Creative Technologist

BLDG 61 and STUDIO 24 are nationally renowned, free community workshops within the Boulder Public Library District (BPLD) that provide maker education and technology to the public in a creative and inclusive environment. The makerspaces regularly host workshops, programs, and special events. 

Check out some recent projects and programs: https://www.instagram.com/bldg61/ .

The BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community by providing accessible programs, print and digital materials, tools and technology, and educational opportunities. Across our five current locations, we are proud to offer resources such as a makerspace, art galleries, outdoor learning areas, a multimedia local history archive, community literacy programs, and a theater. BPLD strives to be a safe and welcoming place to all staff and patrons alike. Through outreach, community partnerships, and volunteer-driven programs, we seek to adapt our services to those who may experience barriers to visiting our physical locations.

We circulate more than 1.5 million items annually, but we believe that a library is more than a place to borrow free materials. As a vital civic space, we provide opportunities for our more than 500,000 yearly visitors to study, host meetings, meet new people or try new experiences, and connect with essential local services.

Our employees are part of a vibrant, uplifting workplace culture that honors the joy and commitment of meaningful public service, while still caring for the needs of the individual. Our work is highly collaborative, adaptive, inquisitive, and is always ongoing. We are passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences, and we are dedicated to our mission of connecting people, ideas, and information to transform lives and strengthen our community.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with the opportunity to work in BLDG 61 at the Main Library and in the makerspace STUDIO 24 in North Boulder (NoBo Library). 

This role will be required to work evenings and weekends based on community needs.

Job Summary:

The Creative Technologist programs the library’s makerspace and works directly with patrons of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The Creative Technologist maintains the facility and its resources in good working order; designs and delivers special programs; provides instruction and teaches patrons on using the facility’s materials, tools, and equipment safely; and coaches makers through projects. This position also partners with community creatives on maker events and trains volunteers to assist at the makerspace.

We are looking for a skilled and creative maker passionate about public service, STEAM education, and community building. They will be pivotal in creating welcoming and educational experiences for people from diverse communities.

Essential Functions:

• Designs, promotes, teaches, and evaluates public makerspace programs. Collaborates with local area artists, makers, business owners, and entrepreneurs on programs and outreach events. (30%)
• Provides one-on-one coaching for individuals’ projects and safety and equipment training for makerspace users. (20%)
• Provides regular maintenance and cleaning of the facility and its tools and equipment; promptly repairs or replaces malfunctioning equipment. (20%)
• Coordinates with Volunteer Services to recruit and orient volunteers to assist the public in the makerspace. (15%)
• Creates and documents application and systems standards, maintenance procedures, and operational procedures, and maintains an inventory of equipment and software. Purchases tools and materials for classes and general use. (15%)

Additional Responsibilities:

• Dreams up additional creative uses and programs for the makerspace.
• Serves as a maker/STEAM resource for library staff. Attends meetings, serves on library-wide committees and projects, and participates in professional development opportunities.
• Performs administrative tasks such as answering emails, scheduling, preparing vendor contracts, reconciling purchases, and reporting statistics.
• Completes safety/emergency training (on CPR, AED, etc.).
• Serves as a Manager on Duty at the Library as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Instructional experience in a makerspace or similar educational setting –or- a Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience, and two years of technical training with instructional experience.
• Experience using and troubleshooting two or more of the following technologies: laser cutting and engraving, 3D printing and scanning, digital design software or CAD, fiber arts, printmaking, CNC fabrication, or other related makerspace technologies.
• Recent customer service experience. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide one-on-one and small group instruction.
• Comfortable with a hands-on approach to projects, particularly an ability to improvise with audiences of varied ages and abilities.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends. 
• Valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable motor vehicle record. Willing use of personal vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed).

Preferred Qualifications:

Because a makerspace is both creative and technical, please apply if you meet many but not all these requirements.

• Experience with digital and traditional fabrication and supporting various software suites, including Microsoft Office and Adobe CC.
• Spanish language skills and/or experience working with patrons from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience operating woodworking equipment, including power tools, table saw, drill press, bandsaw, and hand tools, as well as associated materials.
• Experience using microcontroller prototyping platforms such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, CircuitPython, or Micro:bit.
• Experience creating video, web, and social media content.
• Experience with fiber and textile arts: knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, sewing, quilting, crocheting, embroidery, etc.
• Experience with other disciplines: printmaking, painting, illustration, metalwork, stained glass, sculpture, papercraft, etc.
• Experience developing and running a mobile library or makerspace.

Working Conditions:

Works primarily in a workshop environment, subject to background noise from machinery. Personal protective equipment is required in some situations. Requires the ability to stand and/or walk continuously. Frequent bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling, and circling are all part of the normal requirement for fabrication in the makerspace. Ability to do the above with a maximum of 50 lbs. individually. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/or operating a keyboard. Seeing, hearing, and speaking are required.

Machines and equipment used include, but are not limited to, the following: Computer workstations, servers, network hardware, scanners, printers, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, power tools, hand tools, sewing machines, and looms.

Health and Wellness Benefits:

• Group medical, dental, and vision benefits to employees who work 20 hours or more per week
• Lifestyle Spending Account for all benefit-eligible employees
• Employer-paid basic life and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid employee assistance program for employees and their household members
• Health Savings or Flexible Spending Accounts for all benefit-eligible employees
• Voluntary, employee-paid, group accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans for all benefit-eligible employees
• Employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care
• Infant at Work Program

Time-off Benefits:

• New employees accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 80 hours of paid sick leave per year for employees who work 20 hours or more per week
• 2 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Time off for jury duty, bereavement, and voting

Helping Your Future:

• Public Employee Retirement Association of Colorado (PERA) Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan
• PERA 401(k) Plan
• Tuition reimbursement program and student debt repayment assistance
• Paid training and professional development

Library Perks:

Easy access to unlimited resources—including books, movies, programs, digital technology, and more.

 Please apply by February 25th, at 4 p.m. 

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Application Accommodations: BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community, and jobs are one of the best ways for us to do so. Please let us know if you require accommodations due to a disability to apply for this position.

Examples of this could include: providing a paper copy of the application, emailing the interview questions to you in advance, or reading the application to an applicant with a visual impairment. This is not an exhaustive list.

Please note a few things:

• If you need more time to complete any sections of the application, we recommend using a word processing document or a text file to enter your answers. The system times out after 30 minutes and does not retain your information. Having it in a word processing document will help in case you need to copy and paste the information back into the application. There is a 1000-character limit for responses to those questions.
• Uploading documents and qualifications can impact the formatting of your resume. We will not discount your application if Paylocity transcription alters the formatting.

Reach out to [email protected], and we will work with you to determine whether we can accommodate your request.