STEPS Design Technology Specialist

Department: Design Facilities/Shops/Technology – Lexington, KY

Type: Temporary, full-time (40 hours per week)

About the role

The STEPS Design Technology Specialist supports the daily operations of the College of Design fabrication and digital output labs in the Gray Design Building. This position assists students, faculty, and staff in the safe and effective use of fabrication equipment and digital output technologies, while helping maintain an organized, safe, and well-managed lab environment. The role works closely with the Office of Design Technology team to ensure the labs operate efficiently and in alignment with College policies.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day operation of fabrication labs, digital output spaces, and related facilities.
• Provide basic support and guidance to students using fabrication tools and digital output equipment.
• Monitor lab activities to ensure safe operation of equipment and adherence to lab safety procedures.
• Assist with routine maintenance, cleaning, and organization of lab equipment and work areas.
• Help students prepare files and materials for fabrication processes including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, and large-format printing.
• Troubleshoot basic user issues related to equipment operation and digital workflows.
• Support the training and onboarding of students in appropriate lab procedures.
• Assist with management of the College’s student materials inventory and distribution systems.
• Support organization, storage, and tracking of commonly used materials in fabrication spaces.
• Coordinate and maintain the College of Design materials recycling and reuse program.
• Help sort, collect, and redistribute reusable materials to reduce waste and support sustainable practices.
• Assist with administration and enforcement of fabrication lab space policies and procedures.
• Monitor usage of lab spaces to ensure compliance with College guidelines.
• Support scheduling and coordination of shared lab spaces and fabrication resources.
• Help maintain clear organization and functional layout of lab work areas.
• Assist with organization and upkeep of shared lab environments.
• Report equipment issues, safety concerns, or facility needs to Design Technology staff.
• Support preparation of lab spaces for workshops, classes, and events.

Requirements

• Basic experience working with tools, fabrication equipment, or digital production technologies.
• Experience working in a collaborative environment such as a lab, workshop, or studio.
• Ability to lift and move materials up to approximately 40 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and work in fabrication spaces for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fabrication technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and large-format printers.
• Experience working in an academic lab, maker space, or fabrication environment.
• Familiarity with digital design tools such as Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar software.

Skills

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with students and faculty in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to follow and enforce safety procedures.
• Basic troubleshooting ability with digital equipment and fabrication tools.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills.

Pay

$20.00/hour

Schedule

• Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM