Anderson Student Innovation Labs Operations Coordinator

Position Summary:

Classification & Title: 8312PD, Education Professional 2 - Education Program Development and Implementation
Working Title: Anderson Student Innovation Labs Operations Coordinator
Percent Time: 100%
Employee Classification: Civil Service
Work Schedule/Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with flexibility. May need to work some evenings and weekends. 40 hours per week.
Salary: $25.55 - $29.00 per hour
Term: 12 month appointment
Type: Continuing
College/Admin Unity: CSE
Campus Location: East Bank Minneapolis Campus

About the Job:

This staff position will focus on managing and improving the day-to-day operations in the Anderson Student Innovation Labs. The person in this role will work closely with the Anderson Labs Manager and their job duties will include: recruiting, hiring, scheduling, training, and managing a team of student workers; managing lab inventory and ordering supplies; repairing equipment; planning and implementing lab improvements such as organizing tools, rearranging equipment, designing signage and documentation, and creating training procedures for new equipment; training student lab users; developing and enforcing lab policies; collecting and analyzing lab usage data; organizing skill building events and workshops; and promoting the Anderson Labs to students, staff, and faculty.

The person in this role will sometimes be required to directly oversee and train lab users on the safe use of tools and equipment in the Anderson Labs and will help foster a safe and welcoming work environment for shop users of all skill levels. Shop users have varying degrees of previous experience, so the Anderson Labs Operations Coordinator must be able to adjust their instruction style to accommodate anyone.

Location and Work Environment: This position will split its time between all three of the Anderson Student Innovation Labs locations on the East Bank Minneapolis Campus. This is an in person position/work environment.

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible, but should typically be 40 hours per week and occur mostly Monday - Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. as agreed upon with the Anderson Labs Manager. Occasional weekend and evening work will be required.

CSE and the University of Minnesota provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Daily Lab Operations - 55%
* Develop, implement, and maintain lab organization systems
* Manage inventory and ordering for lab supplies
* Oversee routine maintenance and housekeeping of the facilities without direct supervision
* Repair broken equipment
* Design, construct, and install physical improvements to the lab spaces, including those that improve accessibility
* Develop, improve, and enforce lab policies and procedures
* Actively monitor lab communication channels
* Collect and analyze data to measure space utilization and impact
* Work with the Office of IT, Facilities Management, and staff from other University departments to ensure the appropriate building infrastructure is in place to support the Anderson Labs

Train, Supervise, and Assist Student Workers and Lab Users - 30%
* Recruit, interview, and hire potential student workers
* Help manage student worker schedules
* Supervise and mentor student workers, identifying and assigning daily tasks and long term projects
* Demonstrate safe, effective shop practices and oversee a diverse population of users in the facility
* Understand, follow, and enforce safe work practices and policies
* Provide instruction and support for digital fabrication software and hardware
* Work with and support extracurricular student organizations
* Consult with the Anderson Labs Manager when user needs are not met and work collaboratively toward solutions

Program Development and Implementation - 10%
* Develop training curricula to teach lab users how to use lab equipment, accounting for their diverse needs
* Create programs to teach students about emerging trends in manufacturing and design
* Develop, organize, and facilitate skill building micro-courses (workshops and training sessions)
* Promote the Anderson Labs to students, staff, and faculty, to improve lab utilization and to find new opportunities that benefit CSE student education

Professional Development - 5%
* Maintain familiarity with tools and equipment required by users
* Expand technical knowledge and capabilities through self-directed projects
* Consult with the Anderson Labs Manager to identify opportunities for skill growth

Required Qualifications:

* BA/BS with at least 2 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 6 years. Student work experience is acceptable.
* Exceptional level of customer service and ability to maintain composure when faced with difficult situations
* Demonstrated organizational skills.
* Strong understanding of the safe operation of power tools and other fabrication equipment. Ability to confidently provide safety-focused instruction, enforce safety rules, and foster an environment of safety where students feel encouraged to ask questions.
* Highly skilled in the use of a wide variety of analog and digital fabrication tools. Familiarity with a wide range of materials, including woods, metals, and plastics.
* Courteous and effective communication style. Ability to pivot instruction based on the needs of individual students.
* Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI) and desire to promote DEAI in a fabrication shop environment.
* Wide range of mobility to perform repairs on equipment.
* Understanding of and strict adherence to PPE standards and safety practices when handling hazardous materials or being exposed to dust and noise.
* Flexibility in work hours. Evening and/or weekend hours will occasionally be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Strongly preferred: Experience in an educational hands-on learning environment, such as a makerspace, arts program, or fabrication lab.
* Strongly preferred: Experience managing the day to day operations of a public facing facility, such as a retail store, coffee shop, or restaurant.
* Experience supervising student and/or professional employees or serving in a lead-worker capacity.
* Experience planning and facilitating events, technical workshops, classes, summer camps, etc. to deliver educational content to students.
* Experience with marketing campaigns, branding, social media, web editing, and other effective communication strategies.
* Experience with 3D printing and laser cutting hardware and software.
* Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software such as: Solidworks, Creo, Inventor, Fusion360, or similar.
* Experience with C++, Python, Java, or other object oriented programming languages.
* Experience working with microcontrollers and single board computers such as: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Particle Photon, etc.

The Anderson Student Innovation Labs are makerspaces in the College of Science and Engineering that serve: students working on course related projects, extracurricular student organizations, researchers, and people working on personal projects. The Anderson Labs consist of several locations spread out across multiple buildings and the capabilities include 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics prototyping equipment (soldering irons, PCB mill, power supplies, test equipment, etc.), metal working equipment (mills, lathes, saws, welders, sheet metal shears and brakes, etc.), woodworking equipment (saws, CNC router, sanders, drill presses, lathes, etc.), and more.

Pay Range: $25.55 - $29.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Application Instructions: Please attach:
1. Resume/CV: Please highlight relevant coursework, projects, experience, etc.
2. Cover Letter: A brief note explaining your interest and your relevant technical skills.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).