Assistant Manager of Mechanics, Sewing and Soft Construction Fixed-Term

Join The New School At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

Position/Role Overview The Parsons School of Design, a division of The New School, invites applications for the position of Assistant Manager of Mechanics, Sewing & Soft Construction within the Making Center. The Parsons Making Center encompasses over 70,000 square feet of laboratories, shops, and studios that foster experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. This role is responsible for the operational management of the Sewing facilities and equipment, ensuring a safe, healthy environment for undergrad, graduate, and continuing education students and faculty while overseeing essential administrative duties. We seek a personable, proactive, and detail-oriented professional to support a wide range of processes in sewing and soft construction, with a core focus on repair and maintenance of machinery.

This is an exempt administrative position reporting to the Facilities Manager of Sewing and Soft Construction, Making Center, based in a fast-paced environment that operates year-round. The hire is for a 3-year fixed term subject to end unless otherwise approved for renewal.

Core Capabilities, Primary Duties, And Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment and uphold a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.
• Lead the process to troubleshoot, repair, maintain, install, and ensure continuous operation and support for a variety of industrial and domestic sewing equipment.
• Lead the efforts and train other staff on routine maintenance of equipment, in addition to developing Standard Operating Procedures and preventative maintenance schedules.

• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:

• Assist faculty and students.
• Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.
• Make hardware/software purchase and process recommendations.
• Create web page content.
• Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.
• Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff through peer-to-peer trainings and skills sharing.
• Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record-keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.

• Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas

• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned.
• Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.
• Oversee tool and equipment checkout for both in-shop/lab use and off-site special requests.
• Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.
• Assist with facility improvement projects and special Making Center, program, school or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment; adjust approach and prioritize competing demands as necessary.
• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff.
• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment with productive and positive workplace relationships.
• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.
• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree and/or 3 years of relevant or professional experience within the industry.
• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to scheduling shifts with semester changes.
• Completion of university required staff trainings and necessary COF’s for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.
• Become proficient in WebCheckout or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.
• Knowledge …