Laboratory Schools : Audio, Visual, and Technical Support Specialist

Department

Lab School Technology

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

The A / V and Technical Support Specialist serves two important roles in the Information Systems group. The AV Tech is the primary technician for all audio-visual systems and equipment managed by the Information Systems group and also provides technical support for laptops, desktops, iPads, printers, copiers, and other devices. This is a full-time, non-exempt 12-month position that reports to the Director of Information, Registrar and Compliance Services.

Responsibilities

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair A / V equipment : projectors, interactive flat panel displays, speakers, control systems, standard flat panel displays, video conferencing systems, cameras

Support general A / V needs by meeting with event organizers and ensuring that equipment is set up and ready for use, including troubleshooting issues during the event

Manage projects involving third-party contractors as needed for installation, repair, and upgrades of small to mid-size installations, including defining needs, analyzing bids, and making vendor recommendations

Provides onsite AV support for events such as school assemblies, parent meetings, performances and ceremonies.

Serve as primary A / V technician for various sized meetings and events as directed in classrooms, school performance and meeting spaces, and dining hall, including setting up and managing sound mixers, microphones, video cameras, and control boards

Proactively identify potential campus A / V improvements and work with superiors to develop, propose and recommend solutions about how to improve current systems and processes

Proactively contact and train employees to use the A / V equipment in classroom and meeting spaces, including conducting in-person trainings and creating documentation

Initiate and support use of streaming technologies for broadcasting selected school events

Under the general direction of service desk management, the Service Desk Support Specialist provides Tier 1 support, acting as the first level of contact for all IT issues. Provides technical support and advice to members of the University community. Provides technical and customer support primarily via phone, live chat, walk-up, email, and web submittal.

Support includes email accounts, connectivity issues, operating system problems, spyware / virus removal; as well as support for various enterprise applications and a variety of desktop software packages. Writes support documents for common problems and questions to be maintained in the IT Services Knowledge Base.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience :

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications :

Preferred Qualifications

Education :

Bachelor's degree in related technical area

Experience :

Minimum of three years of experience in a related field

Certifications :

CTS Certification

Technical Knowledge or Skills :

Strong computer skills including the ability to effectively use technologies such as Epson short throw projectors, Newline interactive display, Yamaha QL1 mixer, IPEVO document cameras, MacOS, ChromeOS, Zoom, live streaming, and Video production strongly desired.

Application Documents :

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (required)

Three Professional References (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$30.83 - $39.90

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at :  . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.