Technical Demonstrator
ART Fine Arts Admin Services
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This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.
Location
Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.
Working for the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.
Working for the Department/Faculty
The Faculty of Arts includes more than 20 departments and interdisciplinary programs, numerous institutes, more than 350 full-time faculty members and approximately 6000 students, making it one of the largest teaching and research centres in Western Canada.
Position
Reporting to the Team Lead, Technicial Demonstrator in Sculpture works with undergraduate and graduate students within their learning environments and receives direction from the Team Lead, and works closely with the Faculty Program Coordinator, Faculty staff and other Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) with respect to course instruction. The Technical Demonstrator is available during the work day to support students in the use of specialized equipment and work areas. This includes the operation of 4 specialized industrial scale clay, steel, wood, and plaster studio facilities totalling 1,053 square metres in the Fine Arts Building.
Duties
- Provides demonstrations and instruction on all relevant equipment and software in relation to the courses, to ensure that they have the opportunities to be adequately trained and supported in the appropriate techniques for individual / course projects.
- Brings students to an acceptable level of proficiency in the use of tools, equipment and processes by demonstrating and teaching initially in groups, and thereafter by individual instruction, and administering technical exams and follow up training.
- Ensures that the learning environment is equipped and that learners are competent in the use of machines and equipment and provide workshops and demonstrations and instruction on new and existing equipment, processes and techniques.
- Analzyes class projects and individual student needs so as to recommend choice of materials, tools and techniques. Problem solves within the peculiar setting of sculpture processes. Develops methods for groups and individuals enabling them to produce large amounts of work in a constrained time setting.
- Consults with and assists academic staff in matters of material, equipment and processes for the pursuit of their professional studio activity
- Processes work requisitions, gathers quotes, obtain estimates, consults with project personnel, manufacturers, other professionals for equipment assessment and repair if necessary.
- Executes frequent function and safety checks, adjustments, blade replacements, abrasive replacements, battery charge, sharpening and lubrication to all listed tools and equipment.
- Schedules equipment for preventative maintenance to avoid sudden failure during term and executes preventative maintenance procedures (e.g. replaces all bearings and tests motors or industrial size band saw and disc sander).
- Prices and arranges for external or internal repair of studio tools and equipment in extreme cases where Technical Demonstrator cannot under undertake these procedures
- Orders, receives, stores and mounts consumable compressed gasses. Arranges for pickup of empty cylinders.
- Observes, manages and implements health and safety responsibilities with the Fine Arts Division in accordance with HSE and as directed by Team Lead and the Health & Safety Committees in the Faculty of Arts.
- Delivers Hazard Management, Health & Safety and Technical operations safe operating procedures to students with particular reference to studio and workshop usage in order to ensure safe working practices in accordance with the HSE and the University Health & Safety policy.
- Develops, supports and delivers a list of demonstrations in technical skills, processes and the use of specialized equipment at variable degrees of competence from introductory to advanced.
- Trains students and staff in the safe practice regarding tools, equipment, materials and procedures. Hazards include: toxic shock, heavy and awkward materials and structures, dangerous cutting and abrading machines.
- Consultants with HSE personnel re: selection of PPE and Fit Testing (if applicable) and other testing as needed (ex. dust concentration).
- Responsible for the procurement of some student materials, maintains small inventory in studio, responsible for the distribution of some material (example: pcard, supplynet & bookstore). Researches and writes reports/requisitions for supplies, services, capital equipment, renovations, and maintenance for review and approval.
- Organizes controlled drying and firing of figurative sculptures up to over life sizes, in the studio’s industrial sized gas-fired kiln.
- Coordinates digital tools and media with sculpture area to enable student acquisition of competencies in a learning environment.
Minimum Qualifications
- Formal Art Education required: BFA Degree or equivalent.
- Special skills required: Experience in sculptural form creation in clay, steel, plaster, woodworking and 3D digital fabrication using a variety of machinery, tools, equipment and processes.
- Certification / training: First Aid and CPR Certification
- WHMIS (workplace hazardous materials, information systems)
- MSDS (material safety data sheets)
- Chemical spill training, hazard assessment, working alone protocols
- Class 5 driver license required; completion of defensive driving course, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG),
- Forklift and Chainsaw training/certification
- Handling compressed gases training, Fire Extinguisher Training
- Oxy/acetylene cutting
- Basic Metal Working
- Mig welding
- Plasma arc cutting
- Loading & firing of large gas kiln
- Experience in various mold making and casting processes
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to provide clear instructions, explanations and other information
- Ability to carry out job assignments independently and to make decisions
- Excellent skills in order to operate and maintain equipment
- Basic Computer skills (Microsoft office, Adobe, internet, google, working knowledge of 3D modeling and printing software)
How to Apply
Apply Online
Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
