Photo Lab Manager

Department: Col of Visual and Performing Arts

Classification: Media Specialist 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University’s School of Art is a collaborative academic and professional community focused on advancing creativity through traditional and new media applied to varying social contexts. The School of Art educates artists and creative professionals to be responsible contributors to society, preparing them to be agents of change in an increasingly connected, complex, inclusive world. We highly value rigor in conceptual approach, skill in art production, and imaginative methods for implementing projects and engaging audiences. Each student is given a background in aesthetic and analytical judgment, the ethical framework for professional practice, the confidence to be both self-reliant and collaborative, and the mastery of design and production necessary to thrive as a professional artist in a competitive global environment.

About the Position:

The Photo Lab Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations for the School of Art’s photo labs: darkroom, photo classrooms, print studios, and lighting studio. The Photo Lab Manager has operational facilities oversight, providing exhaustive guidance and ongoing technical support while the facilities are in use, whether for classes or faculty-assigned students projects. This includes training faculty, staff, and students in the safe use of a variety of equipment and chemicals used in traditional black-and-white photography, as well as analog film developing chemistry.

Responsibilities:

• Provide operational facilities oversight, providing exhaustive guidance and ongoing technical support while the facilities are in use, whether for classes or faculty-assigned students projects. This includes, but is not limited to: processor operation to develop negatives, prints and transparencies, workflows for mixing and maintaining concentration and temperature of chemicals, and enlarger adjustments for proper composition and prints exposition. Guide students in the digital lab, studio, and film processing area outside of class time. Prepare "cheat sheets" for students representing routine, multi-step tasks, photograph for SoA (headshots, student work, etc.). Assist faculty and instructors as needed;
• Coordinate with stakeholders from SoA, CVPA, EHS, and FM to schedule regular preventative maintenance and servicing of all photo, lighting, and darkroom equipment and spaces. Troubleshoot and repair photography equipment. Maintain instructional areas in a safe, clean, and orderly manner; assure security of the facilities as assigned. Review, modify, and adhere to the Environmental Health and Safety plan and ensure assigned labs, studios, and classrooms are clean, organized, and always stocked with appropriate supplies;
• Train, schedule, and supervise students and part-time employees in the day-to-day operations, equipment checkouts, and in the safe use of a variety of equipment and chemicals used in traditional black-and-white photography, as well as analog film developing chemistry. Work with student workers to complete departmental tasks; and
• Order, receive, catalog, inventory, and store chemicals, other supplies, and equipment; maintain inventory records and assure adequate levels of supplies. Propose expenditures for the darkroom, lighting, and photo labs/studios budget; assist in evaluating and selecting equipment, materials, and supplies for purchase; contact vendors for information, cost estimates, and process purchase requests and payments in accordance with unit and University policies and procedures; and
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or senior leadership faculty/staff. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Minimum of 1 year experience working in a professional darkroom; managing a darkroom and photo/lighting related equipment;
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with chemicals common to analog film development and safe disposal;
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud software;
• Demonstrated experience working with colleagues and students from diverse backgrounds; and
• Ability to troubleshoot photography and lighting equipment, hardware and software issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Fine Art, preferably with a concentration in photography; and
• At least 3 years of considerable experience working as a darkroom manager or equivalent position in an educational, professional, or commercial darkroom.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Photo Lab Manager at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date:  May 6, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 19, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes