Library D.M.C. Lab Manager

Full-time exempt staff position in the Learning Resources department.

About the role

The Library Discover, Make, Create (D.M.C.) Lab Manager oversees the daily operations of the DMC Lab makerspace and recording studios in the William F. White Jr. Library, ensuring a safe, innovative, and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the library makerspace, ensuring a safe and innovative environment for students, faculty, and staff.
• Hire and supervise makerspace employees.
• Maintain and troubleshoot makerspace equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing/embroidery machines, and other emerging technologies.
• Develop and enforce makerspace policies, procedures, safety guidelines, and training requirements.
• Provide one-on-one and group instruction on makerspace technologies, software, and fabrication processes.
• Design and deliver workshops, orientations, and course-integrated instruction sessions related to digital fabrication, prototyping, and creative technologies.
• Manage equipment reservations, project consultations, and workflow scheduling.
• Monitor supply inventory (filament, materials, tools, safety equipment) and coordinate purchasing and budgeting needs.
• Stay current with trends in makerspace technologies and recommend new tools, software, and services to support academic programs.
• Collaborate with the eLearning Department to oversee operation and scheduling of recording studios.
• Provide technical assistance for video recording, audio capture, lighting setup, livestreaming, and post-production editing.
• Maintain and troubleshoot studio hardware and software (cameras, microphones, lighting systems, mixers, capture devices, editing software, etc.).
• Train student users on studio equipment, recording techniques, editing platforms (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, Camtasia), and media best practices.
• Develop instructional materials, guides, and tutorials for studio technologies.
• Support students in the creation of multimedia assignments.
• Ensure proper file management, storage solutions, and data retention practices.
• Provide point-of-need technology assistance for makerspace and studio users.
• Collaborate with librarians and faculty to integrate makerspace and multimedia resources into curriculum and assignments.
• Offer consultations for project design, digital storytelling, prototyping, and media production.
• Promote digital literacy, emerging technologies, and experiential learning initiatives.
• Develop and enforce safety protocols and provide mandatory safety training for specialized equipment.
• Maintain documentation for equipment usage, waivers, and incident reporting.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, copyright law, accessibility standards, and ADA guidelines in media production.
• Develop marketing materials and outreach strategies to promote makerspace and studio services.
• Plan and coordinate special events, demonstrations, showcases, and technology-themed programming.
• Build partnerships across academic departments to support interdisciplinary projects.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs on equipment.
• Coordinate with campus IT and Facilities for advanced technical support.
• Maintain usage statistics and generate reports assessing service impact and resource utilization.
• Contribute to strategic planning, assessment initiatives, and continuous improvement of technology services.
• Participate in professional organizations, training, and conferences related to makerspaces, instructional technology, and media production.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovations aligned with institutional goals.
• Travel to other campuses when needed; work nights and weekends on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as needed and as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Educational Technology, Library Technology, Media Production, Information Technology, Digital Media, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• One (1) year experience supporting instructional technologies, makerspaces, media labs, or studio production environments.
• Demonstrated experience operating and troubleshooting makerspace equipment (e.g., 3D printers, 3D scanners, laser cutters, large format plotters, sublimation printers, sewing machines, vinyl cutters, etc.) and/or video/audio recording equipment (cameras, lighting, microphones, mixers, capture devices).
• Experience with media production and editing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, Camtasia, Audacity, or similar platforms).
• Ability to provide instruction and training in both individual and group settings.
• Knowledge of safety standards and risk mitigation practices related to fabrication equipment and studio production environments.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to supporting an open-access student population.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and patiently to students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain equipment schedules, and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, librarians, IT staff, and campus partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory experience.
• Experience working in an academic library or higher education environment.
• Experience integrating makerspace or multimedia production into curriculum and course assignments.
• Certification or formal training in digital fabrication technologies (e.g., 3D modeling, CAD software such as Fusion 360, Tinkercad, SolidWorks).
• Experience supporting podcasting, livestreaming, green screen production, or advanced audio engineering workflows.
• Familiarity with copyright, fair use, Creative Commons licensing, and accessibility standards for multimedia content (e.g., captioning, ADA compliance).
• Experience purchasing supplies and maintaining equipment inventories.
• Experience developing workshops, tutorials, or online learning objects.

Pay

$52,772.00 - $67,285.50 per 12 months.

Culture

Del Mar College is committed to fostering a culture aligned with The Viking Way, which emphasizes respect, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. Employees are expected to contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating professionalism, supporting colleagues and students, and engaging in continuous learning and development. In support of the College’s Strategic Plan 2024–2029, Guiding Star III: Cultivate, all employees are encouraged to actively participate in opportunities that promote personal and professional growth, advance a culture of belonging, and strengthen the College’s ability to serve its students and community.