Recording & Audio Unit Coordinator

Title: Recording & Audio Unit Coordinator

Location: Vancouver Canada

Job Description:

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Engineering Technician 3

Job Title

Recording & Audio Unit Coordinator

Department

Administrative Support | School of Music | Faculty of Arts

Compensation Range

$6,347.00 - $6,802.00 CAD Monthly

This is a part-time salaried position at 60% FTE, and the full-time salary range will be prorated accordingly.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

This sound engineering position assists and provides technical support to the Recording & Audio (R&A) Unit Lead in all aspects of audio engineering & video recording production, post-production and various aspects of event production for the UBC School of Music, students, faculty, other University units and external clients.

The R&A Unit Coordinator is responsible for scheduling the program of training shifts for student workers as well as ensuring there are appropriate levels of technical support and equipment for all School of Music events and rental events.

Assists the R&A Unit Lead in the design, fabrication and maintenance of specialized, complex audio and video systems in the UBC School of Music's two main performance venues - Roy Barnett Concert Hall & the Old Auditorium, and works closely with internal and external clients to ensure that technical needs and available options are communicated clearly and delivered upon.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Administration Manager of the School of Music, with a dotted line of supervision by the R&A Unit Lead. Works closely with the Music Events & Marketing Support person to design and deliver complex technical requirements for rental clients. Also collaborates with the Reception & Administrative Support role to provide audio-engineering support for required student recitals.

Work Performed

• Supports the R&A Unit Lead in the design, installation and operation of professional-level audio engineering (recording and post-production) systems.

• Independently carries out assignments involving complex wiring systems utilizing analog and digital audio and video signal paths.

• Assists with maintenance as required on relevant School of Music systems and equipment, to meet the high degree of precision needed for professional teaching, performance and recording.

• Diagnoses and reports faults with equipment, systems or networks, including ordering of specialized components, to prevent interruption to academic documentation and external rental business.

• Coordinates the training and scheduling of a team of 6-10 student technicians each academic term.

• Ensures student technicians receive sufficient supervision and mentorship opportunities. Keeps an on-call schedule that is shared between the R&A Unit Lead so that students know who to contact to troubleshoot audio engineering issues.

• Keeps up to date with UBC's Work Learn Program and wider UBC regulations for student workers.

• Demonstrates and instructs users, including student technicians, in the usage and operation of specialized equipment and techniques.

• Coordinates and conducts technical venue tours for rental clients, event planners and VIPs.

• Communicates effectively with clients to establish their technical needs and make clear what can and cannot be provided.

• Supervises the distribution & storage of post-production deliverables and establishes technical guidelines for editing rounds, requests etc.

• Work with multiple service providers and key vendors to ensure delivery of services.

• Responsible for maintaining safety requirements, in connection with all technical work, and in the use of electronic equipment by faculty, students, and external clients.

• Stay informed of advances in technology and equipment, and update knowledge accordingly.

• Carry out other related duties as required, in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Recording and production activities involved in live events often require immediate, decisive action and judgement in high-pressure, ever-evolving situations and the incumbent must have the ability to troubleshoot and work with alternative solutions in the event of equipment failure or other unanticipated issues.

Errors in audio or recording can have an immediate effect on student & professional performers as well as the public reputation of the School of Music. Graduate-level performances and lecture/recitals must be fully documented for external examination, and therefore there are also academic consequences.

This position is responsible for ensuring appropriate technical support and equipment for internal and external events. A high degree of attention to detail is essential to the smooth running of these events, and consequence of error could be the loss of rental business and associated income.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Administration Manager of the School of Music, with a dotted line of supervision by the R&A Unit Director. Works independently under their general direction.

Supervision Given

Assists with training and coordinates the work of up to 10 student Recording + Audio technicians. Reviews the team's work for quality and professionalism and schedules "on call" times for troubleshooting audio engineering issues

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a technical college or institute or completion of a recognized apprenticeship and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate and/or Masters degree in a relevant discipline or graduation from a technical college or institute (Music, Sound Recording, Audio Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or CIT) and/or equivalent education and professional experience.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in professional audio and video recording environments working with established recording artists and performers.

• Ability to collaborate on research, planning, purchasing, implementation and operation of high-level recording systems and all aspects of audio and video production, videography and post-production workflows.

• Wide-ranging background in performing arts environments including, but not exclusive to, venue operations, event management, stage and video lighting, coordination with Front of House, stage management and event support partners.

• Experience in live sound-reinforcement environments with an emphasis on acoustic music performances requiring a high degree of precision and refinement.

• Advanced computer skills including maintaining Mac & Windows operating systems, complex networking protocols including Audio over IP (AoIP), Digital Audio Workstations (preferably Merging Pyramix), non-linear video editing workflows using DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere or other equivalent programs.

• Ability to diagnose and arrange for the repair of faulty or damaged equipment or systems.

• Ability to collaborate on complex research in areas outside immediate purview to advise on matters material to the SOM including large-scale renovation projects, budgets and emerging technologies.

• Experience teaching and working with students in academic and work/learn environments with emphasis on teaching technical and procedural skills and supporting students in mentorship opportunities, progress and wellbeing.

• Experience coordinating events and managing the communication between artists and performers, recording technicians, external clients and audiences in a professional and/or educational venue and environment.

• Experience in recruiting, hiring, training and supervising both inexperienced and experienced staff and working alongside outside professionals in high pressure environments.

• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, customer service, problem solving and supervisory skills.

• Ability to work independently and within a team environment and to work under pressure to meet deadlines and tight production schedules.

• Extremely organized and detail oriented.

• Knowledge of University policies and protocols.

• Must be willing and able to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as required by scheduled events.