Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of experience in printmaking techniques including intaglio, offset lithography, silkscreen, and relief printing.
Experience conducting safety training workshops and knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and NYC Fire Department safety protocols.
Teaching experience at the college level is required.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Proficiency in Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
Ability to collaborate on ambitious print projects with professionals.
Approachable demeanor with a talent for mentoring younger artists.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Artistic Director to develop and execute creative print projects with visiting artists.
Supervise and train graduate students and interns in printmaking techniques.
Manage timelines and budgets for print projects alongside the Associate Director.
Oversee scheduling for student and intern workers to ensure smooth project workflows.
Finalize print projects, including signing and packaging completed editions.
Document the working process for each print project for archival purposes.
Assist in providing technical support to visiting curators and educational institutions.
Benefits
Access to professional development opportunities.
Collaborative work environment with artists and students.
Engagement in high-profile print projects.
Opportunity to mentor and develop emerging artists.
Access to state-of-the-art printing equipment and facilities.
Full Job Description
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Regular/Temporary: Temporary
End Date if Temporary: 12/31/2027*
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $73,000 - $90,500 ( the salary will be prorated based on the duration of the appointment, should the term in question be less than a year )
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
This position is responsible for overseeing the creative development and printing of the edition of an artist's print project after it has been authorized for production by the Artistic Director. They will work one-on-one with visiting artists on projects to be published by the Leroy Neiman Center (LNC). The Master Printer will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of all artists' projects-in-development in the print shop, as well as for maintaining all presses and other printing equipment. The incumbent oversees and maintains the professional print shop and is responsible for the safe operation of all print shops of the LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies ("Center") including safe usage of equipment and chemicals, student and staff training and supervision, equipment maintenance, and smooth operation of workshops with assistance from the Studio Manager. Supervised by the Associate and Artistic Directors of the LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies they will supervise 4-8 Neiman Service Position Student Workers, two or more LeRoy Neiman student interns, and temporary Print Assistants. Provides guidance to the Studio Manager on artist-project facilitation and day-to-day studio operations as requested.
*This is a temporary full-time officer of administration appointment for an initial term of one year from the incumbent's start date.
Responsibilities
PRINTING
Collaborate and work with Artistic Director and Associate Director to (1) develop creative print projects with artists, and (2) serve as the printer for the project, or (3) if needed, determine an alternative printer or a team of printers.
Supervise LNC graduate students. Provide training as needed.
Work with Associate Director to develop timeline and budget for print projects.
Oversee schedules for student and intern employees working on projects.
Manage artist's schedules in order to maintain a functional workflow in the studio.
Finalize projects by setting up and scheduling signing once the editions are completed and have gone through thorough curating.
Package, seal, and separate finished and signed prints for either storage at the LNC or to be given to the artist.
Work with Associate Director to generate colophon and documentation sheet for each print project.
Document an archive of the working process as each project progresses.
Assist Associate Director in providing technical informative support to visiting curators, collectors, and educational institutions.
DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT DUTIES
Oversee general day-to-day operations of shop; work with Facilities Operations and other Columbia departments to maintain space; coordinate professional and highly skilled maintenance, operations and fine-tuning of sensitive print shop equipment, including the Center's Offset Lithographic Press, Brand Etching Press, Brand Automated Lithography Press, Universal X2-Superspeed Laser System, and two Epson large format printers with assistance from the Studio Manager.
Alongside the Studio Manager, oversee the ordering of all materials and supplies for the professional and student print shops in consultation with the Associate Director: select and order inks, acetates, acids, solvents, paper, experimental materials and other supplies and material required for operation of high quality professional print shop.
Work closely with the Studio Manager to ensure all projects follow the safety procedures as set forth in the chemical safety program and the operational policies of the LNC, including the availability and use of personal protection equipment. Liaise to Environmental Health & Safety as needed and in the absence of the Studio Manager.
Provide guidance to the Studio Manager on the regular inspections of tools and equipment and ensuring safety equipment (e.g., eyewash, fire extinguisher, overhead safety shower, dust collection system) and machine guards are present and in proper working condition. Make recommendations for any safety upgrades and advise on equipment, tool and material replacement.
Monitor safe usage of equipment by organizing, scheduling, and conducting general and specific safety training classes for students, staff and adjunct faculty with assistance from the Studio Manager.
Oversee the Studio Manager with creating and maintaining clear signage about safe use of equipment and written guidelines for use of the shops.
Work with the Studio Manager to provide in-depth technical safety training to 4-8 graduate students for their Student Service Positions, as well as any interns or temporary assistant printers.
Work with the Studio Manager to coordinate and maintain scheduling of MFA Student Service workers, including approving, recording and reconciling time sheets. Coordinate and maintain scheduling of any interns or temporary print assistants.
Assist with installation, deinstallation, and booth oversight (as needed) at 2 print fairs a year.
TEACHING
Provide guidance and advisement to printmaking MFA graduate students, undergraduate printmaking students, and undergraduate visual arts majors assigned to assist visiting artists to produce prints in the LNC.
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and minimum three years of related experience with background in intaglio, offset lithography, silkscreen and relief printing required.
Experience in running safety training workshops, and working knowledge of OSHA, EPA and NYC Fire Department and workshop safety protocols required.
Must have teaching experience at college level.
Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills required.
Must demonstrate computer literacy and experience with Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
Must be able to work collaboratively in realizing ambitious print projects with professionals at the highest level.
Must be approachable, good with people, and able to encourage and develop the skills and talents of younger artists.
Must maintain a professional demeanor and composure in high stress situations.
Preferred Qualifications
MFA strongly preferred.
About Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhattan, Columbia is the oldest institution of higher education in New York and the fifth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It is one of nine colonial colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence, seven of which belong to the Ivy League. Columbia is ranked among the top universities in the world by major education publications.
Columbia was established by royal charter under George II of Great Britain. It was renamed Columbia College in 1784 following the American Revolution, and in 1787 was placed under a private board of trustees headed by former students Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. In 1896, the campus was moved to its current location in Morningside Heights and renamed Columbia University.
Columbia scientists and scholars have played a pivotal role in scientific breakthroughs including brain-computer interface; the laser and maser; nuclear magnetic resonance; the first nuclear pile; the first nuclear fission reaction in the Americas; the first evidence for plate tectonics and continental drift; and much of the initial research and planning for the Manhattan Project during World War II. Columbia is organized into twenty schools, including four undergraduate schools and 16 graduate schools. The university's research efforts include the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and accelerator laboratories with Big Tech firms such as Amazon and IBM. Columbia is a founding member of the Association of American Universities and was the first school in the United States to grant the MD degree. The university also annually administers the Pulitzer Prize. With over 14.5 million volumes, Columbia University Library is the third-largest private research library in the United States.
