Equipment Manager

Job Description:

Reporting to the Director of Lab Operations, the Equipment Manager manages and coordinates all day to day aspects of Equipment Room operations, develops and implements standard operating procedures for users, plans and implements equipment upkeep and updates, and supports any specialized equipment needs. They manage the Equipment Room staff, ensuring essential functions to maintain the correct and consistent operation of the equipment are carried out correctly and appropriate support and technical assistance is provided to faculty and students on an array of highly specialized technologies, software, and equipment. The Equipment Room and related facilities are in operation 12-16 hours per day, seven days per week and serve thousands of music technology students, faculty, visiting artists, events, major residencies, special programs, college service and community outreach projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Provides escalated support and technical assistance for faculty, students, and special events in the Academic Technology Facilities.

• Coordinate with the Director of Lab Operations and other technical support staff as needed to resolve any software/hardware problems in the Technology Facilities.

• Under the supervision of the Director of Lab Operations, coordinate with vendors to follow up on maintenance and replacement of equipment.

● Under the supervision of the Director of Lab Operations, oversee semester break projects as needed, including upkeep and upgrades of equipment and any special projects.

• Direct the Equipment Room operations team in research and implementation of updates to drivers, firmware, software and editors to stay current with operating systems used in, and ensure compatibility across the Academic Technology Facilities.

• Develop and supervise software and hardware testing: execute test plans, document results updates and train in revised technical support techniques for new installations.

● Maintains deep knowledge of all floater and installed equipment and specific equipment and workstation configurations, its compatibility within facilities, and its use in the curriculum.

● Maintains the daily operations of the Academic Technology Equipment Room and related equipment.

● Manages Equipment Room staff and student employees including hiring, training/development, performance assessment, and scheduling. Coordinate with the Director of Lab Operations in designing and implementing Equipment Room staff training and development initiatives.

● Implement and enforce policy concerning student usage of Academic Technology equipment.

• Enforces regulations and policies pertaining to the proper use of equipment ○ Reports non-standard practices to the Director.

• Provides input for changes in equipment usage policies as needed.

● Is responsible for maintaining a current inventory of equipment resources for checkout, installation, faculty development, and storage.

• Monitors the status of equipment and curricular assets in the Equipment Room

• Researches and advises the Director of Lab Operations regarding improvements to or updates of equipment checkout and tracking procedures.

● Supports faculty and special event floater equipment needs, including planning and advising on best practices and configurations. Direct the Equipment Room staff on any special event support needs.

● Prepare documentation for equipment configurations for easy access by faculty, staff, and student users.

● Participates in coordinated projects with Chairs and Faculty as needed.

● Conducts staff training, facilities orientations, and creates staff training guidelines.

● Maintains an extensive inventory of equipment using FileMaker Pro databases with close coordination with Tech Crew, manufacturer representatives, and third-party repair technicians to ensure equipment is operating correctly.

• Oversees staff utilization of equipment databases and ensures data is correct.

● Collaborates with Director and Tech Crew to continually develop and improve support documentation to accommodate equipment configurations and meet the specific needs of student, faculty, and staff users.

● Assists other Academic Technology operations areas as needed to ensure day to day functionality of facilities.

● Oversees the scheduling of Staff and Student Employees.

● Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

● Bachelor's degree in a music technology field or equivalent professional experience.

● 2-4 years professional experience working in a music technology technical support or supervisory role.

● Experience working with equipment used in electronic music and professional recording applications, and high-level ability to configure and trouble-shoot this equipment.

● Leadership and staff management experience

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

● Leadership skills and ability to motivate employees.

● High-level understanding of various electronic music and professional recording equipment: microphones, recording devices, computer audio and MIDI interfaces (including configuration), signal flow, electronic instruments and synthesizers.

● High-level understanding of and experience with specialized music technology equipment: modular synths, alternate controllers, spatial audio recording, etc.

● Interest and ability in learning new and novel music technology equipment; and in providing resources for faculty and students to learn and use such equipment

● Highly developed skills in DAW operation, audio recording and mixing, signal flow, microphone techniques, console workflow, analog and digital multitrack recording formats, MIDI, modern audiovisual systems, Dante and surround sound.

● Proficiency with audio software technologies such as, but not limited to, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reason, Ableton Live, Cubase, Finale as well as various audio plug-ins and virtual instruments.

● Ability to function well under pressure and maintain stellar customer service.

● Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and work on multiple projects simultaneously with great efficiency and attention to detail.

● Experience with Mac and Windows operating systems and software testing, including writing test plans and documenting results.

● Experience with studio-specific topics (sync, surround sound, microphone theory, recording, monitoring setup, console routing and operation).

● Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.

● Robust knowledge of web browsers, caching issues, multimedia plug-ins, and conferencing software.

● Familiarity with video creation and editing, and/or screen capture software such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro, or ScreenFlow.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills

● Exceptional leadership and motivational skills.

● Promotes courtesy, sensitivity and respect.

● Fosters an inclusive workplace, advances engagement and team building.

● Experience working at a higher education institution or within online education is a plus.

● Experience with Workday, Colleague, Informer, and Google Data Studio is a plus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Direct Reports 2 FT Equipment Room Specialists, 1-2 Temp Equipment Room Specialists, and 15 Student Employees

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

• Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:

Staff