Lead Technician, Visual Arts

Follow us on LinkedIn

Posting Reason:

New Position

Job Type:

Employee

Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments):

N/A

Job Family:

Laboratory Support

# of Open Positions:

1

Faculty/Service - Department:

Department of Visual Arts

Campus:

Main Campus

Union Affiliation:

SSUO

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/07/30

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/08/10

Hours per week:

35

Salary Grade:

SSUO Grade 10

Salary Range:

$85,040.00 - $107,421.00

About the Faculty of Arts

The oldest and one of the biggest faculties at the University of Ottawa. The Faculty of Arts has evolved to be one of the leading faculties on campus. Now more than ever, the new economy needs thinkers, communicators, and creators. Whether you are interested in the Humanities, Languages and Literatures, or Fine and Performing Arts, the Faculty of Arts offers students an education for today's and tomorrow's workplace! The Faculty of Arts is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for everyone.

Position purpose:

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Visual Arts, provide technical and pedagogical support to the Visual Arts Department to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the workshop and associated studio spaces, and to support the delivery of teaching, research-creation, and exhibition activities.

In this role, the incumbent is required to support faculty and students through technical instruction, supervise the safe use of specialized equipment, maintain workshop facilities, manage materials and inventory, and assist with artistic production and exhibition activities.

The position also includes a teaching component consisting of the design and delivery of one undergraduate studio course per year in sculpture or a related field, including course preparation, student evaluation, and participation in a studio-based learning environment.
 

In this job, your responsibilities will include:

Provide technical support and guidance to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and visiting artists. Welcome, inform, and direct workshop users, assess needs, and ensure appropriate follow-up while maintaining a safe and inclusive working environment. Support students and provide hands-on assistance and instruction in the safe and effective use of woodworking or metal working equipment and tools, troubleshoot technical challenges, and guide students through the processes required to complete their work within course requirements. Support both the technical and conceptual aspects of student work.

• Teaching and academic support: Design and teach undergraduate studio sessions in sculpture or a related area. Develop and deliver course content, assignments, and evaluation.
• Workshop management and maintenance: Direct and manage the workshop and associated studio spaces. Inspect equipment regularly and perform or coordinate maintenance and repairs.
• Health and safety: Implement and enforce health and safety policies and procedures. Provide training on safe equipment use, identify and assess risks, ensure proper storage of hazardous materials, maintain first aid supplies, and act as a resource person for safety and fire-related matters.
• Facilities Management: Act as a primary liaison between the Department and university services (transport, maintenance, and campus protection) for major building issues, including equipment failures, water or gas leaks, and fire hazards. Collaborate with Facilities staff in renovation and maintenance projects, and participate in the planning, coordination and implementation of facility renovations. Manage the studio spaces ensuring they remain clean, organized, and free of hazardous or toxic materials in accordance with established safety standards.
• Administrative writing and technical documentation: Prepare, update, and maintain technical documentation, safety procedures, and instructional materials related to workshop equipment and processes. Draft and revise written materials for workshops, courses, and equipment use, and ensure clarity and compliance with university standards.
• Workshop operations and scheduling: Coordinate access to the workshops and related facilities to support course delivery and student work. Organize workshop usage, ensure availability of equipment and materials, and assist in coordinating activities related to teaching and production schedules.
• Communication: Maintain effective communication with faculty, students, technicians, and administrative staff to ensure coordination of workshop activities, courses, and exhibition timelines.
• Procurement and inventory management: Coordinate the acquisition of materials, tools, and equipment. Obtain quotes, prepare orders, receive and verify deliveries, and maintain inventory systems to ensure availability of required resources.
• Records and equipment management: Maintain inventory records, equipment logs, maintenance schedules, and safety documentation. Ensure proper tracking of tools and materials and maintain organized systems for storage and distribution.
• Exhibition and event support: Assist in the planning and execution of exhibitions within the Department. Provide guidance to students in the preparation and installation of artwork and coordinate the technical aspects of exhibition setup to ensure safe, efficient, and timely completion.
• Strategic initiatives and workshop development: Participate in planning and implementing improvements to workshop operations, equipment, and facilities. Recommend new tools and processes to enhance teaching quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Supervision and coordination: Train, supervise, and coordinate the work of student assistants. Ensure they have completed the required WHMIS training and adhere to all applicable health and safety procedures.

What you will bring:

• Master’s degree in fine arts or related field or equivalent education and experience
• A minimum of 3 years experience in knowledge of respective technical practices, tools and equipment, and shop environments 
• Ability to teach technical skills at basic and advanced levels 
• Experience delivering workshops and technical demonstrations 
• Knowledge of health and safety standards and WHMIS 
• Ability to manage workshop operations, inventory, and equipment maintenance 
• Ability to manage supplies, ordering, and budgets
• Experience supporting artistic production and exhibition installation 
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to build respectful relationships with diverse students and faculty 
• Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written)

#LI-MB1

#LI-HYBRID

Key Competencies at uOttawa:
Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa: 

Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [email protected] to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more.

If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.