Tech Support Coordinator (Sessional)

Job End Date

Apr 30, 2025

The Seasonal Tech Support Coordinator is a two-year term position within the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (JWAM). The incumbent works Monday to Wednesday between mid-August to end of April

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

The School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (JWAM) is a new unit for innovative research and teaching, with programs and courses for graduate and undergraduate studies in Journalism and Writing Studies. Contributing to the development of scholarly and professional journalism practice, writing, and media production competencies across and beyond UBC, the School creates unique opportunities for students to succeed as writers, multi-platform journalists, content creators and media professionals in an era of significant shifts in communication technology and culture. The incumbent will work within JWAM with a focus on the needs of the professional journalism program.

The position provides professional technical expertise, guidance, and advice to students and faculty, and ensure all technical resources are being used safely and efficiently in digital learning spaces. This role is responsible for managing production equipment and providing informal training on the use of software, mobile, AI/AR technologies, digital audio recorders, cameras, microphones, lighting and other tools for gathering, editing, and sharing materials.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Manager of Administration in JWAM. The incumbent will interact and communicate directly with faculty and students to provide support on a broad range of school activities including the teaching and learning mission, faculty research, and community outreach activities. Liaises and collaborates with external commercial consultants and technicians as well as additional UBC service partners, including members of the Arts ISIT and Emerging Media Lab teams.

Work Performed

- Demonstrates and advises students and faculty on the appropriate use and operation of a range of audio-visual equipment and systems, including emerging digital technologies such as audio editing software, video editing software and visualization software, use of web production tools including WordPress and interest/aptitude for other emerging technologies such as 360 video, AI and AR.

- Provides support in the use of prosumer and professional photography and video equipment, including the use and processing of visual assets, lighting, and downloading/organizing media.

-Provides basic explanation and instruction for best practices with technology and equipment and ability to innovate is an asset.

- Provides support in the use of professional audio equipment, including portable digital recorders, a range of directional, cardioid and omnidirectional microphones, as well as lavaliere microphones. This training includes EQing audio as needed. - Provides support in the use of appropriate media editing tools, including Adobe Premiere, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Audition and Audacity (digital audio editing software)

-Demonstrates a high level of knowledge of technologies and their functions (benefits and limitations)

-Provides support using IOS and Android technologies with a willingness to innovate and experiment with faculty and students

- Provides maintenance, troubleshooting, instruction and support to students and faculty on the use of mobile phones for Mobile Journalism, Cameras (digital, HD video, video), and AI/AR - emerging technologies.

- Provides instructional support for production of journalism on websites and on social media platforms

- Performs weekly routine preventative maintenance on audio-visual equipment and systems including inventory check of supplies; inspects and monitors the use of and routinely maintain and repair audio-visual equipment and systems to ensure they are in good operating condition; ensures relevant software and firmware is updated regularly.

- Organizes and maintains an inventory of equipment and supplies including cameras, audio recording studio and desktop video editing stations and associated materials, and stores them in an orderly fashion, to ensure that adequate equipment and supplies are kept for use by students and faculty.

- Coordinates the registration and configuration of audio-visual equipment and systems related to media production.

- Implements and ensures the smooth operation of online equipment checkout system, including the training of faculty and students on use.

- Makes recommendations on hardware, software (operating system and applications) and networking configurations, including equipment and purchases to meet the academic needs of the Master of Journalism program.

- Responds in a timely manner to requests from instructors for assistance with familiarization and preparing equipment for instructional use.

- Responsible for ongoing A/V troubleshooting and event setup as necessary

- Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Work requires judgment and initiative. Due to the unpredictability of support issues and equipment failures, the individual must have the ability to troubleshoot and work with alternative solutions. If unable to meet the tasks and to satisfy the instructor's needs could result in a failed presentation and class interruptions.

Supervision Received

Receives instruction during orientation and on subsequent new assignments or changes in procedures. This position is responsible to carry our familiar duties and responsibilities usually independently with minimal supervision. They will provide the supervisor with daily and/or weekly updates on issues and work progress.

Supervision Given

This position does not supervise, but may explain work sequences to provide training on the use of AV equipment to others.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline 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

Enthusiastic about contributing to the learning environment of the University. Competency in set-up and operation of audio-visual equipment and systems, in particular for media production. Comprehensive knowledge of emerging digital media technologies and their application for media production is an asset. Experience creating audio, graphics, motion graphics, social and/or video production is an asset. Experience with Windows OS and Mac OSX environments as well as operation and support of laptop computers, existing and emerging audio-visual equipment and systems. Ability to troubleshoot and advise students/faculty about gear and equipment. Ability to suggest equipment and technology for specific journalistic tasks. Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision. Physical ability to perform the duties of the job. Physical ability to lift, move, carry up to 25 kb. Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods. Ability to use a variety of hand-tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers etc. and simple electronic test equipment such as voltmeters, continuity checkers, soldering equipment etc.