Educational Technology Specialist

At VCU, we exceed through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. As a premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive.

Since its founding in 1937, the VCU School of Business has built strong ties with the Richmond community and beyond. Offering 13 bachelor’s and 19 master’s degrees, as well as three Ph.D. concentrations and seven certificate programs, we welcome nearly 4,000 students each year.

Forbes ranks Virginia first as the Best Place to Do Business. Richmond, as the capital of Virginia, is located in the heart of the east coast economic corridor with more than half of the U.S. population within a 750-mile radius. It is home to Fortune 1000 companies and small start-ups.

Position Summary

The School of Business invites talented and diverse candidates to apply for the role of Educational Technology Specialist within our Technology Services team. This position is responsible for assisting in the programming and deployment of the School of Business’s classrooms, seminar, breakout, and meeting spaces. It also ensures that the spaces and upgrades are deployed in ways that are consistent with the university and space within the School of Business. The Educational Technology Specialist monitors A/V equipment within the unit and proactively performs preventive maintenance before issues arise. The position consults with School of Business faculty and serves as a liaison within university committees to enhance and promote the use of various technologies in both the physical and online classroom setting. This role supervises the online / executive hourly Program Tech and serves as backup support to the hourly Program Tech and Help Desk Manager.

Duties & Responsibilities

Audiovisual and Event Support

• Work with university media support services and A/V vendors in programming, updating, and testing programs within new and existing systems
  
• Assist with the maintenance of classroom, seminar, breakout, and meeting room multimedia systems and equipment, including Crestron, Extron, Vaddio and other A/V equipment as well as lecture capture systems.
  
• Develop procedures and processes to proactively maintain complex classroom A/V and control systems, document procedures and ensure completion of this work is performed in a timely manner
  
• Focus on consistently providing best in-class support to faculty, staff and students, in the classroom and in support of all meetings and events
  
• Promote excellent customer service by taking responsibility for assigned functional areas, owning problems until resolution
  
• Support inventory management of A/V assets in all mediated spaces
  
• Maintain documentation of repairs and troubleshooting of appropriate existing equipment through Kace and ServiceDesk ticketing system
  
• Establish and maintain effective communication and cooperative working relationships with university faculty, administration, staff, government, and private agencies and/or the public to accomplish the objectives of the program or unit
  
• Attend appropriate hardware and software training classes
  
• Serve as backup support and provide assistance to the executive programs and online for-credit programs
  
• Assist in creating LMS templates and implementation
  
• Provide guidance and assistance with online mediums (Zoom, Kaltura, Blackboard Collaborate)
  
• Support and schedule classroom lecture capture and personal lecture capture
  
• Edit and convert video for proper playback
  
• Assist and oversee A/V hourly support staff while providing guidance and mentorship
  

Educational Technology Facilitation

• Provide A/V system training and support for faculty and staff, including the creation of tutorials and end user documentation
  
• Develop and encourage best practices regarding the use of A/V technology
  
• Analyze installed A/V equipment, control systems for ease of operation and effectiveness, and make recommendations for upgrading or replacing systems and equipment
  
• Stay abreast of trends in A/V technology and integrate appropriately to ensure the School’s excellence in instructional, conference, and collaboration spaces
• Analyze functional and performance issues associated with use of A/V technology, collaborate with peers on possible solutions and implement corrective actions in a timely manner
  
• Actively maintain relationships with user community, proactively communicate relevant information, and stay informed of user’s needs and initiatives
  

A/V Project Management

• Oversee the installation of new and refreshed systems to verify proper connectivity and functionality by A/V vendors. Troubleshoot installation and create a punch list of issues as needed
  
• Develop, implement and/or coordinate processes for the regular maintenance, replacement, upgrade and standardization of A/V technology
  
• Identify and advise on emerging technology setups, testing and verification of the solutions
  
• Assist and verify in pre-bid, project scope, pre-installation and turn over review of audiovisual projects

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in information systems or related discipline and 3 years of professional experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of video conferencing solutions (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangout).
  
• Equipment expertise in current projectors, flat panel displays, visual presenters, interactive digital presentation, audio amplifiers and mixers, various audio and video switching devices and electronic control systems (i.e. Crestron, Extron, Biamp, Shure, Sennheiser, Epson, Sony, NEC, Sharp).
  
• A strong knowledge of basic networking and its application to audiovisual systems.
  
• Working knowledge of A/V/Digital Media Equipment and related configuration items such as EDID, DHCP, CEC, HD-BaseT.
  
• Experience working with Crestron Fusion software, Lecture Capture technology (Cattura, Kaltura), and with the university’s LMS systems (i.e. Canvas).
• Demonstrated experience in fostering and advancing a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment or commitment to doing so as a staff member in the School of Business and at VCU.
• Must be able to provide excellent written and verbal communication in a clear, concise, and organized manner to a variety of audiences (management, peers, and users). Must have the ability to provide clear and accurate written documentation.
  
• Experience completing most work with limited supervision, appropriately judging when to seek assistance or guidance from subject experts or management.
  
• Experience working in a team or collaborative environment.
  
• Familiarity with tools, concepts, and resources associated with project management and related activities.
  
• Ability to work in a high stress, fast paced environment and multi-task as needed.
  
• Ability to evaluate procedures and/or performance and develop alternative methods to improve procedures and/or performance to meet school objectives.
  
• Ability to establish cooperative working relationships, coordinate programs and projects with other university units, external visitors, and contractors.
  
• Wide knowledge of the principles and techniques essential to performance of the specific responsibilities assigned.
  
• Ability to organize assigned work, analyze problems and develop appropriate work methods.
  
• Familiarity with instructional or collaborative space design.
  
• Familiarity with A/V technology, setup, and coordination for large and/or remote events.
  
• Available to work flexible and varying hours to accommodate alternating weekend executive programs, evening online MBA program, and early morning and weekend special events.
  
• Able to lift and carry 40 pounds without assistance.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Learning Technology or a related discipline
  
• Experience working in a higher education environment
  
• Crestron Certified Programmer certification
  
• DSP Programming certification
  
• Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) certification(s)

Additional Information

All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays and more.

Explore our robust benefit package here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

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Salary Range: $50,000-$60,000



Position Details

Department: School of Business - Technology Services
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

ORP Eligible : No

VCU Role/Title: IT Analyst Series

Contact Information

Contact Name: Sarah Banwarth

Contact Email: sebanwarth@vcu.edu