Olin Arts Resource Technician

Apply now Job no: 493090
Work type: Staff Full Time - Full Year
Location: Lewiston, ME
Categories: Academic Programs and Departments

The Olin Arts Resource Technician provides technical support for the facilities in the Olin Arts Building, including the ceramics studio, the printmaking studio, the photography darkroom, the painting and drawing studios, the sound studio, Olin Concert Hall, and the animation studio.

• Organizing and maintaining all studio classrooms, ensuring that they are prepared for classes as well as for student use outside of class time.
• Determining what materials are critical and can be procured on budget.
• Researching materials costs and quality and deciding what items to purchase.
• Developing an inventory process and handling inventory and safe storage and disposal of all materials and supplies, including clay and glaze materials, printshop materials, darkroom chemicals, painting and drawing tools and equipment.
• Maintaining studio equipment including print shop equipment, darkroom equipment (enlargers, etc.); sound and animation studio equipment, including maintenance and regular inventory of loudspeakers, microphones, organization of audio cables and regular testing, mixing consoles, and audio interfaces; kilns, wheels and other ceramic equipment; arranging for repairs and keeping logs of repairs, equipment budgeting, and purchases; overseeing musical instrument maintenance, including acoustic and electronic instruments as well as musical computer systems.
• Providing instructional support to students in all Olin fabrication facilities, including (in printshop) supporting student use of the printing presses and equipment, (in ceramics studios) assisting faculty with mixing glazes and loading and firing of gas and electric kilns, (in animation and sound studios) assisting students with use of technology, (in painting and drawing studios) supporting students as they work on complex projects, (in photographic darkroom) supporting student use of printing and film processing equipment, and (in sound studio) supporting faculty with installation and maintenance of music software, often in support of student project work.
• Independently designing and running studio sessions, especially in facilities requiring technical expertise, for student and faculty use outside of class time.
• Maintaining and updating technology as needed, including regular software updates, particularly in the sound and animation studios (e.g., ensuring audio drivers remain compatible across macOS and Windows operating systems).
• Independently trouble‑shouting issues with software and hardware. Maintaining and updating musical instrument inventory in consultation with Applied Music Manager.

• Participating in ongoing hazardous waste trainings and remain up to date on best practices.
• Producing student facing signage and communications around safe materials and facilities use.
• Working with Bates College staff to ensure that hazardous materials are properly disposed of and maintained.

• Determining a process for rotating display of artwork in Olin hallways and other spaces on campus.
• Connecting students and faculty to all of the making spaces on campus; e.g., supporting students in moving studio projects from conception to completion, making use of all of the disparate making spaces on campus.
• Maintaining musical technical equipment in Olin Concert Hall (for rehearsals, performances, recording) and related inventory.

• Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, Music, Computer Science or relevant field.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

Candidates do not need to have experience in all areas listed below. Experience in one or several areas, plus a willingness to learn, would happily be considered.

Experience with print shop equipment, darkroom equipment (enlargers, etc.), sound and animation studio equipment, kilns, wheels and other ceramic equipment, and/or musical instrument maintenance (e.g., live sound reinforcement, audio production software and studio workflows, MIDI peripheral devices, and sound synthesis software).

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of print shop equipment, darkroom equipment (enlargers, etc), sound and animation studio equipment, kilns, wheels and other ceramic equipment, musical instrument maintenance and willingness to obtain increased knowledge through appropriate training and education upon hire.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, listening and presentation) skills.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to remain composed, friendly, and demonstrate poise under stress while working in a deadline driven environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; high level of accuracy; ability to synthesize complex or…