Are you an experienced, hands on professional who enjoys helping students create, build, and innovate? The Student Innovation Center is seeking a Building Services Specialist II (Shop Supervisor) to support the daily operations of our Metals and Woods Makerspace. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about safety, skilled in fabrication and shop environments, and excited to work with students, faculty, and staff.

The Metals and Woods Makerspace supports personal, club, research, and course related projects and provides access to a wide range of fabrication equipment. The space includes metalworking equipment such as mills, lathes, drill presses, bandsaws, MIG and TIG welders, and other fabrication tools, as well as woodworking equipment including table saws, miter saws, bandsaws, lathes, sanders, and hand tools.

In this role, you will help create a safe, welcoming, and collaborative environment where students can develop hands on skills, complete projects, and bring their ideas to life.

What You'll Do

This position focuses on three primary areas: makerspace operations, equipment management, and customer support.

Makerspace Operations

• Coordinate the day to day operations of the Metals and Woods Makerspace.
• Train and supervise students, faculty, staff, and student employees on the safe operation of tools and equipment.
• Implement and enforce shop safety standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Support course, research, club, and individual project needs.
• Maintain training records, equipment documentation, and operational records.
• Help ensure the makerspace remains safe, organized, accessible, and welcoming for all users.

Equipment Management

• Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on metalworking and woodworking equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and functional makerspace environment.
• Assist with inventory management, equipment setup, and supply ordering.
• Develop and improve equipment training materials, standard operating procedures, and shop practices.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for makerspace users and fabrication projects.
• Ensure the safety and security of equipment, facilities, and users.

Customer Service and Engagement

• Create an environment that encourages learning, creativity, collaboration, and safe equipment use.
• Build positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Support workshops, demonstrations, events, and outreach activities that showcase the Student Innovation Center.
• Provide excellent customer service and technical support to makerspace users.
• Communicate effectively with managers, stakeholders, and users at all levels.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate is a self starter who values safety, enjoys working with people, and takes pride in maintaining a well run shop environment. They are comfortable teaching others, solving problems, and supporting a wide variety of projects.

Strong candidates will have experience working with metalworking and woodworking equipment and fabrication processes, along with the ability to learn new equipment and technologies. They will demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to build positive relationships with community of makerspace users.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising employees or students in a shop, laboratory, makerspace, or similar environment.
• Experience developing, implementing, and enforcing safety procedures and standard operating procedures for equipment use.
• Experience providing customer service or technical support in a hands on environment.
• Experience operating, setting up, or training users on fabrication equipment such as mills, lathes, welders, drill presses, bandsaws, table saws, sanders, CNC equipment, or additive manufacturing equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, or repairing shop, laboratory, or makerspace equipment.

Additional Information

• This position is located on site in the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University.
• The work schedule is Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with scheduled 30 minute breaks at noon and 5:30 p.m.
• Regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners is expected.
• Work is performed in an active makerspace environment and requires adherence to established safety standards, training requirements, and operating procedures.

About the Student Innovation Center

The Student Innovation Center is a campus wide hub for creativity, collaboration, and experiential learning. The center provides access to makerspaces, tools, equipment, and programming that empower students to explore ideas and bring them to life. Staff play an important role in fostering an inclusive and innovative environment that supports student success and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Experience supervising employees or students in a shop, lab, or makerspace environment
• Experience developing, implementing, and enforcing safety procedures and standard operating procedures for equipment use
• Experience providing customer service or technical support to students, faculty, or staff in a hands on environment
• Experience setting up, programming, and operating fabrication equipment such as CNC machines, woodshop tools, metalworking equipment, or additive manufacturing equipment
• Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, or repairing shop, lab, or makerspace equipment