JOB TITLE: Wood Shop Specialist
JOB POSTED: July 22, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Visible Futures Lab (VFL)
REPORTS TO: Director, Visible Futures Lab
SCHEDULE: This position is 35 hours per week. Standard shifts are Monday–Friday from either 10:00 AM–6:00 PM or 2:00 PM–10:00 PM, and 12:00 PM–8:00 PM on weekends. Some evening and weekend shifts are required. Specific hours will be set each semester.
COMPENSATION: $60,000 annually
FLSA STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Director, the Wood Shop Specialist supports the daily operations, safety, and instructional goals of the Visible Futures Lab (VFL). This role involves maintaining equipment, advising users on best practices, and assisting with training, orientation, and events in the VFL. The Wood Shop Specialist plays a key role in ensuring the VFL is a productive, safe, and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The VFL is dedicated to providing SVA MFA students with the tools and support necessary to fabricate work across a broad range of methods and materials. Consisting of a makerspace, workshop and digital fabrication facilities, the VFL's tool inventory ranges from traditional hand tools and workshop machinery to advanced 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and 2D printers for a variety of substrates and applications. The VFL supports artists and designers in varied areas of professional study to explore the boundaries of contemporary art & design craft work that advances real change. More information can be found here: www.vfl.sva.edu/.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in areas such as Art, Design, technology-based fields, or a related discipline.
A minimum of 6 years of experience with woodshop fabrication tools.
Demonstrated proficiency with and passion for hand woodworking.
Demonstrated proficiency with basic carpentry and cabinet making.
Demonstrated fastidiousness with shop organization and cleaning.
Strong proficiency with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Some experience with model shop materials such as foam and acrylic.
Some experience with or a willingness to learn 3D modeling software applications, CNC milling, digital fabrication tools such as 3D printing and laser cutting.
Teaching experience and/or interest in teaching courses in area of expertise required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is 35 hours per week. Standard shifts are Monday–Friday from either 10:00 AM–6:00 PM or 2:00 PM–10:00 PM, and 12:00 PM–8:00 PM on weekends. Some evening and weekend shifts are required. Specific hours will be set each semester.
This is a fully onsite position, requiring in-person attendance at our designated work location. Remote work is not permitted for this role.
Visible Futures Lab operational hours:
Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday to Sunday, 12:00 - 8:00 pm
Ability to perform physical tasks, such as standing for long periods of time, walking, lifting, and carrying items up to 20 lbs.
Exposure to large equipment and fabrication tools (standard hand/power/woodshop tools), requiring adherence to safety protocols.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To be considered for this position, candidates must submit the following to the job posting:
Resume
Cover Letter
Portfolio or sample images demonstrating an ability to create working, complex, and diversified fabrication projects.
WORKING AT SVA
School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for more than seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising over 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 41,000 alumni from 128 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For more information about the College's 31 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and Continuing Education division, visit sva.edu.
Learn more about working at SVA.
The School of Visual Arts is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of the College. SVA enjoys a community that represents a significant number of historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, diverse abilities, and foreign countries, and all are encouraged to apply.
About Us
School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for more than seven decades.
With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility.
