Audio Supervisor - College of Creative Arts and Media

The College of Creative Arts and Media at West Virginia University are currently accepting applications for an Audio Supervisor.

About the Opportunity

The Audio Supervisor supports the academic and artistic activities of College of Creative Arts & Media students, faculty, staff and guests by working to ensure the audio needs of all CCAM live events, including the University Arts Series, are met with the highest level of professionalism. Additionally, this role contributes to the overall operation of the CCAM Production & Facilities Office through assigned duties and by working both collaboratively and independently to uphold established departmental standards.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

House Audio Engineer

• Serve as house audio engineer for all University Arts Series (UAS) events directly providing on-site support throughout each event load-in, show and load-out.
• Working in conjunction with Production Manager and Assistant Dean, advance all audio and video needs for UAS events, including communicating with touring personnel, coordinating with other in-house staff, securing required supplies or rental gear, and participating in pre-hang prior to touring company arrival to ensure all contractual obligations are met on time and within budget.
• Serve as audio engineer, monitor engineer or house audio engineer for other assigned events, including load-in, operation and load-out.
• Advance Audio needs for in-house, resident company and rental events.
• Design, implement and/or augment sound systems as necessary to meet the needs of each production.
• Oversee all use of backline equipment required for productions, especially all UAS events.
• Manage, maintain and support use of College-owned backline inventory for use in productions,
• Coordinate supplemental backline rentals as needed,
  and continually evaluate trends to make recommendations for future purchases.
• Record, edit, archive and/or distribute audio recordings of or in support of live events as needed.
• Create, edit, interpret, share and archive technical drawings and documentation in the service of communication and execution of all aspects of audio production.
• Oversee training of student audio engineers in use of School- and College-owned equipment.

Event Production Support

• Provide support to fellow Production Staff related to the safe and effective operation of audio and video equipment on their assigned productions.
• Work in conjunction with fellow Production Staff members, faculty, staff and students as appropriate to ensure the general safety and smooth operation of events, rehearsals, set-ups and strikes within the facilities.
• Provide other general production support as needed for all UAS events.
• Supervise student production crew and other part-time workers in relation to assigned tasks.
• Serve in various roles across production departments, including stage management, to support the successful advancing, setup, operation and strike of assigned events.

Livestreaming

• Assist with setup and execution of the livestreaming of events as needed and in conjunction with fellow Production Staff members.
• Serve as additional resource for student workers in the execution of various assigned livestreaming duties.

Classroom Support

• Support classroom activities as needed.
• Assist with maintenance of installed audio-visual systems in classrooms.
• Provide training and/or setup and operational assistance to faculty and guests as needed.
• Deliver, setup, operate and/or strike portable audio-visual systems and components as requested.
• Evaluate usage, needs, campus standards and industry trends to recommend future upgrades.

General Upkeep and Maintenance

• Maintain audio, video and other specialized equipment as assigned by performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and planning and implementing upgrades as necessary.
• Monitor the condition of all audio/video equipment and assist in maintaining other equipment, including lighting, staging, and rigging equipment.
• Maintain inventory and order specialized supplies.
• Make recommendations to the Assistant Dean of Production regarding capital purchases of technical equipment for CCAM facilities.
• Take a proactive approach to improving the facilities and operation of the College of Creative Arts & Media.

Pay Grade: 17

• Bachelor's degree in related field or additional equivalent experience. Four years of full-time professional live audio experience can be substituted for a bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of six (6) months professional experience involving:
  
  
  
  • Live audio mixing across multiple genres, including classical, jazz, pop, musicals, spoken word, etc.
  • Digico console experience required
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to maintain calm professionalism and focus in high pressure situations
• Microphone selection, placement, operation and upkeep
• Proficiency with audio software and networking, including qLab, common DAWs, Dante audio and AV, etc.
• D&B Audiotechnik experience or demonstrated experience with comparable AV systems (e.g. Meyer Sound, L-Acoustics, etc.)
• Electronics maintenance and repair
• Vectorworks or Autocad experience
• Basic video capture, editing, distribution and projection
• Proficiency with setup, hosting and operation of cloud-based collaboration tools, including Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Ability to navigate challenging circumstances with creativity, flexibility, patience, tenacity and empathy
• Ability to work independently to uphold established standards
• Excellent written and verbal communicator
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights
• Basic shop safety and familiarity with common hand tools and power tools
• Knowledge and experience in theatrical industry standard practices
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to operate theatrical lighting, sound, video, and mechanical rigging equipment
• Ability to perform tasks requiring exposure to dust, heights, moving parts, and noise
• Ability to make major repairs to theatrical lighting, sound and mechanical rigging equipment
• Ability to lift, bend, stoop, walk, reach, stand and work in cramped areas for extended periods of time.
• Ability to frequently lift or carry objects weighing up to 75 pounds
• Ability to interpret, enforce and communicate policy and procedures
• Abilitiy to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards
• Ability to work amicably with all users, especially students, faculty and members of the public

Preferred Qualifications

• Yamaha, Allen & Heath, Midas console experience
• Professional experience in academia

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid driver's license to transport equipment and personnel between buildings and to offsite events as necessary.

Physical Demands & Physical Coordination

• Sitting, standing, stooping, walking
• Lifting up to 75lbs
• Working long shifts
• Working at heights

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.