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Faculty Director of Sears think[box]

Position Description

Applications will be accepted until the successful candidate has been identified. Those received prior to January 13, 2025, will receive first consideration.

Date: December 2024
Business Title: Faculty Director of Sears think[box]
Department Name: Sears think[box]
Management Center: University General
Supervisor Name and Title: Jeffrey Capadona, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Innovation in Education

Position Objective

The Faculty Director of the Sears think[box] will work closely with the Executive Director and Vice Provost for Innovation to focus on the integration of makerspace resources into academic curricula and the advancement of strategic initiatives for experiential learning. This role is an administrative supplemental position. Compensation will be in the form of a stipend, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

1. Academic integration support (40%): Collaboratively lead the development of curriculum utilizing think[box] resources for introduction into new and existing academic programs/courses. Work with the Executive Director and think[box] Senior Staff to creatively support faculty course needs. Identify and cultivate relationships with key departments to showcase think[box] resources and share successful examples of think[box]-based coursework, projects, and other experiential learning opportunities from peer departments. Provide faculty perspective on other academic partnerships.

2. Faculty Fellowship program support (40%): Lead the visioning, deployment, and refinement of the think[box] Faculty Fellowship, providing input on program structure, requirements, and desired outcomes. Work with the Executive Director and think[box] Senior Staff to craft a thoughtful program arc, including website language, application process, project requirements, timeline, and assessment criteria. Review seasonal applications, participate in the selection committee, and promote the Fellowship to faculty and department heads. Lead program delivery in collaboration with think[box] staff.

3. Faculty advocacy and outreach (15%): Serve as a faculty liaison and advocate for think[box] within the academic community. Champion experiential learning opportunities to faculty peers. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and other potential partners. Attend high-level strategic outreach events and activities as needed (1-2 per semester). Champion think[box]’s mission and vision, prioritizing both student and public users. 
    

Additional Responsibilities

1. Support mission-critical activities (2.5%).
2. Perform other duties assigned (2.5%).

Contacts

Department: Continuous contact with Sears think[box] staff and Executive Director to collaborate on initiatives as defined above. Regular contact with student technicians to gather information and share perspectives.
University: Regular contact with the Office of the Provost and faculty peers from all departments to represent think[box]’s academic goals; occasional contact with the deans of schools and colleges.
External: Occasional contact with public users to gather information and share perspectives. Occasional contact with donors and local corporate partners for outreach and programming efforts.
Students: Occasional contact with undergraduate and graduate student users to gather information and share perspectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Qualifications

Experience: Tenured or nontenure track faculty appointment at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.

Required Skills

1.  Commitment to think[box]s diverse stakeholders, including public and student users.
2. Demonstrated interest in—and a strong understanding of—maker culture, experiential learning, and innovation in education. Prior experience with think[box] or similar makerspaces preferred.
3. Experience incorporating project-based or hands-on learning in his/her/their courses.
4. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the university's values, mission, and messaging, while adhering to the policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
5. Track record of successful cross-disciplinary collaboration, including an ability to build strong faculty relationships and champion creative initiatives.
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
7. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills and a collaborative management style.
8. Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.
9. Persuasive and passionate speaker for events (e.g., emcee, panel member, keynote speaker, conference speaker, television interviewee/interviewer).
10. Ability to engage and motivate students from multiple backgrounds (e.g., art, music, engineering, science) engaged in outreach programs.
11. Demonstrated commitment to high professional, ethical standards within a diverse workplace. 

Working Conditions

The employee may be asked to work flexible hours and will occasionally be required to work on evenings and weekends. Ability to travel and work flexible hours, may include some evenings and weekends as required. Workshop safety rules must be strictly enforced at all times when interacting with staff and students who are using various workshop/laboratory machines and equipment.

Submission Requirements

Candidates should submit 1) a cover letter that states interest in the position, experience in areas related to the role, and vision for the role, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) a list of four reference contacts. Please submit application materials as one, combined PDF to Liz Jaszczak at eaj54@case.edu. Please name your file "Last Name, First Name_Faculty Director for think[box]." Applications will be accepted until the successful candidate has been identified; those received prior to January 13, 2025, will receive first consideration. 

Makerspace Director

Position Objective

Sears think[box] serves members of the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ community (faculty, staff, alumni, and affiliates) as well as the general public with seven floors of innovation, including an expansive makerspace and many resources to support entrepreneurship. 

The Makerspace Director manages daily operations on the 3rd (Prototyping), 4th (Fabrication), and 5th (Project) floors, which include a wood shop, metal shop, welding shop, waterjet, and paint room. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role ensures a safe, inclusive, and innovative environment for all users while contributing to the growth and impact of Sears think[box] at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and beyond. Key responsibilities include overseeing staff and student workers in a shop environment, ensuring safe working conditions and practices for users, and supporting institutional goals in design and manufacturing. The director will also create instructional materials, lead workshops and trainings, and mentor users in design and fabrication techniques relevant to think[box] makerspace equipment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Makerspace Management: Oversee all operational aspects of the Prototyping (3rd), Fabrication (4th), and Project (5th) floors, ensuring smooth and efficient management of these spaces. Lead a team of staff and student technicians, coordinating their recruitment, training, and supervision to provide design guidance, equipment training, and hands-on support to users. Manage tool usage and monitor the inventory of materials and consumables, while overseeing the operation, maintenance, and repair of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and manual equipment across the prototyping floor, wood shop, metal shop, welding shop, waterjet, and paint room. Lead preventative maintenance, repairs, and equipment replacement to maintain the highest safety and operational standards. Recommend new equipment aligned with budget constraints and supervise its installation and commissioning. Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules for all equipment. Conduct orientation and safety trainings and enforce compliance with rules, policies, and standards (including OSHA and EHS) for staff and users to foster a safe and inclusive maker environment. Participate in senior staff meetings and strategy sessions to represent the makerspace priorities, plan events, support partnerships, and position think[box] for success. (50%)
2. Creation of Learning Supports and Project Management: Conduct workshops and mentor users in all aspects of design and fabrication, from CNC and manual tools to welding, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and shop safety. Collaborate on content and curriculum development for classes and workshops, working with the Executive and Faculty Director to identify new opportunities for integration. Develop and manage a diverse portfolio of on-site workshops and classes, offering varying lengths and depths of instruction on design, prototyping, and fabrication technologies. Track workshop attendance, gather feedback from participants, and create reports to assess effectiveness, impact, and opportunities for improvement or growth. Additionally, oversee the creation and refinement of non-workshop resources such as written guides and other self-service solutions. Offer guidance and advice to students working on senior design projects, particularly those with machining and fabrication needs. (25%)
3. Manage 5th Floor Spaces and Project Teams: Assign and oversee project bays, carts, and storage, fielding users¿ requests. Provide design and manufacturing consultation, mentorship, and technical guidance to extracurricular design/build project teams (e.g. Mini Baja, Rocketry, Robotics). Manage communications with project teams, enforcing adherence to think[box] policies and safety practices. (10%)
4. Systems Management and Reporting: Ensure financial and operating logistics are accurately captured in the approved think[box] data management software systems. Work closely with the executive director and department administrator to provide performance data, budget information, new equipment requirements, and staffing needs as required. (10%)

Additional Responsibilities

1. Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

Contacts

Department: Continuous contact with the Sears think[box] senior leadership team, students, community users, and department staff to exchange ideas, share information, maintain workflow. 

University: Occasional contact with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ leadership and administrators to represent Sears think[box] and exchange information. Regular contact with faculty and staff involved with `Design/Build¿ courses, projects and competitions. 

External: Continuous contact with public users to deliver trainings, answer questions, and provide project and equipment guidance. Occasional contact with members of the Higher Education Makerspace Initiative (HEMI) and similar relevant professional or academic networks. Moderate contact with alumni, potential donors, local companies, potential clients, vendors, and suppliers to obtain quotes for equipment, machine tools and services as required and to organize and supervise the execution of services and delivery of equipment. 

Students: Continuous contact with student employees to maintain workflow. Continuous contact with student users involved with `Design/Build¿ courses, projects, and competitions. Continuous contact with undergraduate and graduate students to provide advice and guidance relating to design and manufacturing curriculum. Frequent contact with graduate students to advise on research activities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise the Makerspace Manager, Prototyping Manager, Prototyping Engineer, Fabrication Manager, Fabrication Engineer, and student technicians.

Qualifications

Experience: 7 years of related experience (previous management experience--including supporting users of varying skillsets and backgrounds--in a public-facing or academic shop, lab, makerspace, or similar context). 

Education/Licensing: Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field required. A graduate degree in a mechanical engineering discipline would be an advantage. Industry licensures (CAD certifications, journeyman status, etc.) would be an advantage.

Required Skills

1. Shop experience with a variety of manual and computer-controlled fabrication machines and equipment, such as laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, heat presses, soldering & electronics benches, CNC and manual lathes/milling/grinding machines, MIG/TIG welding equipment, waterjet cutters, and standard manual machine and bench tools. 
2. Demonstration of formal or informal teaching in relation to making, fabrication, or engineering principles would be an advantage. 
3. Experience with the operation and application of woodworking and metalworking machinery and processes.
4. Experience with computer-aided-design (CAD), computer-aided analysis (CAE), and computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) software systems. A sound working knowledge of PTC CREO or SolidWorks design, manufacturing and analysis software.
5. Experience producing, reading, and interpreting engineering drawings.
6. Ability to engage and motivate students from multiple backgrounds (art, music, engineering, science) working on design and build projects. 
7. Ability to teach/instruct basic and advanced manufacturing design and workshop skills. 
8. A successful record of creative project design, management, manufacture, testing and delivery.
9. Ability to manage multi-disciplinary design and manufacturing projects.
10. A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.
11. Cross-discipline understanding of the principles of engineering and science.
12. Excellent interpersonal skills and an organized, collaborative and inclusive management style.
13. Proven ability to manage and motivate a team.
14. Strategic level of conceptual independent thinking, an intense attention to detail, patience, instruction skills, and very high expectations of quality.
15. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest. 
16. Ability to meet consistent attendance. 
17. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face. 

Working Conditions

Located onsite at Sears think[box], the employee's duties will require working with various manual and computer-controlled machines and processes, machining and manipulating a wide range of ferrous, non-ferrous, polymeric and wood-based materials. Workshop safety rules must be strictly enforced at all times, to all users of the workshop facilities. Sound engineering practices must be followed and demonstrated at all times. None of the processes or materials will present any toxic hazards. The duties of the employee will involve occasional travel and working flexible hours that could include evenings and weekends.