Equipment Manager

Description

Department: Education
Schedule: Modified Full-Time; Non-Exempt
Reports To: School Facilities Senior Manager
Job Grade: Grade 3B

About ICP

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world's leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Through our exhibitions, education, public programs, and community outreach, we offer an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. Since our founding in 1974, we have presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes, providing instruction at every level. Our new integrated center on the Lower East Side reunites our school and museum in one space to become the cultural anchor of Essex Crossing.

Position Summary

The Equipment Manager manages the day-to-day operation of ICP's Equipment Room, helping ensure students, faculty, and staff have reliable access to photography equipment and technical resources that support teaching and learning.

Working closely with the School Facilities Senior Manager, this role coordinates equipment checkout operations, inventory management, equipment maintenance, reservation systems, and customer service. The Equipment Manager also provides day-to-day guidance to Equipment Assistants and Student Workers while serving as a technical resource for students, faculty, and staff.

Requirements

Equipment Room Operations

• Manage the daily operation of the Equipment Room, ensuring efficient workflows and excellent customer service.
• Oversee Equipment Room opening and closing procedures.
• Implement and uphold Equipment Room policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Resolve routine operational, scheduling, inventory, and customer service issues, escalating more complex matters as appropriate.
• Coordinate equipment delivery and pickup for off-site classes and workshops.
• Track operational issues and communicate urgent concerns promptly.
• Support classes in partnership with faculty and Teaching Assistants.
• Perform general administrative duties, including answering phones, handling deliveries, maintaining records, and supporting department operations.
• Assist with equipment donations and inventory documentation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Equipment Room operations and equipment-related support for the School.

Equipment Inventory & Maintenance

• Monitor equipment condition and assist in identifying repair, replacement, and purchasing needs.
• Perform preventative maintenance and minor in-house repairs on photography equipment.
• Coordinate vendor repairs and service appointments.
• Maintain Equipment Room organization, cleanliness, and storage standards.
• Ensure equipment is stored securely and accessible only to authorized users.
• Lead annual inventory audits and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Develop recommendations regarding equipment replacement schedules, future purchases, and lifecycle planning.
• Monitor equipment utilization trends and recommend operational improvements to maximize availability and student access.

Equipment Reservation & Checkout

• Administer the day-to-day use of WebCheckout, including reservations, inventory records, and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate equipment reservations and checkout for students, faculty, and staff.
• Monitor overdue equipment and communicate with borrowers regarding late returns.
• Ensure faculty equipment requests are received and fulfilled for scheduled classes.
• Maintain accurate equipment and user information within inventory management systems.

Team Support

• Assist with scheduling Equipment Assistants and Student Workers.
• Coordinate onboarding and training for Equipment Room staff and student employees.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and support during shifts.
• Provide operational feedback and observations regarding Equipment Room staff and student employees to the School Facilities Senior Manager.
• Adjust work schedules as needed to support departmental operations and coverage.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Significant training or demonstrated experience with photographic equipment, including digital cameras, lighting, studio equipment, and darkroom processes.
• Two or more years of experience working in a photography equipment room, photo lab, higher education, museum, or similar technical environment.
• Experience troubleshooting photographic, digital, audio/video, and lighting equipment.
• Experience providing training, mentoring, onboarding, or day-to-day guidance to staff, student employees, or students is preferred.
• Experience coordinating workflows, schedules, or operational coverage within an equipment room, lab, or similar technical environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of photographic equipment, terminology, and workflows.
• Experience with equipment reservation software such as WebCheckout or similar inventory management systems.
• Proficiency with Mac OS, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced educational environment.
• Ability to coordinate multiple operational priorities while maintaining a high level of customer service and equipment availability.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to individuals with varying levels of experience.
• Sound judgment and the ability to apply policies consistently and professionally.
• Ability to identify operational improvements and recommend process enhancements to support educational programming and equipment access.
• Additional language skills are a plus.

Working Conditions

This position regularly works in photography labs, equipment storage areas, classrooms, and public-facing educational spaces.

The role requires:

• Frequently lifting and moving equipment weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Standing, walking, bending, climbing ladders, and moving equipment throughout the workday.
• Working in equipment storage areas and other confined spaces as needed.
• Occasional travel between ICP facilities or off-site class locations.
• Regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, and members of the public.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $28.21 to $32.82 per hour, commensurate with experience. ICP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, personal days, sick time, floating holidays, and paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities
• Discounts on ICP education programs and in the ICP Shop

The International Center of Photography is committed to equal opportunity employment. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that are integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all.