designLab Collaborator

Job Description

Job Description

The St. Lukes School designLab seeks a full-time Collaborator to support creative projects across the school, maintain the designLab equipment, and provide supervision in the space throughout the day. The designLab is the SLS innovation space, dedicated to supporting student and faculty inquiry through design thinking, emerging technologies, and project-based learning. By providing resources, expertise, and opportunities for creative problem-solving, the designLab equips interdisciplinary collaboration and helps transform ideas into meaningful projects. The designLab itself is a state-of-the-art, 4000+ sq ft digital and physical fabrication lab. We currently host computer science and engineering program courses related to Engineering. We manage and run a 5th-12th-grade Collaborations Program to inspire and engage students across all disciplines. We develop and deliver signature experiences such as Middle and Upper NHRL Robotics Teams, Middle School Maker Club, STEM Nights, and hands-on Themed Innovation Experiences.

The designLab Collaborator will seize a rare opportunity to utilize their skills in an innovative program and school community, access top-of-the-line resources and mentorship, and launch into a field that is exploding in impact on the educational landscape. We are looking for a Collaborator who loves to solve problems and model curiosity for lifelong learning. This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position with excellent benefits including medical, dental, and life insurance as well as an employer-matching retirement savings plan.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe, actively monitored, and well-maintained Innovation Space for use by all SLS community members.
• Support active projects in the designLab through supervision, monitoring tool usage, and mini-lessons, such as a demo of tool usage and safety protocols.
• Supervise students in the designLab during scheduled appointments and Club Time.
• Support designLab faculty colleagues via prefabrication and prep of collaborations; when needed, review and edit STL/SVG/DXF files, and monitor execution and output. Create template files in Adobe Illustrator, Google Slides, and Onshape.
• Serve as a collaborative thought partner, developing and participating in collaborations across all subject areas and grade levels. Follow the Design Thinking Process for all projects.
• Create a project library for the Collaborations Program.
• Share and actively update the Collaborations calendar in addition to maintaining an accurate Google Calendar.
• Promote designLab competitions and events through announcements at school and via partnership with the Marketing and Communications team.
• Support existing summer camps hosted in the designLab; explore creating additional designLab offerings in the summer months through View email address on ziprecruiter.com.
• Assist during Innovation Events, Open Maker Nights, Skills Sessions, STEM Night Activities, and Admissions Events.
• Work with the schools technology staff to ensure the Labs computers and mobile devices have appropriate software installed, up to date, and functioning properly.
• Take initiative to pursue new ideas and applications for emerging tech.
• Other duties as assigned by the school.

Lab Operations and Safety Responsibilities

Support routines at the end of each Collaboration period: teachers and students clear all classroom surfaces of materials; ensure machines are free of debris at the end of each use.

• Complete daily end-of-day clean up to put all materials away from classes and activities:
• Engage with Activities leaders to put away materials from Robotics/Makers.
• Adhesives and brushes are cleaned and put away
• All tools turned off
• Once a week, dust behind 3D printers and along countertops; clear 3D printer scraps; wipe down table surfaces; dry mop floor.
• Before a school vacation:

• Clean up all surfaces and deactivate tools and machines
• Assess or replace belts, blades, and bits. Organize bits, tools, clamps, and adhesives
• Remove keys from tools, turn off machines and tools, and lower/lock blades
• Lock cabinet containing drills, drivers, routers, saws, utility knives, and chisels

Key Skills and Qualities

• Experience working with middle and high school-aged adolescents
• Passion for innovation and creative problem-solving
• Familiarity with CAD software required; experience with Arduino, Open Source Programming, LEGO Spike Prime, and MicroBits, helpful but not essential
• Experience using tools and technology creatively, especially fabrication technologies such as 3D printers, CO2 lasers, CNC routers, and general woodshop materials and power tools
• Experience modeling objects in 2D and 3D, prototyping, and physical computing
• Positive attitude with demonstrated ability to self-start independently and work as a team
• Patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor
• Strong cultural competency skills, with demonstrated commitment to furthering an equitable and inclusive community that supports a strong sense of belonging
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through
• Ability to quickly develop expertise with and support new systems, software, and tools

Located in New Canaan, Connecticut, St. Lukes attracts families from over 35 towns throughout Connecticut and New York. A combination of challenging academics and truly exceptional community support distinguishes St. Lukes and encourages our students to go above and beyond their own expectations. The school offers an inclusive environment where differences in race, culture, and personal beliefs are embraced as assets that enhance education. St. Lukes prides itself on being a forward-thinking school where students hone their own distinct leadership skills - developing a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead.

St. Lukes School is an equal opportunity employer. St. Lukes School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law with regard to hiring, terms and conditions of employment or educational programs. We strive to provide a welcoming educational environment where the value and dignity of every member is respected.