Job Information
Smith College Virtual Arts Digital Specialist in Northampton, Massachusetts
NORTHAMPTON - SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION - Visual Arts Digital Specialist Job Summary Support digital media and photography curriculum in the Art Department, primarily in studio art, with occasional support in architecture and art history. Facilitate production of visual work by students and faculty for coursework and teaching. Assist with maintenance and support of technology (hardware and software) found in the digital visual arts classrooms and labs in Hillyer Hall. Work as a liaison with ITS staff to ensure good working knowledge of software and hardware available for Art curricula and any updates. Participate in cross-team projects. Minimum Qualifications Education/Experience: Bachelor\'s degree in art or related discipline plus at least 3-years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience working well with diverse groups and evidence of ability to learn new technologies. Skills Demonstrated knowledge of computing for the visual arts and culture, with particular expertise in photography (darkroom and digital printing), inkjet printing, 3D modeling, and/or moving image. Working knowledge and familiarity with current and emerging practices in digital art, manufacturer\'s recommendations, and workflow procedures for timely completion of tasks. Knowledge of hardware/software for visual arts, including the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Final Cut Pro and related applications. Experience with computer imaging and set-up (e.g., implementing auditing software for printing). Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patron service skills. Must be team-oriented, flexible, and able to work collaboratively with shifting and diverse groups in a rapidly changing environment. Manifest an attitude of professionalism in interactions with diverse groups. Essential Functions Digital Project Support (25%): Provide support for curricular digital projects, especially but not exclusively for students enrolled in classes in photography and digital media and senior capstone classes. Consult with faculty and assist with digital applications that are central to the conduct of studio and architecture curricula, i.e., photographic editing and compositing, printmaking, sculptural and painted media, 3-D modeling, and digital design computer programs. Annually train on Adobe Suite software and other commonly used classroom applications to assist faculty in identifying annual changes to layout and functionality. Visual Arts Instructional Support (20%): Conduct hands-on training workshops and one-to-one instruction sessions on visual arts digital technology and software for students. Consult with Art Department faculty on the in-class digital technology support required duringeach semester, and offer this support to students (primarily in photography and digital media, but may include other classes). Training and Supervision (20%): Assist in hiring, training and mentoring student assistants for VCRC and H320. Develop and maintain a peer-to-peer mentoring program each semester, including software training so that work-study students in these three studio labs have the skills, knowledge, and guidance to work effectively as mentors for other students. Lab and Classroom Support (20%): Maintain the overall technical environment for Art Department curriculum, including hardware, software and peripheral devices for the VCRC, the H320 Design Media Lab. Responsible for calibrating and managing lab-based computer equipment used by students in their curricular work and for trouble-shooting software and hardware configurations.