| The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts at Oregon State University is seeking a Sound Engineer/ Audio Video (AV) Manager. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.
The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts is a new $70M building currently under construction. The facility features multiple venues, including a 499-seat concert hall, a black box theater, an outdoor arts arena/stage, a 3000-square-foot gallery, and additional arts presentation spaces, classrooms, and programming locations. In addition, as part of its “Unboxed” series, the PVR CCA will present performing arts at locations throughout the OSU network, which includes both formal and improvised venues on the Corvallis campus, the Cascades campus, the Newport campus, the community, and beyond.
The Sound Engineer/AV Manager provides sound mixing, AV program management, and artistic expertise in sound-and-video related areas for a variety of live arts genres, including music, theater, immersive experiences, readings, and other traditional as well as experimental models, mediums, and approaches. Supervision of student interns and/or hourly workers will be expected. The Sound Engineer/AV Manager will be responsible for communicating with artists about performance needs, implementing technical riders, and developing and actualizing plans for creatively maximizing the venue’s capacity in the light of specific performance needs. The Sound Engineer/AV Manager reports to the Associate Director of Events and Production and will bring extensive knowledge of sound engineering as well as artistic video installation/implementation to live performances. The Sound Engineer/AV Manager will be required to determine and implement the best approach to a wide variety of audio mixing, projection, and similar artistic situations. The Sound Engineer/AV Manager will work closely with faculty in the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts to direct and mentor students in such academic arts areas as audio productions technologies, technical theatre, and related fields. Under the direction of the Associate Director of Events and Production, the Sound Engineer/AV Manager is responsible for ensuring that artistic approaches to sound, video, and projection associated with performances – by both OSU and visiting professional artists – are completed on-time and in a way that maximizes the creative use of the facility or equipment and responds to emerging best practices and developments in the fields of technical theatre, sound engineering, and arts production. Makes recommendations for external contractors and vendors who may be needed to carry out successful productions. The Sound Engineer/AV Manager will work on a team with the Arts Venue Manager for larger productions, while requiring enough basic knowledge across a wider variety of technical arts areas – including lighting, special effects, and stage setting – to be able to manage the artistic and technical needs for smaller venues and/or smaller shows singlehandedly.
The CCA is mindful that traditional arts education and engagement approaches may create barriers to access that are socioeconomic, racialized, or otherwise reflective of systemic forms of bias, and has committed to using artistic platforms to lower those barriers and advance Oregon State University’s goals in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Alongside all the staff, the Arts Venue Manager/Technician will be responsible to that mission. Position Duties 40% Sound Engineering and Creative AV Management Develop and implement creative approaches to live sound mixing, acoustics, communications, projections, and video content. Conduct sound mixing, AV, and other venue operations during all assigned live performances, shows, and events. Review technical riders for compatibility with the equipment and capabilities of the venues (including found or improvised spaces that may not be in the building), and work with artists and staff to develop innovative, artistically powerful plans for meeting performance needs and aesthetic requirements. Manage production equipment and specifications within budget. Attend productions meetings, work calls, rehearsals, and other pre-event meetings in order to respond effectively to the unique requirements of each performance or event project. 25% Venue Preparation and Video/Audio/Archival Documentation Prepare and calibrate sound and AV equipment for each performance. Conduct recordings of live events with video cameras and audio equipment, commonly in coordination with faculty and students in the Music Technology and Production program. As needed, conduct additional aspects of arts production for certain shows, acting as the primary (and, in the case of small shows, sole) on-site manager of the venue, including lighting, effects, work on seats and risers, laying and removal of technical performance surfaces, stage setting, and similar tasks. Engage with contractors for backline, event equipment, additional professional sound or lighting, and artists’ technical and road crews. 10% Artistic Collaboration Coordinate with faculty in the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts, with community arts partners of the Reser Center for the Creative Arts, with guest artists, and with rental clients to develop and implement approaches to sound and AV design. 10% Staff and Student Supervision and Mentoring Orient, train, and mentor staff and students – including student workers, students in credit-bearing courses, and student interns – in sound engineering, projection technologies, and venue management, including all safety programs and protocols as well as creative artistic approaches to live production and performance. 10% Safety, Maintenance, and Long-Term Planning Maintain safety documentation and compliance record for venue equipment. Monitor the condition of equipment and arrange for repair and replacement within budget constraints. Conduct or facilitate maintenance of audio equipment, projectors, and other AV equipment. |
