Residence Life Tech Specialist Amenities

Job Description

Housing & Food Services (HFS) has an outstanding opportunity for a Residence Life Tech Specialist - Amenities to join the team.

To advance the educational mission of Housing & Food Services we must provide modern well-maintained maker media and gaming environments that cultivate creativity community and career-ready skills for more than 9500 residential students. Rapid innovation in audio production imaging VR/AR 3-D fabrication and collegiate esports now outpaces the capacity of existing staff and infrastructure. This new position ensures we meet student demand and institutional goals by (1) stewarding specialized spaces Sound Lab Image Lab VR suite gaming hubs McCarty Innovation and Learning Lab and Dabble Lab through strategic technology life-cycle management; (2) integrating these resources into living-learning initiatives academic partnerships and conference offerings that generate auxiliary revenue and elevate UWs reputation as a regional innovation hub; and (3) providing expert guidance interdisciplinary activities and co-curricular engagement that empower students to create prototype compete and connect. Without dedicated leadership we risk outdated equipment underutilized spaces and missed opportunities for high-impact experiential learning that differentiates the on-campus experience and directly supports student success.

DUTIES

Residence Education Program Management 35%

• Manages day-to-day technical operations of Area 01 the Dabble Lab and McCarty Innovation and Learning Lab as well as supporting the sound lab and gaming spaces in the amenities areas as well as providing support in the print shop located in the Poplar space. This position includes but is not limited to supervising student staff repairing equipment enforcing safety standards managing resources and verifying compliance with university policies and maximizing usage of spaces. This position will also supervise a robust tech team of 13 students developing and mentoring their technical expertise and leadership skills.
• Oversees student staff who do performance tuning and maintenance of gaming PCs consoles audio gear imaging equipment and mechanical shop equipment (3D printers laser cutters sewing machines) to ensure reliable experiences for casual users competitive teams and addressing curricular needs and integration.
• Plans and implements in cooperation with amenities team and campus partners an annual technology refresh cycle for labs and maker spaces evaluating emerging hardware and software coordinating purchasing and installation and maintaining detailed documentation.
• Collaborates with university partners (HUB UW Athletics Student Life) to further develop esports programs; coordinate with academic departments to reserve lab space for classes and project studios; and support Living Learning Communities centered on digital arts maker culture gaming and engineering.
• Serves as an on-site resource in Area 01 and the MILL answers student questions and assists with projects to encourage cross-disciplinary learning having a heavy on-site presence engaging with users and guests in the space.
• Assists with operational needs in the 8 Community Center and the wood and metal shop provides support to students in managing these locations as well as coordinating with College of Engineering on any needs in the space
• Liaises with student organizations and community partners to co-create tournaments showcase nights and collaborative demonstrations that foster engagement and experiential learning.
• In collaboration with amenities team and student staff establishes and maintains assessment strategies for digital media gaming and maker spaces; analyzes usage statistics satisfaction surveys and learning outcomes to drive equitable access; presents data to leadership and committees.

Amenities Operations 30%

• Serves in an after-hours on-call capacity to troubleshoot urgent technical or access issues ensuring uninterrupted availability of MILL space Dabble Lab and the 8 as well as the gaming resources.
• Develops documents and enforces safety standards and SOPs for all tech-enabled amenities spaces including emergency procedures equipment check-in/out and risk-mitigation protocols.
• Coordinates student staff who administer shared gaming platformse.g. Steam Epic and console accountsby managing user permissions age/content filters license compliance and multi-factor security.
• Collaborates with Facilities Services and HFS-IT to coordinate infrastructure upgrades work orders and service-level agreements that enhance power networking and HVAC reliability in high-load tech environments.
• Oversees student staff who manage asset inventories and refresh cycles for gaming PCs VR headsets consoles audio gear and imaging equipment mechanical shop tools and consumables; maintains warranty logs and strategic replacement plans and coordinates repairs or replacements.
• Coordinates with Conference Services to host academic conferences pre-k12 field trips personalized activities and experiential learning packages. Ensures age-appropriate content staffing and safety oversight for all activities.
• Acts as academic liaison to the College of Engineering DXARTS Computer Science & Engineering and other departments to reserve lab space for classes project studios and co-curricular integrations.
• Co-develops with other residence life staff to implement an annual Maker Summit in partnership with the U-District Street Fair showcasing student projects esports exhibitions and community workshops that highlight year-round achievements.
• Assists in developing multiple events workshops and planning activities throughout the year ranging from Hackathons to competitive gaming sessions or live demonstrations.
• Pursues external funding opportunities by working with IT Facilities Athletics and UW Advancement to identify grants sponsorships and in-kind donations from private industry and corporate partners that expand technology offerings and offset operating costs.
• Executes Purchasing for Amenities by researching vendors securing competitive quotes processing e-procurement requests and reconciling expenses in alignment with departmental budgets.
• Purchases any news machines items resources or services needed in the space.
• Maintains Detailed Inventory Controls for all technology consumables and loanable items across amenities spaces; updates asset-management systems tracks depreciation and coordinates repairs or replacements.

Supervision 20%

• Recruits hires and onboards desk attendants and student maintenance techs applying inclusive hiring practices and clear competency frameworks to build a diverse service-oriented and experienced team.
• Supervises 2 student technician coordinator staff who create and assistant in creating weekly staffing schedules for maintenance cycles technical support shifts workshop instruction balancing peak-use periods student availability and budgeted labor hours and completion of 150 annual maintenance tickets.
• Supervises student staff who design and facilitate workshops in digital audio imaging VR/AR streaming and maker technologies (Intro to 3D printing Intro to laser cutter etc..). Supervises staff who lead at least two quarterly student workshops highlighting creative use of Area 01 and MILL equipment and host additional workshops with outside presenters as needed.
• Holds bi-weekly staff meetings with tech team as well as weekly one-on-one meetings with tech student coordinator providing necessary updates and coordinating operational needs in the spaces
• Provides ongoing yearly training and coaching in customer service troubleshooting workflows equipment check-out procedures and safety protocols; assesses learning through shadow shifts and skills validations.
• Provides instruction to the tech team composed of 12 students and 70-person student desk team on how to use the various machines in the spaces as well as maintenance.
• Conducts regular performance check-ins and annual evaluations setting individualized goals documenting feedback and implementing improvement plans or recognition strategies as needed.
• Fosters a collaborative growth-minded culture by mentoring student leads promoting professional development opportunities such as certifications workshops or conference attendance and actively working with students on developing skills for job placement.

Other Responsibilities 15%

• Serves as a member of the Residential Life Team including participating in staff meetings trainings end of the year celebrations and other residence life initiatives.
• Meets regularly with IT and assist with additional IT projects as needed.
• Coordinates with UW Environmental Health and Safety regular inspections of the space maintains all safety expectations as directed.
• Serves as the Lab Manager preparing for safety audits ensuring EH&S training is up to date for the tech team ensuring general training and SOPs for users are accurate and effective managing chemicals in the MyChem database weekly testing of the eyewashes and other safety precautions.
• Supports Admitted Student Preview Days & Campus Tours by showcasing the Dabble Lab MILL and gaming hubs; provide live demos and Q&A to highlight the residential learning experience.
• Participates in staff selection activities and training activities for Residential Life student leaders office assistants support staff community managers and other positions as needed.
• Participates in unit and HFS trainings meetings move-in and move-out activities as needed.
• Safely operates or supervises activities in environments that require OSHA-compliant personal protective equipmentincluding respirators hearing protection eye protection and dust-collection controlsduring fabrication woodworking metalworking laser-cutting or chemicaluse procedures in the MILL Dabble Lab and The 8 wood/metal shop.
• Provides on-site technical support during extended or irregular hoursincluding late-night or weekend maker hackathons esports tournaments and other special eventsanticipating peak usage equipment troubleshooting and student supervision needs.
• Maintains an awareness of current issues and developments within the field of recreation makerspaces campus partnerships student wellbeing and student life.
• Serves on unit-wide committees as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY

This position advances the core mission of the University by developing and supporting residence education in unique residential amenities to support academic social and personal development while generating auxiliary incoming and positioning UW as a regional innovation hub in maker spaces and esports facilities.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES

HFS Residential Life houses nearly 9500 students in residence halls and single-student and family apartments. This position oversees the operationalizing of student development and applied environmental theory within this complex and quickly evolving environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position involves program and project management chairing meetings and speaking publicly. Ability to work evenings/weekends as scheduled; ability to lift 25 lbs. repeatedly; able to obtain and maintain respirator clearance. Position is in person with some remote work.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises student employees serving as technical support for multiple-maker spaces in HFS.

REPORTS TO

Assistant Director of Residential Life for Amenities

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in engineering computer science digital media industrial design game development arts or a closely related field
• Two years professional experience managing a maker fabrication digital-media or esports/gaming facility with responsibility for scheduling budgeting and technology upkeep.
• Hands-on technical proficiency with a broad toolset including FDM/SLA 3-D printers CO₂ laser cutters entry-level CNC routers basic wood- and metal-shop equipment digital sewing/embroidery machines multi-track audio-recording gear high-spec gaming PCs/consoles and VR/AR hardware
• Demonstrated collaboration with Residence Life K12 outreach or comparable student-facing programs showing an understanding of developmental theory and co-curricular learning models.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with meticulous attention to detail; able to create instructional materials grant narratives and technical documentation for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to partner across departments (e.g. Engineering DXARTS Computer Science Athletics Conference Services) to design experiential and co-curricular learning opportunities.
• Experience securing external resourcesfamiliarity with basic grant writing sponsorship cultivation or revenue-share models for programs and events.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in higher education computer science engineering arts or a closely related discipline.
• Deep knowledge of the collegiate esports ecosystem including competitive formats broadcast/streaming workflows and athlete development.
• Successful track record of grant acquisition or auxiliary-revenue growth especially for maker or media initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience designing marketing and executing large-scale workshops or experiential events such as hackathons maker summits esports tournaments or campus-wide showcases involving multi-department coordination and 100 participants
• Formal project-management credential (CAPM PMP or Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt) indicating the ability to deliver complex technology refreshes on time and on budget.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

A satisfactory outcome from the employment verification and reference check processes

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.