Textiles Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks student assistants in the Textile and MFA FDS department within the Making Center. The student assistant should be a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who will become integral to the daily workings of the facilities within the Making Center, with the ability to learn new skills and technologies as needed. Duties entail assisting students and faculty with the checkout of tools/equipment, monitoring making spaces, assisting managers and technicians with daily processes and projects, and keeping the facilities clean and orderly.

Minimum qualifications include excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities. The candidate should be able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions from supervisors and communicate clearly with making center users. Adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to interact with students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds are also required. Familiarity with Google Suite and the ability to lift items up to 25lbs are necessary. For machine knitting support positions, completion of a machine knitting class or other previous machine knitting experience is preferred. The ability to work non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends is also required.

Responsibilities include cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff. Providing a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff is essential. Reporting for shift on time and reviewing priority tasks with the supervisor, monitoring patrons entering and exiting the shop space, and being ready and available to assist them are also part of the role. Providing information to students, faculty, staff, and the general public regarding department services, policies, and procedures, performing basic reception duties including greeting visitors and answering phone calls professionally and courteously, and assisting students and faculty with reservations and equipment requests are also required. Assisting making center staff with shop upkeep, organization, and maintenance, overseeing and updating inventory and utilizing web checkout systems daily, maintaining sewing machines, ironing stations, dye lab, machine knitting lab, j3 sewing lab, j3 textile sewing lab, floor looms, felting station, donation closets, checking students in/out of the space using webcheckout, checking tools in/out in webcheckout, maintaining silver reed and dubied knitting machines, answering basic questions about equipment and lab policies, performing tasks to assist in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of various machinery, performing regular upkeep of shops and spaces to maintain organization and cleanliness, completing special projects as assigned, and participating in training sessions and staff meetings are also part of the role.

Work mode: In person. Hourly rate: $17 per hour. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.