Position Title:Building Services Specialist II
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience
Job Description:
Are you an experienced, hands on professional who enjoys helping students create, build, and innovate? The Student Innovation Center is seeking a Building Services Specialist II (Shop Supervisor) to support the daily operations of our Metals and Woods Makerspace. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about safety, skilled in fabrication and shop environments, and excited to work with students, faculty, and staff.
The Metals and Woods Makerspace supports personal, club, research, and course related projects and provides access to a wide range of fabrication equipment. The space includes metalworking equipment such as mills, lathes, drill presses, bandsaws, MIG and TIG welders, and other fabrication tools, as well as woodworking equipment including table saws, miter saws, bandsaws, lathes, sanders, and hand tools.
In this role, you will help create a safe, welcoming, and collaborative environment where students can develop hands on skills, complete projects, and bring their ideas to life.
What You'll Do
This position focuses on three primary areas: makerspace operations, equipment management, and customer support.
Makerspace Operations
Coordinate the day to day operations of the Metals and Woods Makerspace.
Train and supervise students, faculty, staff, and student employees on the safe operation of tools and equipment.
Implement and enforce shop safety standards, procedures, and best practices.
Support course, research, club, and individual project needs.
Maintain training records, equipment documentation, and operational records.
Help ensure the makerspace remains safe, organized, accessible, and welcoming for all users.
Equipment Management
Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on metalworking and woodworking equipment.
Maintain a clean, organized, and functional makerspace environment.
Assist with inventory management, equipment setup, and supply ordering.
Develop and improve equipment training materials, standard operating procedures, and shop practices.
Serve as a knowledgeable resource for makerspace users and fabrication projects.
Ensure the safety and security of equipment, facilities, and users.
Customer Service and Engagement
Create an environment that encourages learning, creativity, collaboration, and safe equipment use.
Build positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
Support workshops, demonstrations, events, and outreach activities that showcase the Student Innovation Center.
Provide excellent customer service and technical support to makerspace users.
Communicate effectively with managers, stakeholders, and users at all levels.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate is a self starter who values safety, enjoys working with people, and takes pride in maintaining a well run shop environment. They are comfortable teaching others, solving problems, and supporting a wide variety of projects.
Strong candidates will have experience working with metalworking and woodworking equipment and fabrication processes, along with the ability to learn new equipment and technologies. They will demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to build positive relationships with community of makerspace users.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supervising employees or students in a shop, laboratory, makerspace, or similar environment.
Experience developing, implementing, and enforcing safety procedures and standard operating procedures for equipment use.
Experience providing customer service or technical support in a hands on environment.
Experience operating, setting up, or training users on fabrication equipment such as mills, lathes, welders, drill presses, bandsaws, table saws, sanders, CNC equipment, or additive manufacturing equipment.
Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, or repairing shop, laboratory, or makerspace equipment.
Additional Information
This position is located on site in the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University.
The work schedule is Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with scheduled 30 minute breaks at noon and 5:30 p.m.
Regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners is expected.
Work is performed in an active makerspace environment and requires adherence to established safety standards, training requirements, and operating procedures.
About the Student Innovation Center
The Student Innovation Center is a campus wide hub for creativity, collaboration, and experiential learning. The center provides access to makerspaces, tools, equipment, and programming that empower students to explore ideas and bring them to life. Staff play an important role in fostering an inclusive and innovative environment that supports student success and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience supervising employees or students in a shop, lab, or makerspace environment
Experience developing, implementing, and enforcing safety procedures and standard operating procedures for equipment use
Experience providing customer service or technical support to students, faculty, or staff in a hands on environment
Experience setting up, programming, and operating fabrication equipment such as CNC machines, woodshop tools, metalworking equipment, or additive manufacturing equipment
Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, or repairing shop, lab, or makerspace equipment
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS808
Original Posting Date: July 6, 2026
Posting Close Date:July 19, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R19539
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub (https://www.myworkday.com/isu/d/task/2998$46522.htmld?reloadToken=892f884ef9c2fa7e5e6257ecf4e9e942f7aa1a12df75918c6ce41bc78e123167) .
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
