The Office of Innovation at the University of New England (UNE) is the standard-bearer for innovation at the university and a champion of the institution’s mission to develop creative, sustainable solutions to real-world problems. Our team partners with students, faculty, and professional staff from all units at the University, including business and health professions, marine programs, and social sciences and humanities. We sponsor workshops and events, lead student fellowship programs, support student and faculty research, and oversee physical spaces to extend experiential learning, design-thinking, and entrepreneurship across campus, including the P.D. Merrill Makerspace (comprised of a Fabrication Lab and Design Lab).
The Office of Innovation now seeks a Coordinator for the Sustainable Innovations Center (SIC) in the Girard Marine Science Center (GMSC). This is a full-time, 12-month, professional staff position reporting to the Director of the Office of Innovation.
About the University of New England
UNE is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.
UNE offers a generous comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The package includes varied health and dental plans; a retirement plan that includes up to an eight percent match; extensive paid leave including holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time; and educational benefits. Please visit the Human Resources Benefits site (https://www.une.edu/hr/benefits) for additional information regarding UNE’s fantastic benefits package.
Responsibilities
- Collaborates with the Directors of the Office of Innovation and GMSC to develop the SIC as a university-wide resource that engages students across all disciplines, including marine and environmental sciences, to foster interdisciplinary innovation, teamwork, and collaboration.
- Manages daily operations of the SIC, including project oversight, visit management, and event/activity coordination.
- Supports student and faculty projects by setting schedules, coordinating meetings, providing tech/design support, troubleshooting, and collaborating with external mentors and faculty sponsors.
- Instructs, assists, and guides students and faculty in the use of the SIC, providing expert-level support on relevant software, hardware, and equipment.
- Works with the P.D. Merrill Makerspace Coordinator to manage the SIC schedule of classes, labs, workshops, events, and tours across both campuses and in the community.
- Collaborates with the Makerspace Coordinator and GMSC safety team to ensure student safety through training, safety reviews, record management, and compliance with university and industry standards and policies.
- Manages equipment and supply upkeep, including research and recommendations, in collaboration with the Office of Innovation and/or GMSC.
- Follows Office of Innovation purchasing procedures and ensures the SIC is properly staffed and stocked to meet visitor needs.
- In collaboration with the Makerspace Coordinator, supervises student employees and volunteers, including hiring, training, paperwork, and time approval in Compass.
- Manages and maintains the SIC website in conjunction with the Office of Innovation and GMSC teams.
In addition to the above, the SIC coordinator will:
- Demonstrates a passion for inquiry and experimentation to develop sustainable solutions to social, environmental, and health challenges facing our society.
- Collaborates with the P.D. Merrill Makerspace Coordinator, Provost’s Office, GMSC faculty, and university partners to develop projects and deliver workshops and labs for diverse stakeholders.
- Support SIC course instructors and provide lab instruction.
- Acts as liaison with UNE in support of installing, maintaining, and renewing computers and software images in the SIC.
- Assists with evaluating future projects and events and contributes to strategic planning within the Office of Innovation and GMSC.
- Helps establish a positive, safe, and professional environment within the SIC.
- Supports and participates in special projects, including VIP tours, faculty/staff use of the SIC, and event planning, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Innovation and GMSC.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as marine or environmental science, mechanical engineering, and/or computer science; 1-3 years experience in construction, lab support, makerspace, or aquarium management; or a combination of education and experience that would prepare someone to work in a student-facing, hands-on space for making, building, and experimenting.
- Ability to work effectively with project teams.
- Programming experience in Arduino, Java, Python, and other software used in prototype design.
- Application support experience in schematic capture, board design, CAD/CAM, and 3D design.
- Experience with the creation of documentation and Design Library.
- Experience with data analytics, application development, and/or engineering preferred.
- Comfort working with students of diverse backgrounds, skills, identities, and ways of thinking is required.
- May be required to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
- Ability to drive a university vehicle and provide proof of a valid driver’s license is preferred.