Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, service and support the computing needs of faculty, staff and students of the Department of Music with academic, performance and special event technical needs. Managing the audio-visual equipment, assisting with media production and ensuring high-quality technical execution of concerts, rehearsals, recordings, lectures, workshops and related instructional activities. Oversee the CoreMusic Computer Lab in practical and theoretical applications of IT to the study of music, music production, music education, scholarship and performance. Support faculty, staff and students by providing IT and media resources to support research, academic and administrative goals. This includes effective development and management of lab and other IT resources and supervising graduate and undergraduate personnel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Install and update software, diagnose and troubleshoot software and hardware problems. Manage support for IT-related issues such as email, web or network outages by working with other IT staff to help provide the best possible IT environment and support for faculty, staff and students. Provide faculty, staff and students with general training in the use of software and hardware used in music notation, sequencing, audio recording, graphic design, web-design and creation of other educational media for classroom, research or presentations. Oversee purchasing for specific technical needs of the music department. (25%)
Provide AV Support for events and performances. Setup and support sound systems, microphones, projectors, recording devices, and livestream equipment for concerts, lectures, rehearsals and special events. Coordinate with faculty, students and guest artists to meet technical needs for performances, recitals, speakers and rental events. Provide on-site technical support during live events, including real-time troubleshooting audio and video issues. (20%)
Consult with faculty to assist in the selection and appropriate use of hardware and software to meet instructional, performance and research goals. Identify classroom technology needs in consultation with faculty, coordinate equipment. Keep abreast of new instructional and communications technologies and industry trends and make recommendations that will advance the use of these technologies for music research, education and performance. Work collaboratively with the media vision team and teaching and learning technologists on ideal classroom design. Identify solutions for expanding information technology needs. Assist faculty in writing grants to support special projects and hardware/software needs. (15%)
Maintain computers, hardware and software for the Core Computer Lab, faculty/staff, and classrooms. Work with databases as needed. Secure and handle sensitive data appropriately. Serve, in coordination with the Department of Music department assistant, as principal web content manager for the Department of Music web site. Manage the Department YouTube channel. (15%)
Interview, hire and supervise student lab assistants. Delegate duties and oversee operations of student staff. Provide technical and operational training of part-time and student employees who may be employed to assist in running daily functions. Manage the core budget, in consultation with the Department of Music chair and department assistant. Coordinate development of the Core Computer Lab with other CWRU facilities and expertise to leverage the resources elsewhere in the university and to share the expertise and resources of the Core Computer Lab with the campus community in appropriate ways. (10%)
Provide support for recording, post-production, content and digital media. Record department events (audio and/or video) and manage editing, uploading and archiving recordings. Produce and format media for promotional, archival or educational use. Maintain organized digital archives following department naming and storage protocols. Ensure proper permissions are in place for all public content and comply with university branding and privacy guidelines. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties assigned. (5%)
CONTACTS
Department: Frequent contact with UTech staff serving the College of Arts to coordinate department technology services with initiatives including the computer refresh program and web site updates. Occasional contact with MediaVision and Teaching and Learning Technologies for help with media related projects and technology-enhanced classroom upgrades and maintenance. Contact with other UTech staff regarding information technology support, networking, infrastructure, software, technology services and university-wide information technology initiatives and governance.
University: Frequent contact with the chair of the Department of Music on the technology needs of department, including monthly updates and progress reports. Daily or weekly contact with the Music department assistant to coordinate efforts on projects and tasks and coordinate budget for the Core Media Lab. Regular contact with the Music department faculty regarding technology support needed, training, and troubleshooting of technology problems. Daily or weekly contact with lab assistants to ensure that assistants are fully trained to provide service to the Music department and manage assistants on day-to-day basis. Occasional contact with student employment. Contact with digital humanities staff at the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities and digital scholarship staff in Kelvin Smith Library. Occasional contact with Office of Procurement and Distribution Services to resolve purchasing issues relevant to the Core Media Lab.
External: Maintain close contact with other music/technology centers, departments, and schools to determine directions in field. Contact with vendors as needed to fulfill position objective. Contact with Apple representatives for purchasing, troubleshooting and managing role in VPP program. Contact with colleagues through conferences and meetings at peer institutions.
Students: Weekly contact with students to train or supervise training on the use of technology.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage student work-study and graduate assistant staff of approximately 8 graduate and undergraduate students. Delegate duties and oversee operations of this student staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience/ Education: Bachelor's degree in related technical field and 3 years of related experience OR an Associate's degree in computer and/or related technical field and 5 years of related experience. Training in instructional technology is preferred. Degree/certificates in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Media production or related fields preferred. Other technology certifications may be desired after hire.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Experience with Apple computers and Microsoft Office products. Familiarity with cloud services such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Box, iCloud, etc. preferred.
Experience with music notation and graphic art software, including MIDI digital audio sequencing and editing software. Understanding of and ability to teach software packages, including music software.
Experience in multimedia design capabilities. Experience in web design, web content management systems, and web site maintenance preferred. Familiarity with online course management systems, wiki, blog, podcast, and video-conferencing preferred.
Experience installing and configuring computer hardware.
Experience with live audio/video production and recording. Post-production editing referred.
Ability to understand organizational change in light of internal and external trends, influences, and future technology.
Strong team player and able to handle heavy workload.
Ability to handle scheduled tasks along with unscheduled emergencies and priorities.
Strong customer service outlook and a desire to create an exceptional experience for staff, students and guests of the university by adapting to the given audience or situation and supporting the customer through to the resolution of the root cause of their issue. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Ability to actively listen, responsive to verbal and non-verbal clues. Ability to empathize ¿ listening and actually becoming involved in what the customer is explaining about their situation.
Ability to respond to difficult, stressful and sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers. The ability to recognize awkward or potentially embarrassing situations which sometimes arise. Always aware of tone and careful choice of words, while at the same time ensuring that the intended message is clear, polite and readily understood. Ability to be flexible to meet the constant changing scope and needs of the department, division and customers being served.
Ability to work independently, under general operational guidelines.
Ability to work as part of a team, being able to play the roles of team leader and team player as required.
Demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to prioritize based on situation, deadlines and solutions.
Ability to optimize the use of time and resources to achieve the desired results; effectively plan and organize work to minimize crises.
Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills
Consistently models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for the individual.
Experience working with various populations.
Ability to handle sensitive, confidential and/or proprietary information. Ability to exercise meticulous care in the maintenance, control and accessibility of sensitive information.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Occasionally early morning, evening, or weekend hours may be required for special events, maintenance activities or projects. The employee may be required to carry a cell phone, during and after their normal work hours, including weekends to attend to after-hours emergencies. Overtime may be required in emergency situations. The Core Media Lab is currently located in the basement of a historic building on campus which does not have an elevator. Ability to lift computer and audio-visual equipment (up to 50 lbs.), balance, bend/stoop.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience/ Education: Bachelor's degree in related technical field and 3 years of related experience OR an Associate's degree in computer and/or related technical field and 5 years of related experience. Training in instructional technology is preferred. Degree/certificates in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Media production or related fields preferred. Other technology certifications may be desired after hire.
