Robotics Coordinator and Shop Steward

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Crystal Springs Uplands School is a 6-12 co-educational, independent day school located on two distinct campuses in Hillsborough and Belmont, CA with 125 employees. Our deeply connected culture and community celebrates scholarship, strives for balance, and fosters inclusion. The Professional Adult Community (PAC) is an experienced, collaborative group of employees who are committed to the mission and core values of the school. Crystal is full of kind, curious learners (adults and students alike) who are passionate about the school’s mission of transformative teaching and meaningful connections. We are committed to the work required to create more equitable systems and foster inclusive environments so that all members of our community can thrive together.

 

CRYSTAL’S MISSION STATEMENT

Through transformative teaching and meaningful connections, we empower kind, curious learners to thrive together.

CRYSTAL’S CORE VALUES

We Celebrate Scholarship – The foundation of Crystal is academic excellence.
We Seek Growth Challenges – Our culture says try it.
We Foster Kindness & Inclusion – Crystal is a caring and diverse community.
We Strive for Balance – A holistic approach to well-being is integral to our mission.
We Engage with Enthusiasm – With unbounded spirit, we give our best effort every day and pay it forward to our community.
We Lead with Humility – Being grateful and open-minded, we pursue lifelong learning.
The ideal candidate will have experience working in dynamic settings serving multiple constituents. A successful candidate in this position will:

Share a commitment to upholding Crystal’s core values and working in an inclusive school environment
Work collaboratively with colleagues and engage effectively with all constituents
Bring robust organizational, technological, and communication skills
JOB SUMMARY

Crystal seeks a full-time (1.0 FTE, 10-month exempt) Robotics Coordinator and Shop Steward (RCSS). The Robotics Coordinator and Shop Steward (RCSS) is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the US engineering/robotics/makerspace shop under the supervision of the Shop Supervisor. The RCSS is also responsible for supervising and mentoring our US Robotics Team in the design and construction of robots that will compete in FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Finally, the RCSS will assist with the supervision of two STEM courses: Physics, Engineering and Technology (PET) and Advanced Topics in Physics, Engineering, and Technology (ATPET).

 

Key Job Competencies

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Analyzes and integrates trends and patterns based on diverse information and perspectives to determine the root causes of problems, identify the best course of action, and prioritize efforts. Develops new insights and formulates creative solutions, considering the impact and implications of recommendations in the context of overall vision, goals, and objectives.
Project Management: Ability to lead and execute complex projects to achieve goal attainment by prioritizing activities, assigning responsibilities in accordance with capabilities, monitoring progress, and evaluating impact.
Quality Results: Ensures high quality results on projects/tasks, meets deadlines, and attends to details. Takes responsibility for the quality of work and achieves results with little oversight.
Developing Others: Ability to effectively support the growth and development of students.
Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as deep listening skills to gain understanding.
Cultural Competence: Possesses and applies the skills, values, and principles that acknowledge, respect, contribute, and work effectively across cultural differences. Recognizes the unique value, perspectives, strengths, and challenges of every person who comes to the Crystal community.
Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates high levels of self/social awareness, self-management, empathy, and curiosity.
Relationship Management: Positively collaborates and builds/maintains authentic and trusting relationships. Demonstrates high levels of discretion and confidentiality.
Personal Growth: Demonstrates commitment and curiosity to ongoing learning and development.
Collaboration: the interpersonal and intrapersonal qualities one will leverage to collectively solve a problem or make progress toward a common goal. The ability to work with others to complete a project or task or develop ideas or processes.
Essential Functions

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

Supervise US engineering/robotics/makerspace shopSupervise students using the shop during the school day outside PET/ATPET class time, including:Students completing their PET/ATPET projects in partnership with the Shop Supervisor
Cross-curricular collaborations and students working on projects for other classes
Projects for extracurriculars (e.g. Boy Scouts, Science Olympiad, etc.)
Gryphon Robotics
Personal projects
Ensure safe practices at all time; teach and help students unfamiliar with the shop accomplish their projects
Maintain the cleanliness and safety of the 4,000 sq ft shop spaceAt the end of every day: Return all tools and materials left out to their proper locations
Clean off tabletops
Sweep floors for any dropped tools or parts
Vacuum/clean shop tools
Constantly monitor tool levels, correcting any missorted tools
Procure supplies for shopConstantly monitor inventory levels of all consumables and order materials as needed for shop operation or as directed by Shop Supervisor
Drive and pick up supplies that cannot be ordered online, such as flammables, lumber and metal stock, and welding gas
Work with Shop Supervisor to maintain shop budget
Oversee tool maintenance, repair, and upkeepMaintain, repair, and upkeep the tools in the shop, including:20+ bench-top/floor-top tools, including highly specialized tools such as the welder, laser cutter, 3D printers, and CNC router
40+ handheld power tools
Hundreds of hand (non-powered) tools
Constantly monitor and check-in on tools to ensure continued safe operation of tools in 4a
Perform regular/normal maintenance and upkeep on tools in 4a
Fix or replace broken tools listed in 4a for continued safe operation
Serve as mentor and coordinator to US Robotics TeamSupervise and mentor US students in the design and construction of robots that will compete in FRC competitions
Devise and communicate annual schedule and workflow with team captains
Procure tools, parts, and supplies for robot build on behalf of the team
Responsible for all competition logistics (including registration, transportation, lodging, food, team apparel, communication to parents and students, etc.)
Supervise and attend two or three competitions per year, each 4-days long across a weekend, possibly including overnight stays
Drive vans with students and/or tools to competition venues
Enforce robotics bylaws and safety protocols; settle disputes between students/parents/etc.
Oversee Robotics budget
Assist with supervision of PET and ATPET classesInstruct students to interact safely with all shop equipment and tools
Work with PET/ATPET teacher to prepare the  shop for class periods
Proactively provide guidance and design input on student-led projects
Drive shop growthResearch, order, and set up new tools in coordination with Shop Supervisor
Research, order, and try out new materials and processes
Help with the logistics of relocating the shop in anticipation of upcoming building renovation (SY24-26)
Work with Shop Supervisor to identify and execute new ways to increase student access to the shop, through collaboration with other classes or extracurricular activities

 

Effects on End Result

The effectiveness of this position will be measured by:

High level of safety maintained at all times
High level of maintenance and cleanliness of shop space and equipment
High level of student engagement in US Robotics Team
Smooth logistics, coordination, and communication for Robotics competitions
Effective collaboration with colleagues (both administrative staff and faculty)
High levels of relational trust maintained, and timely, effective communication delivered, with parents/guardians, colleagues, and students
Effective de-escalation of conflicts/issues/interactions
Increased sense of student inclusion and belonging
Travel required

Light travel between the MS and US campuses
Travel to and from FRC competitions in San Francisco, San Jose, and/or Sacramento, possibly overnight

 

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.

Required education and experience

Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience
1-2 years of hands-on construction experience using wood and metals
Expertise with tools (such as power hand tools, table/band saws, a mill, drill press, sanders, grinders, etc.)
Preferred education and experience

Bachelor’s degree with engineering background and/or knowledge of CAD software
Experience with fabrication techniques and rapid prototyping, welding, 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining a plus
Familiarity with First Robotics Competition (FRC)
Experience working with students

 

Physical demands and work environment

Able to lift up to 50 pounds
Able to climb stairs
Able to operate power tools and all relevant shop equipment
Must drive students and equipment to robotics events/competitions; may need to travel out-of-state if robotics team qualifies for Nationals
Hours vary but roughly are weekdays from 10 am-6 pm and some Saturdays for five hours (to be mutually determined with team)

Salary and Benefits
This is a 1 FTE position, benefits-eligible, 10-month full time faculty staff position, with an annual salary commensurate with experience within the range of $55,000 – $67,000.