Slugworks Assistant Lab Manager

About the role

The Slugworks Facility Assistant Lab Manager supports the day-to-day operations of the Baskin Engineering creative/makerspace. The incumbent works collaboratively with the Slugworks Manager to maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-equipped environment for students engaging in experiential learning and project work.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Training Support
• Leads the "Training the Trainers" initiative by preparing and certifying student staff to safely supervise equipment areas and assist with peer training.
• Develops and conducts student-facing machine certifications and safety walkthroughs, ensuring all users demonstrate competency before accessing equipment independently.
• Supports the training and certification of users on low-to-moderate risk and higher-risk equipment.
• Helps maintain training records and access control systems, ensuring only authorized users operate equipment.
• Maintains training records and access control systems, ensuring only authorized users operate equipment.
• Monitors user activity to identify and address unsafe behaviors or practices in real time.
• Stays current on EH&S regulations and assists with compliance documentation, chemical inventory, and hazardous waste coordination.
• Student Staff Supervision & Mentorship
• Assists in interviewing, hiring, and onboarding student staff in collaboration with the Slugworks Manager.
• Provides direct supervision and mentorship to student workers, including shift coverage, task delegation, and performance feedback.
• Aids in student staff timesheet approval and monitors adherence to work schedules.
• Supports leadership development among student staff through informal mentorship and structured training opportunities.
• Fosters an inclusive, collaborative team environment that models excellent customer service and safety practices.
• Lab Operations & Equipment Management
• Shares responsibility for the day-to-day operational continuity of Slugworks.
• Conducts regular facility inspections to ensure equipment is functioning properly and the space remains clean, organized, and safe for users.
• Performs routine maintenance on tools and equipment and coordinates with vendors or BELS staff for complex repairs.
• Manages inventory of consumables, supplies, and personal protective equipment, placing orders as authorized and tracking expenditures.
• Ensures students and users properly clean, store, and dispose of materials after use, maintaining the facility in accordance with safety standards.
• Interfaces with Baskin Engineering Lab Support (BELS) staff, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), and Baskin Engineering Facilities as needed to support smooth operations and address maintenance or compliance issues.
• Serves as a key point of contact for daily operational questions and troubleshooting, reducing interruptions to the Slugworks Manager's workflow.
• Student Project Support & Collaboration
• Engages directly with diverse Slugworks user community.
• Provides engineering and design guidance to students, clubs, and project teams using the facility.
• Provides direct residential club oversight and space management, including coordinating storage allocations, project workspaces, and access for active student organizations.
• Assists student organizations with project logistics, tool access, general lab safety, and basic budgetary/procurement questions.
• Participates in quarterly stakeholder meetings with student groups, clubs, and instructional staff to gather feedback and identify operational improvements.
• Collaborates with other Baskin Engineering staff who support student clubs, particularly regarding campus event preparation, competition preparation, and travel logistics.
• Helps document and archive student projects to promote visibility and celebrate achievements within the Slugworks community.
• Outreach & Communication
• Contributes to the Slugworks' communication and resource coordination efforts.
• Helps track and map resources offered at Slugworks and other comparable on-campus or community facilities.
• Supports cross-campus collaboration on training approaches and shared resource initiatives.
• Participates in Slugworks Executive Planning Committee meetings and contributes to a cohesive, well-coordinated lab support environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Demonstrated experience with makerspace, machine shop, or teaching lab operations, including familiarity with common fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, mills, lathes, welding equipment, hand and power tools).
• Basic understanding of health and safety compliance regulations relevant to a makerspace environment (hazard communication, PPE, machine guarding, hazardous waste).
• Effective oral and written communication skills to interact with diverse users including students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize competing tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to independently address operational challenges.
• Customer service orientation with ability to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Experience supervising/mentoring students or junior staff.
• Familiarity with budget tracking and procurement processes.
• Proficiency with Windows and Macintosh operating systems, and willingness to learn new software platforms (Canvas, access control systems, inventory management tools).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small team.