Film Equipment Specialist (Hybrid)
The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 23 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.
Department/Program Description: The Department of Art & Art History is an interdisciplinary department offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in art history, art practice, documentary filmmaking, and film and media studies. The team of 16 staff support the research and teaching of 25 faculty and some 30 lecturers each year. The department has approximately 145 undergraduate majors and minors and 56 graduate students. The core values of our department include integrity, respect, inclusion, creativity, service, and stewardship. The Department of Art & Art History is committed to building an equitable, antiracist, and non-discriminatory environment that empowers all students, staff, faculty, and community members. Department courses offer opportunities for students to gain enhanced understanding of the meaning and purpose of the arts, their historical development, and their role in society through practical engagement with a variety of physical and digital media and theoretical and critical study. (Mediums include wood, metal, sound, photography, film, comics, virtual reality and more). Our faculty teach a wide variety of socially impactful art and media courses that grapple/unpack topics of activism, decolonization, global politics, and social identities. (Course topics can be reviewed using search terms ARTSTUDI, ARTHIST, and FILMEDIA on Stanford’s Bulletin).
Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Film Production Technical Manager, the Film Equipment Specialist works closely with faculty and students to provide day-to-day support of video & film production courses in the Department of Art & Art History as in-house expert. You will have overall responsibility for the maintenance, tracking, inventory and distribution of complex film-related systems and tools such as cameras, projection equipment, production equipment, and the use and upkeep of all associated computing hardware and software. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to calmly and swiftly adapt equipment setup to accommodate last-minute changes or emergencies, recommending alternative sets and workarounds as needed; understand and clearly communicate in-depth knowledge of current video technology; research, recommend and implement equipment and software purchases.
This is a 100% FTE, continuing exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.
If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.
CORE DUTIES:
- Research, prepare and produce digital media for instruction, promotional programs, location and studio programs, live video conferences and webcasts, live-on-tape studio, and/or other communicative purposes for both internal and external audiences.
- Partner with clients on strategic and creative approaches to projects involving abstract or technical content to meet objectives and within time and cost constraints: articulating the production process and expectations, communicating issues, providing status updates, and suggesting appropriate methods for improvement.
- Develop and market digital services to internal and external clients to create visual content, including video and images and provide best practice standards that foster photographic and video excellence.
- Manage all aspects of capturing, recording, and transmitting of all digital media productions, video and/or images
- Make recommendations for purchases and repairs of digital media equipment. Diagnose and resolve digital media system problems (including audio, video, projection, and film finishing equipment and computers including hardware, software and networking issues). Create cost estimates for different equipment options. Provide stewardship of university resources.
- May be responsible for producing remote multi-camera programs, supervising field crews and managing technical aspects and overall approach for productions, including all collateral.
- May produce high-quality post-production and editing to ensure a quality product and an accurate depiction of content. May review and edit masters to meet the needs of the client(s) and/or producer and properly store, label, and archive of masters and edited masters.
- May produce high-quality digital surrogates of fragile and/or rare materials or other analog sources for access, display, and preservation purposes using a variety of equipment.
- May set up, operate and troubleshoot on a variety of equipment including but not limited to; video cameras (both analog and digital), design production and post-production workflows, video projection, video compression and mastering for distribution, video conferencing, signal distribution and switching, digital audio recording, green screen lighting and compositing, still photography, analog and digital audio recording. May train or provide guidance to other staff.
- May act as liaison with vendors, develop strategies, workflows and rate cards for clients, identify competitive pricing for products and services and close projects for billings.
• Oversee the configuration and operation of program facilities including the Film Equipment Cage, student edit suites, green screen lighting studio, classrooms, and projection booths.
• Transcode and build Blu-ray/DCP packages and execute final screenings of student work.
• Preparation and cleaning before and after equipment is checked out and returned.
• Manage WebCheckOut, inventory tracking, and general maintenance.
* Other duties may also be assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• A bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Advanced technical experience using digital media equipment, video creation, editing software, and/or digital media control software.
- Strong knowledge of production techniques, including videography, compression and file delivery, and other production formats.
- Broad knowledge of all aspects of professional quality productions, including field and studio camera, lighting, sound, and editing,
- Understanding of online video environment and online distribution.
- Demonstrated ability to perform various audio, visual, and computer equipment repairs.
- Ability to adapt equipment setup and provide alternative workarounds if necessary.
- Ability to manage various simultaneous projects within tight deadlines, excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, mature judgment, and diplomacy required to interact effectively with and provide customer service to a broad audience.
- Ability to work independently and effectively in a collaborative team environment.
- May require experience planning, coordinating, and executing archival digitization projects.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks
- Frequently stand/walk, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, and reach/work above shoulders.
- Occasionally sit, twist/bend/stoop/squat.
- Visual acuity including color vision.
- Ability to lift Film/Video equipment weighing as much as 50lbs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class license.
* – Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
• A bachelor’s degree in Film, Communications, or Broadcast Technology and five years of relevant experience working in AV film and video productions or combination of education and relevant experience
• Advanced technical experience using analog (16 mm) and digital video production equipment, video creation, editing software Premiere Pro, and/or digital media control software.
• Mastery of Adobe Premiere CC software and Creative Suite
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Occasionally work on weekends, evenings, holidays, and flexible shifts.
- May have exposure to high voltage electricity, noise > 80dB TWA, confined spaces, and working at heights above 10 feet.
The expected pay range for this position is $72,000 to $98,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
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The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.