Exhibit Fabricator

POSITION TITLE

Exhibit Fabricator

REPORTS TO

Exhibits Manager

DEPARTMENT

Exhibits

SUPERVISES

None

UPDATED

March 2024

WORK SCHEDULE

On-site, Monday-Friday, 9 to 5 PM. This role requires flexibility to accommodate installations and some travel is required to support traveling exhibitions.

SALARY

32.91

Why MoPOP

We’re really glad you’re thinking about joining the team at MoPOP! We believe pop culture is a universal language capable of building connections across a range of people, no matter our differences in race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, education, socio-economic status, ethnicity, country of origin, or any other characteristic that makes us who we are. For more than twenty years, we have been showcasing how music, film, fashion, video games, sports, and more spark those connections and create a lasting cultural impact.

MoPOP provides both a physical space and an emotional and intellectual opportunity for people from any background to explore, find and build community, and recognize their own creative potential. This applies not only to our guests, but also to our staff — be it in designing an educational program to engage the next generation of creators, trying to reach a new audience with a marketing initiative, preserving an artifact in our collection, or providing excellent customer service to a visitor. If this sounds like something you’d be into, we’d love to hear from you!

MoPOP’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility 

Our mission is to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities. A nonprofit grounded in five core values — open arms, creative exchanges, light bulb moments, pursuing excellence, and excitement — MoPOP is actively committed to ongoing learning in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). In partnership with our community, we hope to also develop safe spaces for their application. This includes taking steps to continue increasing our awareness of institutional “-isms,” as well as uncovering and undoing the ways they show up in museum culture. We recognize this is a process that requires intentionality, energy, and resources, and we are developing a DEIA framework that can cultivate a work environment and museum experience that is truly welcoming for all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that having staff, interns, and volunteers with diverse backgrounds enables us to better meet our mission and encourage BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals to apply. We acknowledge that our work to build safe spaces and better systems for traditionally marginalized groups is ongoing and will require constant vigilance and expect all MoPOP employees to be part of our DEIA journey.

Position Summary

MoPOP seeks a generalist builder to create prototypes and exhibit components for interpretive Pop Culture exhibits. This position works collaboratively with a team of fabricators performing cabinetry, carpentry, and/or mechanical work, with a variety of materials, including wood, plastics, metal, and fabrics. The Fabricator will center and employ archival practices, maintain a high-quality gallery experience, and perform routine maintenance on existing and long-term exhibitions. The Exhibit Fabricators utilize their expertise to recommend core elements within an exhibit, support bringing curator’s vision to life, and contribute to the look, feel, and vibe of MoPOP.

Essential Job Duties (additional duties as assigned)

• Collaborate with a team of fabricators to build MoPOP exhibitions from concept research and materials purchasing to painting and finishing gallery walls.
• Build cases, walls, platforms, furniture, and scenic pieces for new exhibits and prototypes, actively participating in team meetings to troubleshoot complicated builds.
• Work with Exhibits Manager and exhibit designers to help detail fabrication methods and materials for exhibit components as needed.
• Perform carpentry, metalwork, wiring or light mechanical work, painting, finishing and sewing as required. 
• Support the collections + curatorial teams in installing new exhibits and casework in the museum’s galleries.
• Order, track, and reconcile expenditures using Purchase Orders and credit card for the Exhibits department.
• Unload trucks, paint walls, assemble exhibit components, and coordinate with others through the installation process. 
• Follow lighting layouts, installing light fixtures & focus lighting for new exhibits. Ensuring that the space meets ADA and state lighting requirements.
• Provide a high-quality experience for MoPOP’s visitors in each of the exhibit galleries through the routine maintenance of lighting, repairs to casework, and theatrical elements in each of the galleries.
• Routinely maintain exhibits, perform repairs, adjust and replace lighting, and proactively identify wear and tear.
• Upgrade existing exhibits in collaboration with the Exhibits and Collections Teams. 
• Work with ETC lighting system for setting and checking light levels to maintain the highest conservation standards for the artifacts and to provide a theatrical environment in the galleries.
• Assist the Collections team with access to the artifacts in the galleries, as needed.
• Maintain high safety standards in the exhibit shop which will involve coordinating and scheduling regular cleaning and training per OSHA standards.
• Maintain shop equipment as needed to guarantee consistent and efficient operation.
• Experience with, or ability to learn basic artifact handling skills to support the Collections team as needed.
• Support our internal culture which inspires and empowers our staff to live our mission to its highest standards.
• Contribute to a consistent customer service standard across all departments.
• Work to ensure customer service is ingrained at the core of the team and is reflected outward to our guests and other staff.
• Commitment to participating in anti-racism work, learning about the ways institutional racism impacts the workplace, and supporting teammates in operationalizing DEIA strategies in the department.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A minimum of four (4) years of extensive experience in cabinetry and metal fabrication. 
• Experience with welding stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum. Machining is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of exhibit fabrication techniques. 
• Experience in exhibit production, blueprint reading, mechanical fabrication and repair, and minor electrical and electronic installations, a plus.
• Ability to analyze the needs of a fabrication project, synthesize a solution in line with design intent and shop capabilities, and execute the project to completion.
• Ability to purchase and maintain materials and equipment as needed. 
• Knowledge of OSHA and other regulations in an exhibits or cabinet shop environment.
• Ability to drive a forklift and use material-handling equipment (MoPOP will train and certify)
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and ability to drive a 16-ft Box Truck and other company vehicles (MoPOP will train and certify)
• Ability to understand detailed verbal and written directions/instructions.
• Ability to work independently with strong attention to detail.
• Computer skills, including MS Office Suite; basic proficiency of AutoCAD, Fusion 360, or SketchUp a plus. 
• Experience with artifact, thematic, or theatrical lighting is a plus
• Experience with, or ability to gain knowledge of working around museum artifacts
• Ability to proactively anticipate and efficiently solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment with a dynamic range of people.
• Ability to assume high levels of responsibility, handle stress, stay organized, focused, and leveled.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational abilities and able to manage a continuous workflow in a high volume, multi-tasking environment.

Benefits

This regular full-time position includes Medical/Vision insurance, Dental insurance, Life/AD&D/LTD insurance, 3.08 hours of accrued Vacation per bi-weekly pay period, Seattle Sick/Safe, 2-7 Floating Holidays dependent on hire date, 8 Company Holidays paid throughout the year, EAP, 401k plan with vested match schedule once eligible, and subsidized transportation benefits for Orca Pass or parking.

Please email jobs@MoPOP.org if you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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