Casting Shop Lead

JOB SUMMARY

Shop Leads fulfill an essential role at Artisans Asylum, overseeing the maintenance of a clean, functional, safe, and reliable shop environment for our members, working with the Facilities & Art Director, with support from the Facilities Coordinators, volunteers, and members. Shop Leads help Artisans Asylum to understand and respond to the needs of our makers while ensuring a productive and safe work environment. An important success factor in this role is readiness to identify infractions against safe practices and recommend remedial actions to the team.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Shop Oversight

  • Carry out routine equipment checks for wear and tear, maintain as needed

  • Maintain a clean and orderly shop, including sweeping, waste disposal, and organization

  • Manage inventory; ensure replacement parts and supplies are replenished

  • Record-keeping, including accident reports, maintenance logs, hazard communication plans, and shop budget 

Program Support

From time to time, the Shop Lead may be asked to provide insight into policy and program design, including:

  • Identify talented users who should be invited to consider teaching and related opportunities

  • Communicate updates, insights, and concerns of shop users with the Artisans team

  • Schedule and communicate equipment status, including maintenance down-time

  • Inform and support tool training, including curriculum content, instruction, and assessment.

  • Maintain an up-to-date list of authorized shop users; report infractions to the Facilities Director and Team.

Shop Development

  • Train and prepare new shop talent to transition into lead in due course

  • Work with the Facilities Team to create a roadmap for the future of the shop

  • Identify design and layout changes that improve the daily operation of the shop

  • Work with the Shop Working Team/Group to improve the shop and make the shop match our users’ expectations.

  • Organize & coordinate the Casting Shop Monthly Volunteer Night event.

Shop Specific Responsibilities

  • Well-organized and stocked inventory of casting vessels and gas

  • Keep surfaces, floors, and equipment clean of dust and debris

  • Provide legible signage (printed and laminated/laser-cut/etc) to keep storage organized and remind members of shared responsibilities to care for studio space

  • Keep air safe and clear of particulates

  • Maintain adequate supplies of PPE in the shop for users

  • Stay on top of scheduled events/lessons/new member training via Nexudus and Eventbrite calendars

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Working hobbyist/artist within the shop’s specialty

  • A welcoming and inclusive personality with the ability to foster a culture of stewardship

  • Hardworking, with an affinity for physical activity 

  • Highly organized and focused on cleanliness and safety

  • A strong communicator with the ability to maintain, prioritize, and share task lists

  • Natural affinity for maker culture and insatiable curiosity for new ideas and activities

  • Good team player,  able to productively engage with staff and volunteers

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Artisans Asylum is a maker space; it can be loud and full of distractions at times.

  • In-person and online meetings from time to time

  • Ability to remain stationary and/or moving about for long periods at a time

  • Ability to navigate small shops and obstacles

  • Some lifting and moving of materials - up to 25 lbs - is required from time to time, for example, moving packages of supplies and equipment.

ABOUT ARTISANS ASYLUM

We believe making is a voluntary act of ingenuity and agency. When we make—as artists, engineers, and hobbyists—we transform bits and atoms into the stuff of dreams and livelihoods. Sometimes we make the world a better place. We nearly always improve ourselves along the way.

Artisans Asylum envisions a world enlivened by makers. We imagine a whole society where everyone feels welcome to share their talents and ceaselessly develop their capabilities, contributing to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of our communities.

Our mission as an inclusive, not-for-profit community workshop is to advance the learning, practice, and culture of do-it-yourself (“DIY”) fabrication. We strive to provide anyone with access to the tools and training necessary to develop creative confidence and build the things they love.

Artisans Asylum operates 52,500 SF of community workshop space across two buildings. We maintain studios, common work areas, and workshops for our members and the community at large. Each of our workshops contains tools, materials, and work surfaces intended to support a range of artistic processes and fabrication methods.

Our two buildings, located at Holton and Antwerp streets, are about 100 yards apart and have the following distinctions:

  • Holton Street is a 28,500 SF public-facing and administrative hub, home to studio, light-duty workshops such as jewelry and digital fabrication, as well as classrooms and public gathering spaces.

  • Antwerp Street is a 24,000 SF fabrication hub that houses studios along with our heavier-duty shops, such as woodworking and metal fabrication. The building includes shared workspaces and a small break room.

Artisans Asylum is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in this position, please email a resume and cover letter to jobs@artisansasylum.com.