Human Resources

About the Role: 

As a member of the Department of Art & Art History, you’ll work alongside a dedicated team of faculty and staff who are passionate about critical issues in art. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment in which students can develop as creative and thoughtful individuals.

The Technical Supervisor oversees the health, safety, and overarching systems of the multifaceted Studio Art program at St. Olaf College. In this role, you will be responsible for managing a department-wide safety protocol, supervising a robust student work program, and supporting the safe operations of the studio art spaces. The work is fast-paced and requires a high degree of responsibility and collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and other community partners.

We are looking for someone who is able to begin working this summer.

What You’ll Do: 

Your contribution to the team includes…

1. Safety: 

• Maintain “Studio Art Safety Manual” and approved chemicals/art supplies list
• Raise awareness of safe practices and building protocol to all through required training sessions
• Develop and provide, in conjunction with the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS), a short safety training presentation for each class, specific to that area
• Monitor art studios, equipment, and building infrastructure to ensure they are operating safely
• Work closely with EHS to maintain safety equipment, and organize safe disposal or recycling of chemicals and art supplies

2. Manage student workers:

• Coordinate a robust student work program to manage all studio areas
• Work with faculty to plan student work roles to support curriculum
• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and mentor student workers in multiple studio spaces

3. Building and studio management:

• Serve as project manager for building maintenance, improvements, and special projects, and liaise with the Facilities Department
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on studio equipment, and coordinate with outside vendors to repair specialized equipment
• Manage tool and equipment upgrades in consultation with faculty, and inventory and order general supplies for shared studios
   

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will have the equivalent of a technical degree in studio art or related field and at least one year of work experience in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria with a satisfactory driving record.

You should have:

• Familiarity with a broad range of materials and equipment related to art making
• Proficiency in maintenance and repair of equipment and machinery and a broad understanding of artistic tools and processes  
• Knowledge of and commitment to health and safety as they apply to artistic materials, processes, and regulations
• Basic expertise in carpentry and construction required, including a thorough working knowledge of hand and power tools in accordance with safe practices
• Basic computer proficiency; experience in Adobe Creative Cloud, Computer Aided Design and/or CNC programming is a plus
• Confidence in using independent judgment in decision making
• Experience with inventory, setup, and maintenance of detailed records
• Proven success establishing and maintaining positive and cooperative working relationships commitment to quality of service

This position requires bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, reaching overhead, kneeling, standing for extended periods of time, and lifting and moving objects of up to 50 lbs. It also requires exposure to noise, chemicals, fumes, dust, and odors in order to perform the essential functions. You must possess the ability to safely perform the physical work required of all duties.

Who We Are:

At St. Olaf College we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and globally engaged community. We believe in fostering different identities, beliefs, and traditions because our differences make us stronger. St. Olaf strives to promote cultural diversity and multicultural understanding and create a campus where individuals of all backgrounds feel accepted and supported. We encourage applications from candidates committed to the enrichment of our diverse community. 

One of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf serves 3,000 students, ranks #1 among U.S. colleges for the number of students studying abroad, and celebrates carbon-free electrical power.  Its mission is to challenge students to excel in the liberal arts, examine faith and values, and explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community nourished by Lutheran tradition.  The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, restored, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of the Twin Cities.

St. Olaf College offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 9% company retirement match, company monthly contributions to a retirement healthcare account, company contributions to eligible employee’s health savings account, significant tuition discount (up to 80% off) at ACM and ELCA colleges and universities for employee’s children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of benefit offerings, see the summary of the benefits program here:  https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/

A summary of the flexible work policy: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/

A virtual campus tour:  https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483

An overview of Northfield:  https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/

An overview of the Twin Cities:  https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/

St. Olaf College requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (medical and religious exemptions may apply). To be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you need to have received the COVID-19 vaccination dose(s), plus a COVID-19 booster before your start date, or within two weeks of eligibility for a booster.