This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page.

Location: Work primarily takes place in North Campus Edmonton.

If you applied to competition# S107449028, please do not re-apply. Your previously submitted application will be considered.

Application Requirements

• Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter that outlines why you believe you are the right person for this position. Also, in your cover letter, please provide a detailed answer to the following question: "How will you contribute to a culture of trust, effectiveness, and execution in the Faculty of Engineering?" Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications received with a cover letter that does not specifically address these important items will also not be considered.
• Upload a Portfolio of your relevant projects

Working for the University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department/Faculty Summary

The Faculty of Engineering has established an open-access makerspace supporting design and fabrication prototyping in electronics, textiles, metal, wood, and plastic. The Elko Engineering Garage supports experiential and extracurricular learning of undergraduate and graduate students in the Faculty of Engineering, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and the broader University of Alberta student population. The Elko Engineering Garage is also part of a large Faculty of Engineering innovation ecosystem that supports early-stage companies in their prototyping fabrication activities by leveraging various equipment to reduce the barrier for iterative design and prototyping.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Garage Supervisor, the Garage Applications Specialist's primary responsibility is the independent management and technical oversight of assigned Garage capabilities, equipment procedures, and policies in providing technical and developmental expertise that enables the Garage to support the needs of its diverse community. Duties include providing equipment training, operation, programming development, equipment optimization/calibration, documentation, initial troubleshooting, and maintenance of Garage equipment, systems, and associated infrastructure. The Applications Specialist will also lead all training, technical expertise, and support for users accessing the Garage. The position will also provide educational support services for technical workshops offered through the Garage, fee-for-service work as assigned, and recommend, plan and implement operational and space improvements to increase the efficiency of various training sessions, services, equipment, and safety. This position will be the primary contact for technical and operational support on a day-to-day basis and is responsible for the safety of those within the Garage.

Duties

Working within the Elko Engineering Garage, the Applications Specialist will be assigned responsibilities and report to the Applications Supervisor for all aspects of the position as outlined below.

• Independently coordinates, schedules, communicates and provides operational, technical, and maintenance support of Garage equipment and processes to facility users through training, workshops, fee for service, and development of new procedures, operations, and processes.
• Assists the maker community in reviewing and assessing equipment capabilities for intended utilization, preparing processes for various builds, and determining the best Garage equipment set for achieving users' needs.
• Mentors Makers by introducing them to the space and providing resources.
• Suggests and implements, new designs, hardware, protocols, and procedures to expand Garage capabilities.
• Independently recommends, develops, performs, and documents optimization, calibration, and preventative maintenance protocols to maintain the operational readiness of assigned tools and necessary equipment.
• Independently develops, reviews, and modifies as required any documentation. Documentations include but are not limited to training checklists, training scripts, training videos, hazard assessments, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all equipment and systems to ensure optimal and repeatable utilization, outcomes, and processes.
• Responsible for analyzing and processing data and building through appropriate methods and best practices to ensure the overall success of service mandate. 
• Documents and maintains accurate and timely records of maintenance and operational use of equipment, systems, infrastructure, and processes through group digital management systems. 
• Responsible for monitoring, identifying, reviewing, and recommending safety protocols and setting up administrative and engineering controls to maximize safety and safe operations in the Garage. 
• Recommends and monitors inventory for consumables, sundries, supplies, and resale items, ensuring well-stocked and timely orders. 
• Provides technical and in-depth explanations to users of systems, techniques, processes, and equipment; verbally, through presentations and prepared documents, as needed or assigned.
• Independently responsible for performing or scheduling all aspects of routine and random maintenance and repairs of Garage equipment and infrastructure. 
• Other duties as required and assigned by Garage management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering
• Registered or able to be registered as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) through APEGA
• Demonstrated knowledge and hands-on experience with one or more of the following fabrication groups; CAD, CAM, PCB, metalworking, woodworking, rapid prototyping, electronics, textiles, plastics, and CNC
• Proven experience working in the open access machine shops or makerspace environments
• Experience teaching or training others one-on-one or in group settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills for working within a technical and fast-paced team environment
• Demonstrated training experience and developing hazard safety assessments
• Demonstrated computer proficiency and high degrees of verbal and written communications
• 2 years experience with Fusion 360, Solidworks, or equivalent
• Previous experience using Garage equipment is considered an asset
• Customer service experience