Design/Build Teaching Assistant

Yestermorrow Design/Build School Employer:
Waitsfield, VT, USLocation:
Wed, Apr 6 '22Posted on:
ContractType:

Semester Program Summary: 

Started in 2011, the Semester in Sustainable Design/Build has been an ongoing partnership between Yestermorrow Design/Build School (Waitsfield, VT) and UMass Amherst’s Department of Architecture (Amherst, MA). Based in Waitsfield, VT, and operating annually for the Fall Academic Semester, the ‘Semester Program’ takes up to 15 undergraduates and recent graduates through an architectural design process to the substantial completion of a single, high-performance, year-round structure. While completing a 15-credit course load, students receive instruction in design, assembly and detailing, and building performance while exploring group processes, definitions of sustainability, and relevant contexts. This full-immersion, credit-bearing semester in green building and design complements architecture, building science, engineering, and environmental design majors and has wide application in liberal arts curricula. 

Job Summary: 

The Design/Build Teaching Assistant is responsible for supporting the day-to-day running of the Semester Program. The ideal candidate will feel comfortable mentoring students, facilitating studio culture, have fluency in the basic creation and review of sketch-level construction drawings, comfort on a job site facilitating safe use of hand and power tools, and have the ability to provide oversight for project management under the guidance of lead faculty. 

This position is ideal for someone looking to gain teaching experience in a supportive atmosphere to complement already existing technical skills in design and construction. Students of Architecture, recent graduates, past Yestermorrow interns, semester and certificate students with experience taking courses at Yestermorrow are all encouraged to apply. 

Responsibilities:

• Support faculty during and outside of class time 5 days a week
• Offer guidance and oversight to students in the studio and on the job site 
• Facilitate class discussions, reading groups and homework assignments
• Assist faculty in evaluating student performance and grading
• Provide resource support in the communal living experience (camp counselor meets RA)
• Engage in studio design and site construction when appropriate and offer expertise towards problem solving in both environments 
• Act as an extra set of eyes, particularly with regard to group dynamics and job site safety 
• Help coordinate, manage and respond to tool and construction material needs 
• Occasionally facilitate subcontractor support 
• Assist faculty in project management and scheduling
• Assist faculty and students in upkeep of the facilities and tools 

Requirements:

• Moderate to Advanced knowledge in Design and Construction
• Interest and Proficiency in Sketching, Manual Drafting, and Computer-Aided Design required (Sketchup is used in this course)
• Knowledge of general woodshop safety required
• Comfort and ease working in a mentorship capacity, experience in teaching a plus
• Desire to develop teaching skills 
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Desire to learn and be trained in advanced concepts in construction and design
• Interest or experience in sustainable design strategies 
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to work with a group in a fast-paced, fun, immersive environment is a must! 

Compensation: 

$150.00 weekly taxable stipend, on-campus lodging on our campus in Waitsfield and three meals/day in our kitchen Monday-Friday. Opportunity to participate in workshops at Yestermorrow on weekends at no cost on a space- available basis. 

Term:

August 29 - December 16, 2022 

(this includes one week before students arrive on campus and one week after students depart)

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume and a work sample or portfolio to anastasia@yestermorrow.org