Design Lab Education Technician - The Possible Zone

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Possible Zone (TPZ), a nonprofit organization, seeks a Design Lab Education Technician to support TPZ’s four classroom Design Labs. The ideal candidate has a strong track record of maker education and is passionate about closing the opportunity gap. This is an on-site role based in our Boston Innovation Center, with the expectation of working 5 days per week in our Boston office.

Making, design thinking, and STEAM education are deeply embedded within The Possible Zone’s entrepreneurship and social enterprise programs. The Design Lab Education Technician will serve as dedicated caretaker and in-house expert for our four classroom Design Labs, overseeing maintenance, safety protocols, tutorial development, troubleshooting, and training. These Design Labs are used primarily by our entrepreneurship students and their educators as they design and fabricate product prototypes aligned with their areas of interest. Each Design Lab is equipped with desktop fabrication tools, including a Glowforge laser cutter, Nomad 3 milling machine, Cricut vinyl cutter, sewing machines, desktop fume hood, laptops, and iPads, as well as shared access to two direct to garment printers and a 3D printer farm. TPZ’s Design Lab equipment primarily employs Adobe Illustrator for 2D design and TinkerCAD for 3D design.

The Design Lab Education Technician will be responsible for ensuring our educators have the training and resources they need to use the Design Lab equipment independently and will assist educators as they scope students’ projects. Additional responsibilities include leading workshops and creative sessions, developing tutorials for fun Design Lab projects to inspire students, providing hands-on assistance in classes to offer direct support to students, and mentoring students, staff, and community members in bringing their creative visions to life.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as passionate and dedicated care-taker of TPZ’s Design Lab equipment, tools, and related resources, including oversight of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance; troubleshooting; and coordination with equipment manufacturers for servicing;
• Create, implement, and enforce safety protocols for Design Lab equipment including hand tools, blades, Glowforge laser cutters, Nomad milling machines, Cricut vinyl cutters, sewing machines, and desktop fume hoods;
• Cross-collaborate with other TPZ technicians, Fab Lab Manager, and STEAM and Program teams to help shape interdisciplinary projects and curricula;
• Provide direct support to students and educators in TPZ’s entrepreneurship and deep dive classes;
• Develop documentation, tutorials, guides, trainings, and workshops utilizing TPZ’s Design Lab equipment and associated design software;
• In collaboration with Fab Lab Manager, develop and implement training and certification for Design Lab equipment;
• Consult with students and educators about design and fabrication approaches and processes;
• Train and oversee student assistants and TAs;
• Oversee related inventory, maintenance tracking, user credentialing, and small equipment check-in/check-out;
• In collaboration with members of the STEAM team, teach workshops and classes for staff, students, community members and other stakeholders;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• And other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3 years experience working with digital fabrication equipment and design software
• Prior teaching/mentoring experience in a makerspace environment
• Prior experience making with creative technologies beyond the Design Lab, including creative coding, electronics, embroidery, and/or large-format printing and machining
• Ability to quickly learn new pieces of technology, including digital fabrication equipment and design software
• Ability to work with a diverse audience of varying numbers and experience levels
• Creative spirit and collaborative nature
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and troubleshoot in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Very high attention to detail
• Fluency with Adobe Illustrator and TinkerCAD
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Passion for and understanding of the mission and vision of TPZ
• Commitment to live the values of Diversity, Equity and inclusion (see Statement below)
• Bilingual in Spanish, Portuguese, or Hatian Creole a plus

DEI Statement:

We believe every member of our team and student body deserves opportunities for growth, success and inclusion. We recognize that for many of our students, staff and communities, their life journeys run through oppressive structures and systems (e.g. classism, racism, sexism) — and that’s what makes our organizational culture and work so necessary and important.

We believe that diversity in perspective, backgrounds, ethnicities and lived experience is a strength, and from that strength, we can accomplish great things with the students we serve. Together as students, staff, organizations, communities, volunteers, and partners, we are intentional about creating safe spaces where all members can speak authentically and be themselves.

We are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. As members of The Possible Zone community, our progression along this ongoing journey raises thoughtful questions, reveals biases, and opens conversations. We celebrate one another and are unified in our commitment to young people, excellence, and innovation. This work is our shared responsibility and our opportunity to welcome all members who share in our mission and strive to provide pathways that further prepare students in achieving their desired success.

COVID Vaccination Policy:

The Possible Zone is requiring that all employees receive a primary series of COVID-19 vaccination as well as a booster dose. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen, and receives a booster dose when eligible. In order to be qualified for employment at The Possible Zone, final candidates must comply with the vaccination requirement or receive an approved exemption.

ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ZONE:

What if all young people could follow their dreams?  What if they had the opportunity to design and launch a company or social-venture they were passionate about? What if they knew what an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, industrial designer, data scientist, marketing executive, electrical engineer, biotech researcher, advanced manufacturer, roboticist, game designer, journalist, nonprofit leader or mayor does and why?  What if they were given the opportunity to intern in these positions and work settings while still in high school? And what if they had the chance to learn the foundational professional and technical skills needed to succeed in any of these careers? And very importantly, what if they develop a mindset, where their imagination and creativity can be fully explored, where everything is possible and where no boundaries exist? Would young people believe they could pursue these careers or any others they choose?  Would they become what they had dreamed? 

At The Possible Zone, our resounding answer is YES!  We are on a journey to develop a transformative model and facility in the heart of Boston’s most diverse and youth-populated communities.

TPZ is an eleven-year-old non-profit organization that has served well over 1,000 students with programming, internships and advisory services during high school toward the mission of economic equity. Our program has demonstrated strong impact in terms of high school graduation, matriculation into post-secondary education and careers, and strong Social Emotional Learning and Identity Development.  As we further expand into Boston, TPZ Programming will catalyze a Boston Community Ecosystem that will include students, parents, high schools, community organizations, large corporations, local entrepreneurs, technology companies, venture capitalists, and postsecondary education institutions. Our intent is to join and continue to enhance a Student Ecosystem in Jackson Square and surrounding communities that are similar to those that have emerged in other Greater Boston areas such as Kendall Square and the Seaport District.  Collectively we will dream, learn, work, and ultimately create leadership opportunities for economic mobility and prosperity for our students and their surrounding community. Importantly, TPZ is highly committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do.  And as we establish success in our Boston Headquarters, we will scale our efforts to replicate TPZ’s blueprint at a National level. 

We envision a program and space that serves tens-of-thousands of students over the next decade(s).  When a student enters the program, they will be

… greeted, coached, taught, counseled and supported by highly trained, caring staff and partners in entrepreneurship and business, leadership and team building, passion and perseverance, learning and accountability and empathy and integrity.

… challenged to pursue their passions and launch ventures in everything from electronics, software, digital media, services, fashion, food, to consumer goods

… equipped with the life skills essential to thrive in the emerging economy

… building social networks through connection to professional mentoring and internships with hundreds of local companies

… supported when needed through wrap-around services in academic tutoring, ESL, mental health, food security, and college success by partner organizations 

Ultimately, through their experiences and growth at TPZ, and with our partners, our students will be prepared and inspired to attend college, alternative post-secondary education and launch careers in their community, where they will pursue their passions in business, STEAM, Community and Entrepreneurial organizations.

Our students - all students - deserve to pursue their passions and achieve economic equity.

CURRENT SCALING (WHAT’S NEXT?)

TPZ recently opened a 35,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center that can serve up to 1,000 students annually. The organization employs 60 professionals with plans to grow significantly in Boston and beyond in the coming years. TPZ offers a strong professional development ethos; a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, innovative curriculum & pedagogy, and a commitment to excellence and student impact.

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