Required Position
Full-Time Temporary Appointment until April 28, 2028 THIS POSITION IS DESIGNATED AS ONE THAT MAY REQUIRE A DIFFERENT WORK WEEK AND/OR HOURS OF WORK.
Responsibilities
Vacancy Status: Existing position
Reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Architecture, the Fabrication Laboratory Technologist is responsible for ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained, is operated safely, and that all users comply with relevant health and safety standards. This role also involves training and assisting students, faculty and staff in the safe operation of relevant equipment, with material selection, and offering guidance on fabrication best practices to ensure high-quality outcomes and safe learning.
Ensuring a clean and safe work environment for students and faculty;
Ensuring that a “safety first” work environment is provided via:
Annual Orientation & Safety sessions for all who work in the Fab Labs;
Liaising with Occupational Health and Safety;
Training, observation, monitoring and assistance of all students;
Training and assistance of all faculty;
Training and supervision of Fab Lab assistants;
Transfer of experience-based trade knowledge regarding wood craft and wood products;
Maintaining signage and machine safety features;
Ensuring that safe occupancy level is not exceeded;
Coordination and communication with McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA) Director and Faculty regarding the pedagogical needs for courses. Discusses with faculty regarding the course curriculum’s technical needs.
Coordination with the McEwen School of Architecture Faculty for the tool-training schedule for each academic year.
Coordination with Fabrication Lab technologists and assistants for the tool-training of students and faculty – through in-person sessions and video tutorials.
Coordination with Digital Fabrication technologist, Fabrication Lab technologists and Fab Lab assistants the maintenance of the Fabrication Lab D2L page which includes, but is not limited to the: evaluation of tool-training, shop policies and other relevant information.
Coordination with Fabrication Lab technologists and Fabrication Lab assistants the inventory, sale and tracking of relevant shop materials through the Point Of Sale (POS) system and maintenance of recycled free materials area of the MSoA Fabrication shop; reporting to MSoA Director inventory needs at the beginning of each academic year and sales report at the end of each academic year.
Setting a standard of high-quality craft, whether that be through model building, installations, object making or full-scale building.
Setting and maintaining a supportive, positive, collegial tone in the Fabrication Lab.
Providing assistance with course, studio and project needs and providing technical expertise relating to the various machines and hand tools.
Providing encouragement to students and faculty who are new or unfamiliar to experience based ‘hands-on’ learning.
Assists in the preparation of teaching aids (i.e tool training) and materials for student projects, including measuring and cutting down materials for course projects. Recommends, designs and constructs jigs and fixtures for machinery and assembly processes. Constructs storage units for materials when needed.
Support faculty members’ research needs; supports research on current or new materials and/or equipment and evaluates feasibility within the workshop. Advises faculty in determining approaches and methodology relating to the technical aspects of their research, as well as in determining appropriate materials.
Assisting students with project design criteria with regard to multiple solutions, taking into account each student’s skill-set and technical limitations via:
Explanation and/or demonstration of specific equipment;
Detailing of materials and hardware/fasteners available;
General mentoring to provide a constructive and safe learning experience;
Ensuring that all machinery and equipment in the McEwen School of Architecture Fabrication Lab and spaces functions correctly and safely via:
Regular inspections by the Technologist;
Alerting Facility Services to any deficiencies;
Performing or scheduling repairs/maintenance as required;
Maintaining Fabrication Lab inventory of tooling, fasteners and miscellaneous shop supplies via:
Preparation of regular inventory reports to monitor inventory levels, and reports to the Director. Takes the lead in conducting a yearly workshop inventory review.
Preparing procurement forms for signing by the Director, McEwen School of Architecture;
Liaising with McEwen School of Architecture faculty in the ordering of materials required for design projects, and coordinating payments;
Managing the production of furniture, cabinets, and other construction activities in the building, particularly in the studios:
Order materials and maintain an inventory for design-build and design studio projects;
Liaise with Facility Services in coordinating repairs/replacements for furnishings;
Perform other duties directly related to this position as assigned in coordination with the McEwen School of Architecture Director (i.e. assists in the execution of MSoA events, etc.)
Provide service as a voting member of the MSoA Making Committee, as per school constitution.
Coordination of work schedule to reflect MSoA course needs.
Qualifications
Three (3) year College Diploma with a preferred education of a University Degree in Architecture or Design.
One (1) to three (3) years of experience with architecture digital software related to shop fabrication tools (eg. Rhino, Autocad, etc.)
Teaching experience through mentorship and/or institutional experience.
Up to date First aid training: Advanced, Standard and Emergency.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and graphic), applicable to diverse groups, including a wide range and background of students, staff and faculty.
Good judgement regarding students and their abilities; and has the capacity to work closely with students of varying capabilities, personalities and levels of maturity and experience.
Organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills in design and in making.
Ability to maintain attention to detail in a fast paced, multi-tasking environment.
Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities without losing focus.
Ordering, tracking and maintaining a supply inventory for a shop, including managing of a shop budget.
Ability to read architectural drawings as well as communicate graphically with students;
Expertise in a broad spectrum of skills related manufacturing/fabrication trades, with an emphasis on designing or crafting with wood.
Emphasize environmental awareness and stewardship through individual and professional critical practice.
Ability to work fluently (verbal and written) in both official languages, French and English, is required.
***We are aware that some applicants are experiencing difficulty using our careers portal. Should you complete an application through our online form and receive an error, please submit your application to
[email protected]***
The official University hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during, and including, the months from September to April, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday during and including May to August., amounting to thirty-three and three-quarter (33.75) hours per week.
At Laurentian University, we recognize that work-life balance is essential for both personal well-being and professional success. Our policy offers employees some flexibility to better balance personal needs while maintaining effective service delivery.
Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community committed to employment equity. Applications are encouraged from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. Laurentian University’s bilingualism policy provides a provision regarding the language requirement for persons self-identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources for more information (
[email protected]).
