Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager

30% - Makerspace Operations and Oversight 

The Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager oversees the daily functioning of the space, ensuring it is approachable, well-supported, and ready for use by a wide range of students, including those with no prior experience. This includes maintaining tools, equipment, and materials while establishing clear, consistent systems that make participation straightforward. The role focuses on reducing friction through intuitive processes, transparent expectations, and right-sized safety practices, while managing supplies, scheduling, and real-time user support. Attention to both operations and user experience helps sustain a space that invites exploration, lowers intimidation, and encourages independent engagement. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage daily operations, access, and front-line user support 

• Maintain tools, equipment, and materials for reliability and usability 

• Implement clear, accessible safety and training practices 

• Oversee inventory, purchasing, and supply systems 

• Coordinate space usage and improve ease of participation 

25% - Mentorship and Supervision 

The Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager develops and sustains a student-centered staffing model that is essential to both the operations and culture of the space. Student staff are not only operators, but peer educators and community builders. This role includes recruiting, training, and supervising a team of student employees who support others in navigating tools, processes, and creative work. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ confidence, judgment, and ability to support peers from a wide range of backgrounds. Through structured training and ongoing mentorship, the Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager fosters a collaborative team culture grounded in care, shared responsibility, and continuous learning. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Recruit, train, and supervise student staff 

• Develop onboarding and ongoing training for technical and facilitation skills 

• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team environment 

• Mentor students in peer support and user engagement 

• Create leadership pathways for returning staff 

20% - Community Building and Outreach 

The Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager contributes to a culture that centers belonging, creative exploration, and broad participation. This includes developing programming that invites experimentation, play, and connection, particularly for students who may not initially see themselves as “makers.” In collaboration with the Manager, the role supports relationships with student organizations and campus partners to expand engagement and ensure the space reflects a wide range of identities and creative practices. Through outreach, events, and communications, the Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager helps position the makerspace as an open, inclusive environment where students are encouraged to explore, take risks, and grow. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop programs that encourage creativity, exploration, and connection 

• Support relationships with student groups and partners in collaboration with the Manager 

• Create accessible entry points for new and underrepresented users 

• Promote an inclusive, multidisciplinary understanding of making 

• Contribute to outreach and engagement efforts 

20% - Academic and Institutional Support 

Working in collaboration with the Manager, Library Makerspaces, the Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager supports the integration of making into teaching and learning across disciplines. This includes assisting faculty in developing makerspace-based assignments and translating course goals into hands-on activities that emphasize exploration, process, and creative inquiry. The role contributes to workshops and instructional sessions and develops materials that help students engage meaningfully with tools and creative practices. In coordination with the Manager, the role also supports partnerships with campus units that expand experiential learning and invite broader participation in making as a form of inquiry and expression. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support faculty collaboration on makerspace-based assignments and projects 

• Translate learning goals into hands-on, student-centered activities 

• Design and deliver workshops or instructional sessions 

• Develop instructional resources and documentation 

• Participate in campus partnerships in coordination with the Manager 

MARGINAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

5% - Other Duties as Assigned 

•      Remain knowledgeable and informed about trends in experiential learning and makerspace technologies 

•      Attend Library/division/department meetings 

•      Contribute to Library committees and working groups as assigned 

•      Perform other duties as needed 

WORK SCHEDULE 

Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm. Makerspace events may take place outside regular working hours, requiring some schedule flexibility. To serve a year-round academic community, the library is open some legal or university holidays and staff may be required to work a full or partial shift on such days. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

Specific Knowledge and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques related to maker practice and experiential learning. 

• Knowledge and skills related to sewing, fashion, fabric arts, and/or textile design. 

• Knowledge and skills in a variety of craft and maker processes and technologies. 

• Ability to plan, organize, and schedule activities. 

• Ability to operate maker equipment and tools.  

• Ability to maintain usage data and information.  

• Ability to adjust and perform simple maintenance of technical equipment.   

Ability to lift, push, and pull 40 pounds.  

Willingness to accept and support the mission of Seattle University and its commitment to the vision and values of Jesuit and Catholic higher education.  

Ability to work a flexible schedule that may involve evenings and weekends as needed. 

This position requires a background check of criminal history. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Two or more years’ previous experience working in higher education academic makerspaces, libraries, media, or technology centers. 

• Experience with crafting, woodworking, or bicycle repair and maintenance. 

• Experience with intermediate electronics (circuit boards, Arduinos/Raspberry Pi, IoT devices, etc.). 

• Experience with the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the maker movement. 

• Ability to deliver training and instruction to users with different experience levels and cultural backgrounds. 

• Experience leading the work of students.