Job opening: AV Technician

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Update May 9, 2024: The position has been filled.

St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, a beacon of liberal religious thought in Cincinnati since 1814, is looking for an Audio-Visual Technician to operate in-house AV equipment and stream our weekly services. This person must work at the church on Sunday mornings, from 10 a.m. till about 12:30 p.m., with volunteers who will host the services on YouTube; also, they will provide support to other meetings as scheduled in advance.

The position will require about 4–10 hours most weeks, paid hourly at a rate of $17 – $20 per hour. Details and required skills are below. To apply, please submit a résumé to jobs@stjohnsuu.org.

Position Title:      Audio Visual Technician

Description:      On-site production of sound, projection, video and live stream during worship service and other events.

Reports to: Minister

Exempt Status: Contract, Non-Exempt

The Audio-Visual Technician runs the sanctuary AV system, including microphones, cameras, streaming equipment, laser projector, and screen, speakers, assistive listening devices, and audio board. AV Tech live streams worship on Sunday mornings, runs presentation software, and designs digital graphics or slides as needed. Must work at the church on Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m. plus be available to run AV for board meetings and congregation meetings with notice.

The Audio-Visual Technician is also responsible for setting up, operating, testing, and troubleshooting audio and video equipment as needed, such as for meetings, and communicating about them as needed. This includes being familiar with other church AV equipment. The AV Tech will work with volunteers in the AV booth who are responsible for hosting the service on Youtube and will work with the Communication and AV Team for support.

Qualifications and Skills Required: 

  • Has experience mixing audio successfully in the live environment; familiarity with sound mixers.
  • Familiarity with live sound reinforcement, including speaker placement, microphone placement, equalization, and feedback suppression.
  • Usage of wireless microphones, frequency channels and overlaps, knowledge of microphone types, pickup patterns, and placement.
  • Will be expected to set and use presets of camera angles and zooms during service.
  • Knowledge of live streaming to Zoom and Youtube as well as being able to smoothly bring video and audio into the sanctuary as needed.
  • Ability to lightly edit videos, apply sound normalization, and publish videos on YouTube.
  • Able to work in team settings and take directions. 
  • Have good communication skills and the ability to convey complicated technical issues clearly.
  • Ability to think quickly and react/troubleshoot quickly and calmly. 
  • Ability to work well with others 
  • Ability to train volunteers to run the equipment.
  • Familiarity with Internet technology and WordPress a plus.

Job Description and Responsibilities: 

Pre-Service 

  • Setup equipment such as cameras, microphones, projector, video monitors (at AV desk, chapel and in Haehnle and Krolfifer Halls), recording audio on computer, sound and mixing boards for worship.
  • Create slides with info. for service (e.g. words for hymns) and announcement slides to run before and after service. 
  • Perform sound system checks including monitor mixes, proper sanctuary volume output, and eq/mixing process.
  • Test, diagnose, and correct system problems that may occur. 
  • Check with the minister and/or other service coordinators for any special needs for worship that morning.

During Service 

  • Adjust sound levels during service as needed. 
  • Follow minister’s and music director’s directions during services.  
  • Record audio, live stream the service. 
  • Decide and use/switch to best preset camera angles during service.
  • Create and share links to live-streamed services. 

Post-Service 

  • Clear bema of equipment as needed, store and secure multimedia equipment.
  • Debrief with minister, musician and/or director of music to find out if issues existed for them during worship. 
  • Note any broken/faulty equipment and take it out of service if possible, communicating with tech team. 
  • Create thumbnail for video on YouTube.

As Needed or Required 

  • Clean audio and video equipment and store properly.
  • Work with tech and communications team volunteers to assess any challenges. 
  • Alert minister to any scheduling problems at least two weeks prior to needed absence.
  • Volunteers will have training; the tech may need to orient volunteers to work the AV system to cover for the AV technician’s absence.
  • Related AV duties as assigned.
  • Occasionally assist congregants in understanding or preparing AV equipment for presentations in our fellowship hall.