Makerspace Innovation Specialist

Richmond, CA

Full Time

School-Wide (Leadership & Staff)

Mid Level

Job Description

Title:                Makerspace Innovation Specialist
Division:           Making Waves Academy
Reports to:       Assistant Principal
Status:              Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range:   $72,000 - $82,000 + $12,000 Temporary Cost of Living Allowance and MWA Benefits

Summary
Under the supervision of the Assistant Principal, Upper School, the Makerspace Innovation Specialist leads the school's makerspace program, teaching students engineering, design, and fabrication skills while managing the makerspace facility and equipment. The Specialist will foster a collaborative and engaging learning environment, empowering students to explore creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical skills through various projects and real-world applications.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Instruction

Teach robotics, 3D printing, and digital fabrication courses. Guide students through the design and fabrication process, from conceptualization to prototyping, building, and testing.
Develop project-based curriculum integrating STEM concepts.
Design and manage classroom and workshop environments that are conducive to hands-on learning, ensuring student safety while operating tools and machinery.
Foster a classroom culture of collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving.
Guide student projects and competitions. Lead after-school programs and clubs.
Support teachers in incorporating makerspace projects.

Technical Operations

Document projects and processes.
Ensure safety protocols and training.
Maintain and organize makerspace materials, tools (e.g., 3D printers, laser cutters) and equipment, ensuring everything is in safe working condition.
Track inventory and order materials.

Program Development

Design maker education curriculum. Incorporate real-world engineering and design challenges into the curriculum to encourage critical thinking and innovation.
Create cross-disciplinary learning opportunities. Collaborate with other faculty and staff to integrate engineering, design, and fabrication concepts across disciplines.
Build partnerships with industry experts.
Organize maker fairs and exhibitions. Work with students to create, document, and present individual or group projects for school events, competitions, and community outreach.
Support grant writing for equipment.

Mission Alignment

Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Making Waves Academy’s mission, core values, standards, competencies, and code of conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Participate in the school community – attending school competitions, performances, assemblies, and supporting student events, student clubs, and club advisors.

Work Environment

This job operates in an indoor and outdoor school environment and routinely uses standard office/school equipment.
Light/local travel may be required on occasion.

Physical Demands

The employee may be required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods of time; lift and carry materials up to 30lbs.; reach overhead/bend; push/pull. Must possess the ability to use hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, etc.; must have the ability to view written materials, computer screens, and observe activities, ensuring students' safety; must hear and communicate clearly to interact with others. The employee should be able to move throughout the campus to effectively interact with students and staff.
The employee may be required to participate in campus supervision duty each week.

Qualifications
Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Architecture, or related field. Experience with robotics and programming. Familiarity with industry trends and emerging technologies in engineering and design.
3+ years teaching or makerspace experience. Experience with project-based learning and hands-on, inquiry-driven instruction.
Strong safety and risk management skills. Ability to maintain a safe and effective learning environment, adhering to all safety protocols and guidelines for the use of tools and equipment.

Skills and Abilities

Expertise in digital fabrication tools; 3D modeling and printing; Basic electronics and programming; Design thinking methodology; Digital fabrication tools; Project management software.
Passion for STEM education and a commitment to student success.
Strong problem-solving skills and creativity. Ability to adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse student populations and foster an inclusive learning environment. Ability to motivate and inspire students through hands-on projects and real-world applications.
Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, and parents.
Professional orientation – appearance, communication, organization, and attitude.

Licenses or Certificates

Employment eligibility will include fingerprints/Live Scan, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and other employment clearance.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Reasonable Accommodation
Consistent with its obligations under the law, MWA will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Is Our Policy

Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their perceived or identified: race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, including but not limited to braids, locks, and twists); color; gender, (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity, whether or not the employee is transitioning or has transitioned); sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to such); religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); marital/registered domestic partner status; age (forty (40) and over); national origin or ancestry (including native language spoken and possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the U.S. is authorized by federal law); physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS); medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics); taking of a leave of absence pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Pregnancy Disability Leave (“PDL”) law, Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), or laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking laws; genetic information; sexual orientation; military and veteran status; or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees. For a full copy of our non-discrimination policy, visit: https://bit.ly/mwapublicnotices

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Making Waves Academy provides a rich academic environment, state-of-the-art facilities, abundant support and resources, and a commitment to supporting our students to and through college.

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Makerspace Innovation Specialist

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