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
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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.
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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.
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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
- Support mission-critical activities (2.5%).
- 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 Case Western Reserve University.
Required Skills
- Commitment to think[box]s diverse stakeholders, including public and student users.
- 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.
- Experience incorporating project-based or hands-on learning in his/her/their courses.
- 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.
- Track record of successful cross-disciplinary collaboration, including an ability to build strong faculty relationships and champion creative initiatives.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills and a collaborative management style.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.
- Persuasive and passionate speaker for events (e.g., emcee, panel member, keynote speaker, conference speaker, television interviewee/interviewer).
- Ability to engage and motivate students from multiple backgrounds (e.g., art, music, engineering, science) engaged in outreach programs.
- 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.
Fabrication Manager
Position Description
The Fabrication Manager will lead operations for Floors 4 and 5 of Sears think[box], which house a woodshop, metal shop, and welding shop (Floor 4) and design lab, paint room, and project space (Floor 5). This role combines expertise in design, fabrication, creative problem-solving, and customer service to provide guidance to users working on different academic, entrepreneurial, and personal projects. Core responsibilities include documenting, implementing, and enforcing safety protocols; performing routine equipment maintenance and repairs; managing inventory and ordering for consumables and supplies; and training and supervising student technicians. Working with the makerspace director, fabrication engineer, and other think[box] staff, the fabrication manager will also create and deliver hands-on workshops, trainings, and other educational programs to advance users' fabrication skills and build their confidence around in design workflows (CAD/CAM) and digital and manual fabrication tools/techniques (e.g. manual and/or computer-controlled lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, drill presses, MIG/TIG welders, and digital prototyping equipment including a CNC router and waterjet cutter).
Sears think[box], a seven-story, 50,000-square-foot innovation center at Case Western Reserve University, stands as the nation's largest open-access academic makerspace, offering free training and access to advanced fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines to university members, local entrepreneurs, and the broader Cleveland community.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design and manufacturing (55%): Provide expert guidance around fabrication and design for manufacturing to users across all skill levels working on academic, entrepreneurial, and personal design/ build projects. Learn and assist with key software and equipment. Mentor users and staff through challenges related to toolpathing, material selection, file preparation, and equipment use for manufacturing processes in the woodshop, metal shop, welding shop, waterjet room, design studio, and paint room. Consult with faculty to advise on fabrication-related curriculum and support course-relevant design-and-build projects. Champion best practices that emphasize safety, sustainability, and creative exploration. Create an accessible and welcoming space that encourages experiential learning. Represent the fabrication floor at team meetings, in user consultations, and on facility tours.
- Provide training (20%): Collaborate with the makerspace director, makerspace manager, and prototyping manager to recruit, train, and manage a team of 15+ fabrication-specific student technicians to support users with project design and fabrication requests, perform routine equipment maintenance, and complete special projects as needed. Support the development and delivery of training materials and procedures, including for student employee training week and general professional development initiatives on the Fabrication floors. Develop and deliver shorter safety and skill-focused training sessions and workshops for general users.
- Manage operations (15%): Manage the installation, operation, and maintenance of manual and computer-controlled equipment in the wood shop, metal shop, welding shop, and project space (e.g., mills, lathes, routers, belt sanders, saws, welders, water jet, paint booth), including by working with external vendors as required. Advise the Sears think[box] leadership team on the selection and purchase of new, upgraded, and/or replacement equipment based on industry trends and user needs. Manage equipment procurement, safety protocols, and maintenance schedules. Maintain inventory and order supplies, replacement parts, materials, and consumables required for 4th and 5th floor operations and community programs. Ensure year-round operational excellence through strategic planning and continuous improvement of workspace and resources.
Additional Responsibilities
- Assist with and participate in day-to-day Sears think[box] operations. (5%)
- Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)
Contacts
Department: Continuous contact with Sears think[box] management, including the Makerspace team. faculty, staff, students, and community visitors regarding projects. Occasional contact with the Executive Director to advise or assist on special tasks and projects.
University: Moderate contact with university faculty and staff to advise and assist on design/make related activities. Occasional contact with the offices of the President and Provost, deans of schools and colleges, and central administration to exchange information.
External: Moderate contact with alumni, potential donors, local companies, potential clients, local K-12 educators, and students to represent think[box], advise on fabrication questions and policies, and deliver tours, hands-on workshops, and general project mentorship.
Students: Continuous contact with graduate and undergraduate students using think[box] resources, especially student project teams and others involved with 4th- and 5th-floor design/build/validate projects and competitions. Continuous contact with undergraduate student technicians.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Assist in the recruitment, training, and management of 15+ undergraduate student technicians.
Qualifications
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in related field and 3 to 5 years of related experience required; OR an Associate's degree and 5 years of related experience required. Prior experience in a college/ university, makerspace, or non-profit setting preferred.
Required Skills
- Expertise in CAD/CAM software and file preparation processes (e.g. SolidWorks, Vetric VCarve) for digital fabrication is required.
- Experience supervising and/or instructing undergraduate students engaged in design/ make project work would be a distinct advantage.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching, mentorship, and safety.
- Experience with a variety of fabrication machines and processes relevant to metalworking and woodworking, including--but not limited to--manual and/or computer-controlled lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, welders, sanders, drill presses, and bench tools in addition to a waterjet cutter, CNC router, and paint booth.
- Demonstrated proficiency with the application of computer-aided-design (CAD) and computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) software systems. A working knowledge of SolidWorks design and manufacturing software would be an advantage.
- Ability to explain/demonstrate/teach the safe use of a variety of manufacturing tools and techniques to users of all skill levels.
- Awareness of and willingness to develop/refine, implement, and enforce shop safety policies, including in collaboration with the university's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team as required.
- Practical design for manufacturing and design/make experience, with a successful record of creative project design, management, manufacture, testing, and delivery.
- Ability to engage and motivate students from different disciplines (art, music, engineering, science) engaged in design/build/validate projects
- Strong interpersonal and management skills.
- Ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects.
- A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and workplace.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required to provide coverage for the Sears think[box] makerspace.
- Excellent organizational skills, a growth mindset (openness to direction), and a commitment to get the job done.
- 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.
- Ability to meet consistent attendance.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Working Conditions
Duties will require working with various manual and computer-controlled machines within a shop setting; handling a range of paints and coatings; and machining or manipulating a range of ferrous, non-ferrous, polymeric, and wood-based materials. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be supplied for any hazardous duties. The duties of the position will involve occasional travel and working flexible hours in the evenings and weekends.
EEO Statement
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodations
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.