(Hybrid) Multimedia Systems Engineering Technical Manager

The Department of Mixed Media Productions at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a hybrid Multimedia Systems Engineering Technical Manager (Professional Technologist 4).

About the Opportunity

This role manages a technical department including two Professional Technologists, supervising one. You will be responsible for operating and maintaining a digital video and photo 1.5 petabyte server, multimedia device communications networks, wireless intercom communications systems, professional digital non-linear computer-based video editing systems, and technical oversight of major public-facing technical projects for the Strategic Communications and Marketing Division and West Virginia University. The Professional Technologist 4 reports to the Director of Mixed Media Productions and is a key member of the Strategic Communications and Marketing unit.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Handle multimedia systems and computer networks including the Strategic Communications and Marketing Division's (SCM's) LTN Leaf fiber-optic transmission device, their high-speed data network and broadcast digital media device network switches, DANTE (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet), NDI (Network Device Interface), and daily maintenance, operations, or repairs to SCM's Multimedia Production backbone - the video & photo server (with a mirrored back-up), which stores over 1.5 petabytes of archival video and photographical content.
• Provide technical assistance to the Director of the Mixed Media Productions by planning, developing, and technically supporting major projects and initiatives, as directed by the Assistant Vice President for Marketing and the Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing at West Virginia University.
• Serve as a technical advisor and provide technical support, as needed, for the daily operations of WVU's internal digital signage network - which manages content and screens across the Morgantown campus as well as WVU-Beckley, and WVU-Tech campuses. Collaborate with digital signage stakeholders on trouble-shooting systems and offering technical advice for new digital signage installations. Assist with troubleshooting digital signage network computer networking issues or content delivery challenges.
• As necessary, prepare technical documentation, including flow charts, logic diagrams, architectural drawings, wiring diagrams and technical specifications according to University, State and local codes and documentation standards.
• Lead and direct technical staff, in areas including analysis of computer networks, multimedia computer device networks, multimedia communications systems, project development and implementation, DAM (digital asset management), as well as the ongoing improvement of these systems and infrastructure. Direct technical staff to respond to complex communications systems problems.
• Analyze and evaluate multimedia telecommunications systems, data networks and media asset management systems to ensure efficient and effective performance, accessibility and compliance with industry standards, including the development and implementation of technology upgrades to multimedia production services.

• Serve as the Technical Manager or Engineer in Charge during live multicamera mixed media productions produced by the Strategic Communications and Marketing Mixed Media Productions team. These events may fall outside regular business hours and/or on weekends - approximately 6 to 8 times per-year, to support major university events such as Welcome Week, WVU President's State of the University Address, December Commencement, Decide WVU Spring Recruiting Event, and May Commencement. This may include the lifting and transport of equipment (up to 40 lbs.) and may include the installation and extraction of temporary data, video, and audio cabling systems.

  Hybrid Policy

• This role is expected to be physically present at the workplace for a minimum of 22.5 hours per week. When possible, this position may work virtually (2) days per week. However, the incumbent must be at the office or on campus, when necessary, to participate with "in-person" meetings, events, or other work-related obligations, which may occur outside regular business hours.

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience involving:
  • Designing, managing, and providing operational control for high level telecommunications, digital media asset management and communications infrastructure and facilities.
  • Management or "technical lead" on a video or computer engineering team, IT department, television studio, multimedia video production department, or digital signage network, that is responsible for high-quality results.
  • Serving as technical advisor on high level committees and special projects to provide technical guidance with concept development, formal proposals, presentations, technical specifications, research, equipment lists, budgets, and bid evaluations.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of the design, installation, and implementation of computer infrastructure in addition to multimedia and video production equipment that is used in high bandwidth data networking environments, digital media storage on large servers, and DAM (digital asset management) software.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of classic "source-to-destination" signal flow routing and troubleshooting.
• Ability to integrate local and wide area networks while maintaining high level network security.
• Able to design, implement, and manage networks that support voice, video, and data communications.
• Working knowledge of switch configurations and best practices used in video over IP to ensure good quality and reliable service.
• Ability to manage and monitor network devices and processes such as switches, web servers, SQL servers, wireless access points, firewalls, proxy server, web filtering, spam filtering, virus protection, email filtering, DNS/DHCP services and port configuring.
• Ability to manage SQL and web servers that host resources and management software, FTP server, and management of secure web access to digital media archives.
• Install, configure and manage remote control and access systems used at remote sites to control equipment.
• In-depth knowledge of network and computer security issues and industry best practices.
• Working knowledge in configuring routers, switches, and managing network traffic. Ability to troubleshoot and optimize network performance in systems requiring Per-Port and Per-VLAN quality of service with high sustained bit rates from the server to the client. Experience with 10GE equipment and infrastructure.
• Proven experience with software and hardware specific to digital media servers, DAM (digital asset management), DANTE (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet), and professional computer based non-linear editing systems (Adobe Premiere, After-Effects).

• In-depth knowledge of general desktop office and professional video, audio and graphics software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Premier, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, Adobe Encoder, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Adobe InDesign, Avid Express, or Avid Media Composer.

  Requirements

• Valid WV Driver's License for occasional use of state-owned vehicle fleet for equipment transport to/from locations.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, se