Visual Arts Technician - Foundations Programs

Employee Classification: Visual Arts Technician | Campus: University of North Texas, Denton | Salary: $39,600 | FTE: 1.000000 | Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us

The University of North Texas System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, employing over 14,000 employees and educating over 49,000 students. We champion a people-first values-based culture focused on excellence, curiosity, innovation, and transforming lives through education.

Department Summary

The Foundations program is the gateway and first-year experience for all incoming students in the College of Visual Art and Design (CVAD) at the University of North Texas. It introduces visual problem-solving, critical-thinking strategies, and professional practices across art and design disciplines. The curriculum is conceptually driven, skills-based, and experiential, preparing students for rigorous college courses in visual art, design, art education, and art history. Faculty are accomplished artists and designers with active national and international studio practices.

About the Role

This position provides technical support, equipment maintenance, and safety oversight for academic shop and classroom studio operations. It involves assisting and instructing students and faculty on proper equipment use and effective studio practices, as well as supporting curriculum, classroom, and programmatic needs for the CVAD Foundations Programs. The role works closely with the Foundations Coordinator on ongoing programmatic support.

Responsibilities

• Studio Operations, Safety, and Instructional Support: Provides operational support for Foundations classes and studios to ensure safe, efficient, and effective instructional environments. Maintains compliance with university and college health and safety standards; oversees classroom readiness, equipment maintenance, tool checkout systems, and instructional resources; and provides technical and logistical support to faculty, graduate teaching assistants, adjunct faculty, student employees, and students.
• Program Operations and Academic Support: Coordinates operational activities supporting the Foundations curriculum and instructional mission. Maintains shared program resources, digital instructional materials, and standardized documentation using platforms like Canvas, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Collaborates with program leadership to implement policies, procedures, instructor resources, orientations, and initiatives for consistent course delivery.
• Records Management, Assessment, and Documentation: Develops and maintains systems for program documentation, record retention, assessment materials, and digital archives in accordance with university and college requirements. Coordinates semester collection of instructional records and student outcome documentation while ensuring organized and accessible program resources for accreditation, assessment, and historical reference.
• Budget, Purchasing, Inventory, and Resource Management: Coordinates purchasing and inventory management for instructional equipment, supplies, and classroom materials. Maintains inventory systems; develops workflows for replenishment and lifecycle management; processes purchases using university procurement systems (e.g., PCard, SAP Concur); and assists program leadership with budget planning and resource allocation.
• Administrative Coordination and Program Communications: Provides administrative support for daily program operations, including coordinating instructor office hours, locker assignments, internal communications, scheduling logistics, and other operational processes. Assists with onboarding new instructors, supervising student employees, coordinating information between faculty and staff, and supporting special projects, exhibitions, and program events.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs additional related duties supporting the operational, instructional, and strategic needs of the Foundations Program, Department, College, and University.

Requirements

• Associate's degree and two years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Skill in utilization and maintenance of equipment or machinery related to the area of assignment.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work for self and others.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with colleagues, coworkers, and constituents.
• Knowledge of safety and security practices related to the area of assignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA in Studio Art, Design, or related fields.
• Prior experience in curriculum and classroom support.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

This is a security-sensitive position. Ability to drive a university vehicle is required.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and similar structures.
• Lifting and moving objects up to 50 pounds.
• Operating machinery and/or power tools.
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Repeating motions involving the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing.

Environmental Hazards

• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Elevated temperatures.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM