scheduling and appointment system.
• Advise on materials planning and help forecast needs to support facility development and resource management.

Technical Duties:

• Perform routine maintenance and upkeep of fabrication facilities, ensuring all equipment and workstations remain functional and safe.
• Organize, store, and maintain all woodshop hand tools, power tools, and related equipment.
• Enforce safety protocols by maintaining clean workspaces, verifying approved materials, and ensuring proper tool usage.
• Design and build prototypes or samples that demonstrate shop capabilities and fabrication techniques.
• Supervise and support students, staff, and faculty in following VFL safety guidelines and equipment usage procedures.
• Provide hands-on instruction in software and hardware used to operate fabrication tools and equipment.
• Introduce users to a range of fabrication tools, including:
• Standard hand tools and hand-held power tools
• Woodshop machinery (e.g., table saw, band saw, miter saw, drill press, sanders)
• Shopbot CNC router
• Operate and train users on digital fabrication tools such as:
• CNC machines
• 3D printers and scanners
• Laser cutters
• Candidates with a strong background in traditional woodshop skills will receive training in digital fabrication as needed.
• Provide general support for miscellaneous tasks and assist in shop operations as necessary.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in areas such as Art, Design, technology-based fields, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience with woodshop fabrication tools.
• Demonstrated proficiency with and passion for hand woodworking.
• Demonstrated proficiency with basic carpentry and cabinet making.
• Demonstrated fastidiousness with shop organization and cleaning.
• Strong proficiency with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Some experience with model shop materials such as foam and acrylic.
• Some experience with or a willingness to learn 3D modeling software applications, CNC milling, digital fabrication tools such as 3D printing and laser cutting.
• Teaching experience and/or interest in teaching courses in area of expertise required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• A passion for learning digital and hands-on fabrication techniques.
• Knowledge of assigned practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service to students, faculty, and staff.
• Clear and professional verbal, written, and email communication skills; able to communicate effectively across diverse personalities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to operate and maintain an array of shop tools.
• Ability to learn new technology and workflows in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot AV equipment and identify solutions to technical issues.
• Ability to identify and mitigate safety risks.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to develop and maintain knowledge in assigned specialized areas.
• Ability to resolve problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.
• Ability to interact with all levels of administrative staff, faculty, students, visitors, and prospective students.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is 35 hours per week. Standard shifts are Monday–Friday from either 10:00 AM–6:00 PM or 2:00 PM–10:00 PM, and 12:00 PM–8:00 PM on weekends. Some evening and weekend shifts are required. Specific hours will be set each semester.
• This is a fully onsite position, requiring in-person attendance at our designated work location. Remote work is not permitted for this role.
• Visible Futures Lab operational hours:
• Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
• Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday to Sunday, 12:00 - 8:00 pm
• Ability to perform physical tasks, such as standing for long periods of time, walking, lifting, and carrying items up to 20 lbs.
• Exposure to large equipment and fabrication tools (standard hand/power/woodshop tools), requiring adherence to safety protocols.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Portfolio or sample images demonstrating an ability to create working, complex, and diversified fabrication projects.

WORKING AT SVA

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for more than seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising over 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 41,000 alumni from 128 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For more information about the College's 31 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and Continuing Education division, visit sva.edu.

Learn more about working at SVA.

The School of Visual Arts is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of the College. SVA enjoys a community that represents a significant number of historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, diverse abilities, and foreign countries, and all are encouraged to apply.

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Portfolio or sample images demonstrating an ability to create working, complex, and diversified fabrication projects.