Design Thinking Instructor and Makerspace Engagement Coordinator

Posting Detail Information

Working TitleDesign Thinking Instructor and Makerspace Engagement Coordinator

Position LocationCSU Spur Denver, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office / in-person

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202501252AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional / Research Professional

Classification TitleProf / Indiv Contrib I

Number of Vacancies1

Work Hours / Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$60,000-$69,000

Employee Benefits

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Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11 : 59pm (MT) on09 / 29 / 2025

Description of Work Unit

The CSU Spur campus, located at the National Western Center in Denver, Colorado houses three buildings focused on water, food and agriculture, human and animal health, and sustainability. Within the Spur buildings, CSU conducts research and convenes experts from around the globe; students of all ages engage with science and have opportunities for exploratory learning, transforming their thinking about food, water, and health, and the careers available in these fields; and partners join in programming the space and bring evolving content to the year-round campus.

Position Summary

This is a 9-month position at the CSU Spur campus in Denver that will be responsible for building and scaling the RDC's design thinking presence, programming, and relationships. This includes teaching design thinking courses, planning and running design thinking workshops and other community-engaged activities on weekdays and some evenings and weekends, such as Spur's Second Saturday events. The role also involves supervising and coordinating the makerspace, located in The Shop, collaborating with our Dual Enrollment Coordinator to foster new relationships, particularly in K-12, supporting existing design thinking initiatives at Spur and community partnerships.There are also opportunities to earn summer salary for entrepreneurial activities, summer for-credit classes, camps, summer courses, and / or special events.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can work independently and also lead small teams. They must be outgoing and eager to engage with community members of all ages, and they must be committed to ensuring the safety of all users in the lab and maker environments.

Required Job Qualifications

Master's Degree in a design, human services, or STEM -related field

Design Thinking knowledge and skills

Ability to develop and teach design thinking in formal and informal settings

Experience with digital fabrication equipment, such as a laser cutter / engraver, 3D printer, and related software.

Ability to move equipment, materials, or tools weighing 30 lbs. with or without assistance

Preferred Job Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in related field

Graduate credential or degree in Design Thinking

Experience teaching undergraduate or graduate courses

Experience with fabric equipment, such as sewing machines and fabric printing (e.g., dye sublimation).

Experience coordinating an academic or public makers space or fabrication lab

Experience with design software : Adobe applications (e.g., InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and 3d modeling software (e.g., Rhino, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Versa Works, Slic3r, Bambu Studio, Pursa Slicer, Blender, Unity / Unreal Engine).

Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, excellent customer service and professionalism

Demonstrated experience collaborating on teams with a track record of achieving established goals and objectives

Demonstrated ability to give and receive critical feedback

Capable of effectively documenting program accomplishments, record keeping, and inventory management

Ability to exhibit confidence and competence in public speaking settings for the purposes of workshops, trainings, instruction, and lab tours.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategorySpur Makerspace Management

Duty / Responsibility

Ensure maker space safety rules, best practices, and procedures are followed by all users

Assist in developing entrepreneurial efforts for funding support.

Assist with finances through monitoring expenditures, including purchasing, organization, and storage of lab consumables (supplies and materials), material sales, income from workshops, and other sources.

Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and staff to support instructional needs related to use of the makerspace, including advising on how to integrate digital fabrication into curriculum and coordinating materials, preparation, and time schedules for all tasks required to prepare facilities for specific course needs.

Provide users with assistance in the development and execution of desired projects.

Assist in developing and implementing an inventory system for recording and tracking materials, consumables, and equipment replacement components

Identify appropriate sources for materials and equipment from suppliers and assist with ordering supplies.

Assist with maintenance, testing, and repair of hand tools, power tools, and machinery in the maker space to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and safety.

Provide support and trouble-shooting for a diverse range of fabrication platforms

Develop and implement a regular maintenance and service schedule for equipment.

Engage in recruitment and development activities, including guided tours and demonstrations of facilities and equipment.

Keep up to date on state-of-the-art developments in design and fabrication, including materials, hardware, software, machinery and processes.

Develop and keep up-to-date safety and training manuals and procedures.

Provide instruction in the safe and correct use of hand and power tools and equipment for students and faculty.

Other duties as assigned.

Percentage Of Time45%

Job Duty CategoryCommunity Engagement and Student Recruitment

Duty / Responsibility

Build and scale the RDC's design thinking presence, program, and relationships at Spur; assisting the RDC Director and staff in the development, management, and expansion of a broader strategy for design thinking in the Denver Metro area.

Plan and run design thinking community-engaged activities on weekdays and some evenings and weekends.

Assist Dual Enrollment Coordinator in maintaining and expanding existing partnership opportunities among partnered schools, communities, and K12 education professionals.

Plan, coordinate, and execute Spur Second Saturdays for the RDC Makerspace. This includes ideating on concepts related to theme for the month, doing necessary prep work for the event, setting up the maker space, engaging with visitors through the event, and then cleaning the space up.

Other duties as assigned.

Percentage Of Time15%

Job Duty CategoryTeaching

Duty / Responsibility

Teach design thinking for-credit courses (IDEA110 : Design Your Life with Social Impact and IDEA210 : Introduction to Design Thinking) as well as and prototyping (utilizing the makerspace) and / or creative technologies courses (e.g., VR, App development)

Develop and teach not-for-credit short courses, tutorials, workshops, and executive education programming.

Other duties as assigned.

Percentage Of Time40%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV or resume, teaching statement, and design portfolio (as a pdf or link to website), and contact information for 3 professional references directly to this posting. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Special Requirements / Other - This position occasionally requires a non-traditional work week, with community-engaged events outside of traditional working hours and on the weekends. The chosen candidate must be able to work these hours.

Search ContactLaura Malinin, laura.malinin@colostate.edu

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and / or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (

• ).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Resume or CV

Portfolio

Statement of Teaching Interests

Optional Documents