Creative Technologist

Date Posted	March 27, 2024
Industry	Other Teaching Jobs
STEM Focus	Technology, Engineering
Certification Needed	Not Applicable
Required Education	Associate's Degree
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	Hiring Range: $28.92-$32.49 per hour
Website	https://boulderlibrary.org/

Description:

BLDG 61 is a nationally renowned, free community workshop within the Main Boulder Library (part of the Boulder Public Library District, or BPLD) that provides maker education and technology to the public in a creative and inclusive environment. The makerspace regularly hosts workshops, programs, and special events.  

Check out some recent projects and programs: https://www.instagram.com/bldg61/ .   

The BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community by providing accessible programs, print and digital materials, tools and technology, and educational opportunities. Across our five current locations, we are proud to offer resources such as a makerspace, art galleries, outdoor learning areas, a multimedia local history archive, community literacy programs, and a theater. BPLD strives to be a safe and welcoming place to all staff and patrons alike. Through outreach, community partnerships, and volunteer-driven programs, we seek to adapt our services to those who may experience barriers to visiting our physical locations.   

We circulate more than 1.5 million items annually, but we believe that a library is more than a place to borrow free materials. As a vital civic space, we provide opportunities for our more than 500,000 yearly visitors to study, host meetings, be introduced to new people or experiences, and connect to essential local services. 

Our employees are part of a vibrant, uplifting workplace culture that honors the joy and commitment of meaningful public service, while still caring for the needs of the individual.  Our work is highly collaborative, adaptive, inquisitive, and is always on-going. We are passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences and we are dedicated to our mission of connecting people, ideas and information to transform lives and strengthen our community.  

This position is a full-time, 40-hour per week position that will have the opportunity to work in BLDG 61 at the Main Library as well as the brand-new makerspace Studio 24 in North Boulder (NoBo Library). Studio 24 will be opening in June 2024.  

This role will be required to work evenings and weekends based on community needs. 

Job Summary:

The Creative Technologist programs the library’s makerspace and works directly with patrons of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The Creative Technologist maintains the facility and its resources in good working order; designs and delivers special programs; provides instruction and teaches patrons on using the facility’s materials, tools, and equipment safely; and coaches makers through projects. This position also partners with creatives in the community on maker events and trains volunteers to assist in the makerspace.  

We are looking for someone who is a skilled and creative maker with a passion for public service, STEAM education, and community building. They will be pivotal in creating welcoming and educational experiences for people from diverse communities.   

Essential Functions:

• Designs, promotes, teaches, and evaluates makerspace programs for the public. Collaborates with local area artists, makers, business owners, and entrepreneurs on programs and outreach events. (30%) 
• Provides one-on-one coaching for individuals’ projects and safety and equipment training for makerspace users. (20%) 
• Provides regular maintenance and cleaning of the facility and its tools and equipment; repairs or replaces malfunctioning equipment promptly. (20%) 
• Coordinates with Volunteer Services for recruiting and orientation of volunteers to assist the public in the makerspace. (15%) 
• Creates and documents application and systems standards, maintenance procedures, and operational procedures and maintains an inventory of equipment and software. Purchases tools and materials for classes and general use. (15%) 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Dreams up additional creative uses and programs for the makerspace. 
• Serves as a maker/STEAM resource for library staff. Attends meetings, serves on library-wide committees and projects, and participates in professional development opportunities. 
• Performs administrative tasks such as answering emails, scheduling, preparing vendor contracts, reconciling purchases, and reporting statistics.  
• Completes safety/emergency training (on CPR, AED, etc.). 
• Serves as a Manager on Duty at Library as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Instructional experience in a makerspace or similar educational setting –or- a Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience and two years of technical training with instructional experience. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide one-on-one and small group instruction. 
• Comfortable with a hands-on approach to projects, particularly an ability to improvise with audiences of varied ages and abilities. 
• Valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable motor vehicle record. Willing use of personal vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed).   

Preferred Qualifications:

Because we are hiring 4 positions and building out a diverse team, please apply if you meet many but not all these requirements.  

• Experience using and troubleshooting two or more of the following technologies: laser cutting and engraving, 3D printing and scanning, digital design software or CAD, fiber arts, printmaking, CNC fabrication or other related makerspace technologies.  
• Experience with digital and traditional fabrication and supporting various software suites including Microsoft Office and Adobe CC. 
• Spanish language skills and/or experience working with patrons from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. 
• Experience operating woodworking equipment such as power tools, table saw, drill press, bandsaw, hand tools, and associated materials. 
• Experience using microcontroller prototyping platforms such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, CircuitPython, or Micro:bit. 
• Experience creating video, web, and social media content. 
• Experience with fiber and textile arts: knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, sewing, quilting, crocheting, embroidery, etc. 
• Experience with other disciplines: printmaking, painting, illustration, metalwork, stained glass, sculpture, papercraft, etc. 
• Experience developing and running a mobile library or makerspace. 

Working Conditions:

Works primarily in workshop environment subject to background noise from machinery. Use of personal protective equipment is required in some situations. Requires ability to stand and/or walk continuously. Frequent bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling and circling all part of the normal requirement for fabrication in the makerspace. Ability to do the above with a maximum of 50 lbs. individually. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/or operating a keyboard. Seeing, hearing, and speaking required. 

Machines and equipment used include but are not limited to the following: Computer workstations, servers, network hardware, scanners, printers, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, power tools, hand tools, sewing machines, and looms.

Health and Wellness Benefits:

• Group medical, dental and vision benefits to employees who work 20 hours or more per week 
• Lifestyle Spending Account for all benefit-eligible employees 
• Employer paid basic life and long-term disability insurance 
• Employer paid employee assistance program for employees and their household members 
• Health Savings or Flexible Spending Accounts for all benefit-eligible employees 
• Voluntary, employee paid, group accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity plans for all benefit-eligible employees 
• Employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care 
• Infant at Work Program 

Time-off Benefits:

• New employees accrue 4 weeks paid vacation  
• 80 hours of paid sick leave per year for employees who work 20 hours or more per week 
• 2 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays 
• Time off for jury duty, bereavement and voting 
• Pet adoption leave 
• New grandparent leave 

Helping Your Future:

• Public Employee Retirement Association of Colorado (PERA) Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan 
• PERA 401(k) Plan 
• Tuition reimbursement program and student debt repayment assistance 
• Paid training and professional development  

Library Perks: 

Easy access to unlimited resources—including books, movies, programs, digital technology and more. 

Hiring Range: $28.92-$32.49 per hour