Production Equipment Specialist

Department: NUQ Production & Digital Media
Salary/Grade: ITS/75
Under limited supervision, the Production Equipment Specialist at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) will be responsible for daily equipment cage operations, including inventory, class equipment preparation, installation, operation, repair, and maintenance of complex media systems, including photography, digital cinema, TV broadcast, and multimedia productions. They will provide in-classroom support, including assisting/training faculty and students in the use of such facilities and equipment, such as Canon Cinema cameras, RED Cinema cameras, DSLRs, ENG systems, and advanced lighting equipment such as Aladdin Bi-flex, ARRI Skypanels, and Apurture COB light fixtures. The Production Equipment Specialist will provide close mentoring and instruction to the students in the use of the technology to complete their course assignments. They may be asked to edit video projects using various programs in the Adobe Creative Suite, such as Premiere Pro and After Effects. Work schedules will be flexible and may require evening and/or weekend hours.
Reporting to the Manager of Production Operations, the Production Equipment Specialist will also work with Northwestern University in Qatar's information technology staff, as directed by the Manager of Production Facilities, to identify, install, and maintain appropriate equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The daily operation in the production equipment storage room (The Cage) as needed, including equipment check-ins and check-outs, and the WebCheckout ticketing system.
• In concert with Information Technology, maintains the complex networked computer systems used for media production and/or the application software (Adobe Creative Suite, ENPS, Web Checkout)
• Performing minor equipment repairs in-house, diagnostic functions, and implementing maintenance actions and installation of the equipment.
• Provide assessment of damaged equipment, providing information on possible repair or replacements costs and coordinate external repairs or replacements. Creating and tracking invoices and communicating with students and Business and Finance regarding late fines and fees for missing or damaged equipment.
• Assists in the day-to-day operation of NU-Q media production facilities including still photography, digital cinema (Canon, Sony, GoPro, RED), both studio and field lighting and grip equipment (Arri, Aputure, ETC), podcast, TV and news productions. (Sentence here moved to it’s own bullet point above)

• Supporting NU-Q faculty in the preparation of course material and/or technology requirements of classes when requested.

• Provides in-class training and orientation to faculty, students, and staff for all media production facilities including individual training sessions as needed for faculty, students, and guest lecturers

• Provide support for audio-video equipment including cameras, digital acquisition (Canon Cinema cameras, Sony, Arri, RED and other DSLRs), video servers, monitors, conversion devices, switchers, grip and distribution equipment

• Assists in the evaluation of new technologies for use in NU-Q and their applicability to the market and NU-Q programs. Provides recommendations regarding new technologies and their integration into NU-Q programs.

• Maintains awareness of evolving media technologies through professional publications, outside contacts, and ongoing professional development. Provides recommendations regarding new technologies and their integration into the NU-Q programs.

• Creates workflows, documentations and user guides for various types of equipment

• A bachelor’s degree in production, media technology, or comparable field and significant production experience or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• Three (3) years related professional experience in the media industry, with hands on experience.
• Previous teaching experience in either a formal or in-house environment
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to lift/move and install equipment up to 20kg (approx. 44.0 lbs) including cameras, lighting, and editing CPUs when necessary.
• Ability to maintain respectful and effective working relationships with a variety of parties throughout the University’s community.
• Ability to use both PC and Mac applications.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to take initiative, be proactive and work independently.

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, skills)

• Fluency in the English language

• Demonstrated knowledge of editing software in a Mac environment (Adobe).

• Demonstrated knowledge of Mac OS X.

• Ability to work closely with students and student employees.

• Ability to use both PC and Mac applications.

• Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to take initiative and work independently.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• 4-6 years of experience working in media production environment, either producing or training and teaching.
• Experience working in a higher education environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of media production and software in a Macintosh environment (Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suites)
• Ability to prepare documents, white papers and teaching resources on basic and advanced use of media technologies for University faculty members, staff and students.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.
• Fluency in English and Arabic and knowledge of Qatari customs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of web design.

The target hiring range for this position will be between $51,350 to $67,310 per year. The offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.