ABOUT THE ROLE
Skilled in audio-visual technology and interested in SAM? SAM's AV Services Team is hiring for a full-time AV Systems Engineer. This role effectively performs and manages the maintenance, load-in, operation, and load-out of Audio-Visual systems and equipment across all three museum locations (Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Seattle Art Museum Downtown).
ABOUT SAM
As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job - it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
AV Support
- Manage audio-visual facilities and operate AV systems across all locations
- Assist the Associate Director in selecting capital AV equipment
- Perform installation, maintenance, teardown, and other services as directed
- Support a variety of activities, including but not limited to, lectures, theatrical performances, acoustic and amplified music performances, multi-cultural demonstrations, corporate presentations, hybrid events or meetings, private venue rentals, educational and public engagement programming, and a variety of development and fundraising activities
- Support a variety of exhibit presentations, including within individual works of art
- Set up and operate hybrid events and meetings
- Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients and visiting artists
- Supervise on-call staff through the load-in, run of show, and strike
- Maintain equipment and supplies inventory as required for supporting presentations, functions, and exhibits
- Perform routine and specialty maintenance on audio-visual equipment and related computer systems
- Keep current with changing technology in the audio-visual field and utilize best practices
- Assist Production Manager in securing rental equipment as assigned
- Work cross departmentally to help create and install audio guides, interactives, and other exhibit-based needs
- Ensure safe installation of AV equipment
Administrative
- Assist in training new AV staff and contractors in the operation of audio-visual systems across all sites
- Assist in creating training materials for new staff
- Participate and assist with equipment budgeting and timeline creation as assigned
- Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to define and deliver effective AV support
- Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders towards the successful completion of projects and delivery of day-to-day needs
Other Duties
- Contribute to an institutional focus of delivering exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service - creating positive, meaningful experiences for all visitors, every time
- Participate in institutional learning opportunities to grow our collective understanding and integration of antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Five years’ experience in theatre, event, or audio-visual work
- Experience with industry standard video switching/engineering systems
- Proficiency in the maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operation of AV systems equipment and technology, including working knowledge of digital video projectors, live sound reinforcement, theatrical lighting, power distribution, and video recording equipment
- Working knowledge of a variety of audio and lighting consoles
- Ability to maintain performance spaces
- Experience with and understanding of safe rigging practices
- Ability to successfully execute high visibility events
- Experience with industry standard video switching and engineering systems
- Experience and knowledge of proper temporary electrical wiring practices (including varying voltage systems)
- Ability to work effectively and positively with technical and nontechnical staff across all organizational levels and disciplines as well as with external contacts
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with executives, management, and employees
- Professional verbal and written communication, with an ability to tailor your communication according to audience
- Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects
- Successfully assess priorities and work well with deadlines, strong time management, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Highly organized and adept at self-initiation, and working with autonomy
- Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet-based research
- Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in theatre, film, television, or equivalent experience
- OSHA 30 or 10 certification
- Experience in working with a mix of in-house AV staff, free-lance technicians, and contractor supplied technicians
FSLA Status: Full Time, Non-exempt Reports To: Associate Director of Audio-Visual Services Work Location: Seattle Art Museum Downtown, Seattle Asian Art Museum Volunteer Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park
WORK CONDITIONS
- Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with moderate background noise. Workspaces may include outdoor events.
- Approximately 25% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 75%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
- Clear and effective verbal and written communication with trustees, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
- Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos and other appropriate paperwork.
- Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
- Ability to transport up to fifty (50) pounds of equipment and supplies.
- The ability to work safely at heights is required, ability to work on ladders and scaffolding is required. Safe operation of multiple types of personnel and scissor lifts is required.
BENEFITS
Benefits include a fully employer paid HMP medical plan or an employee contribution PPO plan, dental, vision, and basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D, Flexible Spending Account, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Dental Insurance and participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.
Following 1 year of service and 1,000 hours worked, SAM makes a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation and provides an employer match program. Historically, this contribution has been made annually.
Additional benefits include paid time off for vacation, PSST, bereavement leave, and jury duty, 14 scheduled holidays, 1 paid floating holiday, a subsidized unlimited Orca card, onsite fitness facility, and an EAP. FT Staff also receive a Patron level membership to SAM, a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums and discounts to museum shop and programming.
ACCOMODATION
The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hr@seattleartmuseum.org. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.
SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic
Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!