What are the responsibilities and job description for the Temporary Equipment Specialist position at Berklee College of Music?
Job Description:
Reporting to the Equipment Manager, the Equipment Specialist provides support and technical assistance to faculty and students on an array of highly specialized audio technologies, software, and equipment. They perform essential functions to maintain the correct and consistent operation of the equipment room: inspecting equipment at start and close of operations, assisting faculty with any course and setup needs, assisting students with any technical or operational issues, maintaining the established protocols for logging equipment in order to maintain inventory and ensure proper facility usage, and following up any issues either directly or via a ticketing system. They serve as high-level (Level II and III) technical support for specialized audio and music technology equipment both for floater equipment and for equipment installed and used through the Academic Technology Facilities. As needed, they also provide technical equipment support for students, faculty, staff, and college events.The Equipment Specialists collaboratively oversees a group of 15 Student Employees hired through the Student Employment Office.The 24 technology classrooms and labs are in operation 12-16 hours per day, seven days per week and serve thousands of music technology students, faculty, visiting artists, events, major residencies, special programs, college service and community outreach projects.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Under the direction of the Equipment Manager, maintain consistent Equipment Room operations.
- Provides in person, on-call, and remote support as well as technical assistance/troubleshooting for classes, student lab time, and special events in the technology labs and technology classrooms.
- Implements software, firmware, and hardware installations and upgrades during semester breaks. Conducts semesterly software and hardware testing: executes test plans, documents results, updates and trains in revised technical support techniques for new installations.
- Provides support for events occurring in the technology facilities. Performs setup, operation, troubleshooting, and breakdown of any needed technology equipment for these events.
- Keeps detailed records and submits reports of facility and equipment use, technical issues, and policy infractions using FileMaker Pro databases and web-based administrative software, including student check-ins to some specific rooms.
- Maintains continuity and flow of the equipment room operations by ensuring that all proper protocols and rules pertaining to lab use are adhered to.
- Support faculty and special event floater equipment reservations; including equipment delivery, setup, and retrieval, and advising on equipment usage as needed.
- Assist students and faculty to ensure proper equipment setup and usage.
- Maintain appropriate equipment documentation and support materials.
- Maintain a current inventory of equipment resources for checkout, installation, faculty development, and storage. As needed, assist the Equipment Manager with improvements to or updates of equipment checkout and tracking procedures.
- Maintain deep knowledge of all floater and installed equipment and specific equipment and workstation configurations, its compatibility within facilities, and its use in the curriculum
- Working closely with the Equipment Manager and with the Computer Systems team, research and implement updates to drivers, firmware, software and editors to stay current with operating systems used in, and ensure compatibility across the Academic Technology Facilities.
- Assist operations areas as needed to ensure day to day functionality of facilities. Coordinate with Studio Operations to provide overnight equipment checkout.
- Supervises Student Employees during scheduled shifts and trains new Student Employees on policies, day-to-day procedures, and troubleshooting methods
- Reports non-standard practices to the Manager
- Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a music technology field or equivalent professional experience.
- 1-2 years professional experience working in a music technology technical or support role
- Experience working with equipment used in electronic music and professional recording applications, and high-level ability to configure and trouble-shoot this equipment.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
- High-level understanding of various electronic music and professional recording equipment: microphones, recording devices, computer audio and MIDI interfaces (including configuration), signal flow, electronic instruments and synthesizers, software synthesizers, digital audio software, and related concepts.
- Understanding of and experience with specialized music technology equipment: modular synths, alternate controllers, spatial audio recording, etc.
- Experience with studio-specific topics (sync, surround sound, microphone theory, recording, monitoring setup, console routing and operation).
- Interest and ability in learning new and novel music technology equipment; and in providing resources for faculty and students to learn and use such equipment.
- Expertise with the Macintosh operating system, primary curricular software (Ableton Live, Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase) and related technologies
- Experience with Mac and Windows operating systems and software testing, including writing test plans and documenting results.
- Highly developed skills in DAW operation, audio recording and mixing, signal flow, microphone techniques, console workflow, analog and digital multitrack recording formats, MIDI, modern audiovisual systems, Dante and surround sound.
- Proficiency with audio software technologies such as, but not limited to, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reason, Ableton Live, Cubase, Finale as well as various audio plug-ins and virtual instruments.
- Ability to function well under pressure and maintain stellar customer service.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional leadership and motivational skills.
- Promotes courtesy, sensitivity and respect
- Fosters an inclusive workplace, advance engagement and team building
- Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
- Robust knowledge of web browsers, caching issues, multimedia plug-ins, and conferencing software.
- Familiarity with video creation and editing, and/or screen capture software such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro, or ScreenFlow.
- Experience with Workday, Colleague, Informer, and Google Data Studio is a plus.
- Experience working at a higher education institution or within online education is a plus.
- Ability to work with a team of music technology specialists in a diverse educational environment.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervision of on-shift Student Employees.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, ETC. (RESPONSIBLE FOR ON-CALL, 24 HR. COVERAGE, ETC.):
Evening and weekend work. Ability to carry 30 lbs.
This is a temporary replacement position expected to work until September 30.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:
We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at
hroperations@Berklee.edu
or call 617-747-2375.
Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.
*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*
Employee Type:
Temporary (Fixed Term)
