Laboratory Technician 3

University of Connecticut, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Storrs Mansfield, CONNECTICUT
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

JOB SUMMARY
The Digital Media & Design Department in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for a Laboratory Technician 3. The position will have overall responsibility for working with the Associate Department Head to oversee all technology and facility-related areas in the department.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The selected candidate will have the following responsibilities as the sole technician within a highly technical digital art and design department:
  • Manage the department's inventory of specialized, technological equipment (digital cameras, lighting, interactive hardware, sound recording equipment, etc.) and recommend and research new purchases.
  • Maintain equipment/studios in proper working order; troubleshoot and resolve technical problems; may be responsible for design, construction or modification of such equipment.
  • Operate, test, and calibrate equipment and related components, making adjustments and resolving difficult problems (troubleshooting).
  • Manage and oversee checkout procedures for department's technology / equipment for student and faculty use.
  • Train and oversee 2-4 student labor and graduate student employees per semester in the media cage / specialty facilities.
  • Coordinate / schedule use of specialized studios and labs. 
  • Assist and train students and faculty on proper use and safety of equipment and lab/studio spaces, through various methods and techniques. Maintain necessary records, proper studio and lab conditions and safety procedures.
  • Support faculty in their instructional technology, as needed.
  • Act as primary guide for capstone MFA and BFA exhibitions, liaising with venue managers.
  • Manage department's specialty lab spaces (Motion Capture Studio, Sound Studio, Film Production Studio, Physical Computing Space, VR / Gaming Studio, Digital Experience Lab, Cintiq Lab, Social Media Analytics Command Center, etc.).
  • Provide technical support and assistance for projection mapping projects with Green Hippo or similar media server software and hardware.
  • Provide technical support and assistance for Motion Capture projects with Natural Point Motive:Body software and Flex 13 motion capture camera system.
  • Provide setup and technical support for demonstrations of department technology.
  • Perform project management with teams of students, faculty, and outside contractors to ensure classroom-based interactive projects are delivered to professional standards, within budget and on time.
  • Provide interaction design, documentation, and programming assistance for classroom-based interactive projects which utilize Unity software.
  • Perform research and make recommendations for new technology hardware, software, and audio/visual purchases to address future department and project needs.
  • Work with vendors for competitive pricing, research, and solutions for gear.
  • Provide technical support and assistance for virtual programming events (guest speakers, visitors, etc.) in video conferencing, YouTube Live, and related programs.
  • Provide guidance for policies and procedures regarding technology and facilities (safety, inventory management, etc.)
  • Liaison with UConn facilities as needed for building maintenance. 
  • Keep abreast of developments in related digital technology through reading of online resources, scientific journals and/or technical papers.
  • Support visiting lecturers' technical needs in both in person and virtual presentations using Zoom / Webex, organizing and running tech for lectures.
  • Other duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's Degree in digital media, digital art, film/video production, computer science or related fields.
  • 4 to 5 years experience as a digital technician.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply a variety of concepts, techniques and practices to broad-based projects in digital media, interactive design, video production, and computer programming.
  • Experience with fine art / professional gallery-type exhibition design and installation.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, to both technical and non-technical people with various levels of understanding regarding technical functions and technology.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills. Demonstrated experience working with customers and end users.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master's degree and 2 years experience.
  • Demonstrated experience providing higher education-related technical support to faculty and students.
  • Demonstrated experience with Optitrack motion capture software and systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with virtual reality systems and software.
  • Demonstrated experience with a variety of film production equipment such as cameras, lighting,  film peripherals, dollys, booms, and audio recording equipment.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Digital Media & Design (DMD) department is a uniquely interdisciplinary academic unit led by faculty from the fine arts, business, STEM, and humanities fields. Established in 2013, this innovative and evolving department currently has 26 full-time faculty members, 310 undergraduate and 18 graduate students (MFA and MA) and offers BFA and BA degrees in the following concentrations: Digital Film/Video Production (BFA), 3D Animation (BFA), Motion Design & Animation (BFA), Game Design (BFA), Web / Interactive Media Design (BFA), Digital Culture, Learning, & Advocacy (BA), and Digital Media Business Strategies (BA).
All of our concentrations place a strong emphasis on collaboration and experiential learning, best preparing our students for the challenges they may face when working in industry. The department has established strong working partnerships with large and small companies, start-ups, public institutions, and charitable nonprofits, giving students hands-on, real-world opportunities that benefit the creative economy of the state.
The UConn Storrs campus is located in a beautiful area of New England, with a moderate cost of living and proximity to major cultural, recreational, and urban centers of the Northeast. The University community provides residents with a rich diversity of cultural, artistic, athletic, and historic experiences. UConn is ranked as the top public university in New England, and among the top 25 public universities nationwide.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time appointment with a start date of October 1, 2021.  The successful candidate's primary appointment will be at the Storrs campus with the possibility of travel to regional campuses on occasion. Salary is competitive and based on background, qualifications, and professional experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate's compliance with the University's Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #495522 to upload a cover letter specifically addressing your credentials relative to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above, a complete resume, and names and contact information for three (3) professional references. Please include your last name as well as search #495522  in the document title for each document submitted.
Review of applications will begin on August 30, 2021 and will continue until filled. If you have questions related to the search, please send a detailed inquiry to Stacy Webb, Administrative Assistant for the Department of Digital Media & Design, at [email protected], with #495522 Laboratory Technician 3 SEARCH in the subject line. For more information regarding the Department of Digital Media & Design, visit http://dmd.uconn.edu.  
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on August 27, 2021. 
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.


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Internal Number: 495522-2276_1629926600

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