Career Center

Description

The Lick-Wilmerding High School Technical Arts Department is a collaborative environment in which instructors work together to build an inclusive student experience in design, engineering, and craft. We’re looking for a new shop faculty member to teach three design-and-build classes that introduce students to the design process, some engineering principles, and how to work with a variety of tools in a metal-fabrication shop space. The ideal candidate must be comfortable working safely with a diverse highly-motivated set of high school students, using a wide variety of tools and machines, in an interdisciplinary shop environment. You will need some knowledge or desire to learn CNC tools, 3D digital modeling (we use Rhino), and metal shop work – most importantly welding, plasma cutting, and cold-forming metal (milling and lathe work is a plus). The role can also include a shop maintenance role and student advising for a full-time opportunity.

Responsibilities

Class Responsibilities:

• Teach a year-long class to 9th-grade students, from an existing curriculum, that introduces them to drawing, digital 3D modeling (we use Rhino), the design process, prototyping, and basic metal fabrication (cold forming and some welding)
• Teach two semester-long classes in the fall and spring called “Rethinking Furniture”. This class focuses on guiding student research and designing innovative pieces for furniture while learning a variety of tools and techniques. The instructor has flexibility with specifics in the currently existing curriculum.

Additional Responsibilities:

• 20% time on shop machine maintenance and keeping safety procedures and documentation updated (if desired)
• Mentor a student advising group (about 13 students, if desired)
• Teach and manage a diverse set of students in working safely with a wide variety of tools and machines, during both class and open shop times.
• Work with the department chair as well as other instructors to build and refine the curriculum to meet the long-term vision of the department and the mission of the school.
• Collaborate with other instructors to make the department more inclusive, innovative, efficient, exciting, and safe
• Assist in the maintenance, organization, and safety of a metal-focused shop space
• Attend monthly department, team, and faculty meetings
• The school is committed to public purpose and community outreach. Experience or interest in these is a plus.

Desired Skills:

• BA or higher in one of the following: industrial design, product design, engineering, architecture, art, or similar field.
• Willingness to engage high school students in the safe use of tools in an OSHA-approved environment
• Some experience with welding, plasma cutting, and cold-forming metal. Milling and lathing are a bonus
• Some experience with CNC tools (we have laser cutters, CNC Plasma, CNC wood router, 3D printing and more)
• Some 3D modeling experience (Rhino preferred, but open to other experiences. Willing to train.)
• Love of collaboration
• Commitment to equity and inclusion with students and teachers of varying racial, gender, socioeconomic, and other core identifiers
• Flexibility, discipline, and patience when working with students aged 14-18 years
• An inherent desire to grow and innovate

Physical Requirements:

Applicants should be able to comfortably lift a minimum of 20 lbs of class supplies and materials, be on their feet for 2–3 hours on a concrete floor, and be able to sit and work at a computer for 2–3 hours at a time. At times, students and machines make the shop environment noisy—tolerance of medium to loud noise is recommended. General shop and material dust are common—applicants with allergies to these particles would likely find them challenging to manage