Details
Posted: 27-Jul-22
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Salary: Open
Department: Norris University Center Admin
Salary/Grade: NEX/14
Norris University Center, located at 1999 University Drive, offers spaces, services and guidance for student learning, community engagement and cultural inclusion. It is home to dining options, meeting rooms as well as a bookstore, box office, bank, art gallery and more. Learn more about Norris University Center here: https://www.northwestern.edu/norris/index.html
About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/strategic-themes.html
Job Summary:
This position supports the AV and IT operations of the Norris University Center. This includes the install, maintenance, operation, and support of AV and IT equipment within the Norris University Center and other Norris managed venues. The Technical Specialist provides hands on technical support for events, delivering a high-end experience for all event organizers and attendees. The Technical Specialist frequently works with university administrators and VIP clients and supports events essential to maintaining the top tier reputation of the university. The Technical Specialist typically works without direction, and must be able to sustain communication with diverse groups, anticipate and solve problems, manage conflicts, balance competing priorities, make difficult decisions.
Note: This position requires evening and weekend work along with a flexible schedule; requires lifting up to 50 pounds; requires the ability to ascend and descend stairs and crawling in tight spaces; requires a current driver’s license and the ability to drive a small truck; may require business professional attire for certain events.
Principal Accountabilities:
(40%) Provides direct support to VIP and complex events happening in Norris University Center, Norris Satellite Venues, Cahn Auditorium and other event spaces across campus.
Completes standard setup and testing of AV and IT systems prior to client arrival. Serves as department contact to interface directly with clients day of event, and relays relevant questions or concerns to other departments. Employee completes majority of activities without direction, consulting with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances.
(20%) Provides computer, AV, and IT troubleshooting support to event space users.
(20%) Provides standard installation and maintenance of endpoint technology, including computers, projectors, cameras, and other audio/visual equipment.
Tests and troubleshoots equipment utilizing hardware and software testing tools and techniques. Coordinates standard projects, working closely with peers and users to deliver optimum service. Tracks maintenance and depreciation using asset management software. Employee uses some judgment to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies and/or procedures and a moderate degree of innovation, analysis and reasoning to complete work that is somewhat project oriented and involves some complex problems and/or decisions. Tracks tasks and deliverables to ensure timelines, milestones and goals are met.
(10%) Provides work direction for project team members, contractors, vendors, and students.
Communicates with manager regarding performance of staff assigned to projects or events. Mentors, trains, and develops student staff and new team members. Also maintains a mentorship relationship with student organization leaders who use our spaces and equipment.
(10%) Recommends modification of practices and procedures to increase effectiveness or efficiency.
Creates and maintains user documentation, including website, dashboards, info sheets, manuals, and tutorials. Partners with other departments and industry colleagues to ensure best practices are being followed.
(5%) Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field related to AV or IT, or 2 years equivalent industry experience.
- Licensed driver with Ability to drive departmental vehicles
- Experience with high level event production
- Experience with live event audio, concert audio, theatrical sound design, and/or audio recording.
Minimum Competencies:
- Demonstrated strong customer service focus
- Advanced audio/visual production
- High level of self-motivation and demonstrated capacity for independent judgment, planning, evaluation and decision-making
- Knowledge of both Mac and Windows PC computers
- Demonstrated knowledge of Event Production for live events
- High attention to details and solid organizational skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in sound design, live audio, audio recording, or IT.
- Experience as an A1 or lead audio engineer in a multiple microphone environment
- Experience with live performance and theatrical productions.
- Experience in Higher Education and/or College Union
Preferred Competencies:
- Skilled in the operation of both digital and analog audio consoles
- Knowledge of wireless microphone technology and understanding of the wireless spectrum
- Experience with operation of Crestron control systems
- Skilled in the operation of both Mac and Window PC computers
- Knowledge of projectors, video switchers and video cables
- Basic knowledge of event planning
- Knowledge of lighting equipment and basic lighting techniques
- Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with student and professional staff, Division colleagues, and the University community
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.
Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
