Photography + Media Arts (PHMA) Lab Manager

Photography Media Arts (PHMA) Lab Manager

Visual Studies Department

St. Edwards University a nationally ranked independent Catholic university and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) invites applications for a part-time 9-month staff position Photography Media Arts (PHMA) Lab Manager in the Department of Visual Studies beginning August 2025. St. Edwards is characterized by its commitment to the Holy Cross educational mission of educating the hearts and minds of a diverse student body deeply committed to social justice.

The successful candidate will oversee the daily operations management and staffing of a laboratory assigned to the Department of Visual Studies. The lab manager is responsible for the smooth operation of the laboratory and related facilities ensuring the safe use and proper maintenance of equipment and supplies. Working directly or through delegated student workers the lab manager supports PHMA faculty with facility setup lab-related activities and responds to the specific needs of courses as they arise. .

St. Edwards University embraces excellence through diversity and especially encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented racial ethnic sexual and gender minority groups. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to supporting a diverse student body.

For consideration the candidate:

• Ideally holds a BA BFA or BS in Photography or Studio Art with a photography focus or possesses equivalent experience in a related field-such as commercial photography or photography lab and darkroom work.
• Ideally the candidate will demonstrate substantial knowledge of or experience with both analog and digital photography.
• Ability to do required functions or learn how to do them (e.g. leveling an enlarger etc.) and ability to train students to assist in carrying out such tasks.
• Strong verbal written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively present information to groups-for example providing orientation to incoming students on darkroom procedures safe chemical handling and relevant safety and environmental regulations.
• Analytical evaluative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to analyze and track costs (e.g. use of G-Suite tools such as Google-Sheet) and develop and recommend cost-effective procedures.
• Ability to calibrate maintain modify and/or repair laboratory equipment or a demonstrated willingness and capacity to research and learn these skills as needed.
• Ability to continue and/or develop appropriate safety policies for the facility/equipment users.
• Ability to analyze complex information and to define and solve problems.
• Ability to read understand follow and enforce safety procedures.
• Prior supervision experience preferred.
• Successful completion of an employment and/or criminal background check.

Essential Responsibilities Include:

• Assists faculty in the use of the PHMA facility equipment and other resources.
• Recruits trains and supervises student Lab Monitors.
• Manages the PHMA reservation and inventory system.
• Maintains a range of equipment including digital and film cameras (such as 35mm medium format 6x6 cm and 4x5-inch field cameras) studio and location lighting light modifiers grip equipment tripods light meters and related accessories.
• While in-depth disassembly of 35mm cameras is not required the applicant should be capable of performing basic equipment repairs and providing informed recommendations regarding when gear should be serviced by an external repair facility.
• Manages consumable inventory such as traditional wet-process lab chemistry paper alternative processes chemistry and facility.
• Manages and implements equipment check-out and check-in procedures.
• Maintains a safe and efficient working environment by training and supervising student workers and providing equipment and lab orientation sessions for class cohorts.
• Promotes positive interpersonal relations with faculty staff and students.
• Communicates effectively respectfully and collegially with all stakeholders/constituents.
• Assists the PHMA Program Director and Department of Visual Studies Chair with budget management including recommendations for and discussion of equipment purchases.
• Works with and assists as necessary the School of Humanities Environmental Management Systems Coordinator.
• Responsible for regulatory and policy compliance as it applies to the position.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Other duties as assigned trained for and qualified to do.

For detailed information please see the job description.

HOW TO APPLY Applicants should apply online at . Application packages should include:

• cover letter
• resume
• names and contact information for three references

Applicants should submit materials by June 30 2025 for full consideration; however the position will remain open until filled.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL STUDIES

The Department of Visual Studies one of seven departments within the School of Arts and Humanities engages students in the critical understanding and creative production of contemporary culture. A diverse and engaged faculty support students in their efforts to shape their futures within a complex interdisciplinary and technologically mediated world. We are dedicated to developing the creative and technical skills of students through our programs: Animation Art Art History Graphic Design Photography & Media Arts User Experience Design and Video Game Development.

ABOUT ST. EDWARDS UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1885 by the Congregation of Holy Cross St. Edwards University is a private Catholic liberal arts institution of approximately 2500 undergraduate and 500 graduate students located in Austin Texas. It is an exciting time to be part of the St. Edwards community as the university increases its global engagement to educate students about the opportunities and challenges of a 21st-century world. SEU is a diverse community that appreciates faculty and students from all backgrounds. Consistent with its Holy Cross heritage the university is strongly committed to diversity and global initiatives. More information about St. Edwards University may be found at .

Commitment to the Holy Cross Mission St. Edwards University is a diverse community devoted to proactively nurturing a campus-wide culture that promotes and ensures equity respect inclusion and safety for all members regardless of race color national origin age gender religion sexual orientation and gender identity socio-economic background or physical ability. We are one University that opens our hearts and minds to conversations to learning and to creating a community that is welcoming of all. Regardless of position it is expected that each employee will embrace this commitment and demonstrate an attitude of respect toward and acceptance of all members of our community. For more information on our commitment to diversity please visit our website

OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: St. Edwards University as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin age marital status sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression disability religion or veteran status in employment educational programs and activities and admissions. We require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency for employment and we are not offering visa sponsorship at this time.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check is required for the finalist(s) under consideration for this position.