By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.
Job Description
Education Support Services (ESS) provides world-class audiovisual and instructional support, event and media production, training, and consulting services to faculty, staff, and students in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). The team supports the school’s mission by delivering premium technology offerings that enhance and creatively advance the teaching & learning environment. ESS is comprised of four service groups: Teaching & Learning Support, Integrated Audiovisual Services, Event & Media Production, and Assistive Technology Center.
This position is responsible for producing field and studio events with complex audio needs that result in high-quality media materials and presentations in support of academic, administrative, and community goals for the FAS. This position interacts with faculty, administrators, alumni, students, guest artists, and VIP visitors from the worlds of education, politics, the arts, and entertainment on a weekly basis.
Job Specific Responsibilities:
The Audio Engineer is a subject matter expert providing broadcast-quality audio recording, mixing, live sound, and post-production for ESS-Event & Media Production. This position functions as an A1 (lead audio engineer) on crews, directing the work of A2/A3 audio assistants, and as an individual contributor in-studio and in the field.
This position will move between studio and Arts and Humanities field events such as concerts, musical performances, live audio mixing, and studio recording sessions in the new 50 Church Studio. This position will expand our capacity to support the growing demand for services in the new studio.
The Audio Engineer, Day will:
- Serve as an essential resource for faculty, students, departmental staff, and guest artists during studio and field productions.
- Set up and operate audio and multimedia equipment and software in an advanced multi-network-based media production studio environment and in campus performance venues.
- Mix, process, produce, record, and edit high-quality audio recordings using sophisticated studio and field technology.
- Perform post-production processes (large audio recordings, do mixing, and quality) to produce high-quality deliverables using state-of-the-art digital audio workstation software towards final delivery to the client.
- Create and maintain asset media files conforming to industry and departmental standards on the media server in collaboration with the Chief Engineer.
- Work with the engineering team to configure studio and field equipment.
- Troubleshoot and manage escalations and assist with the repair of systems and equipment.
- Stay current with new technologies and recommend solutions in audio and media, reporting to the manager and team.
- Operate equipment and give input to the Chief Engineer.
Working Conditions: This position will be based in Cambridge, MA (Event and Media Production Studios at 50 Church Street, campus performance venues, and other campus locations. Evening, weekend work, and overtime may be required.
Physical Requirements: Lift 50 lbs.; Pushing 300 lb. hand truck distances up to 0.75 mi
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
3+ years of technical expertise in audio engineering and production, including software and hardware associated with audio technologies
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Demonstrated technical expertise in audio recording and reinforcement, including:
- Experience with microphones and microphone techniques, digital audio workstations (DAWs), audio processing, consoles and control surfaces, and sound reinforcement systems to produce exceptional spoken word and music audio presentations and products.
- Experience mixing multichannel classical, jazz, experimental, and related styles of music broadcasts and live sound.
- Bachelor’s degree or technical school certification or equivalent work experience desirable; courses in instructional media preferred
- Thorough knowledge of the use and design of media equipment, systems, and software, including Avid ProTools, Merging Technologies Pyramix, plug-ins, restoration software, and network-based audio transport such as Dante and AES-67/Ravenna.
- Ability to educate and communicate with a diverse customer base about complex technology applications.
- Previous crew leadership or coordination experience is helpful.
- Familiarity working with immersive audio formats and the ability to read a score is a plus.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week on campus; 9:00am-5:00pm. Evening, weekend work, and overtime may be required.
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Criminal
- Other Information: This is a seasonal 10-month position with a two-month unpaid leave of absence for the months of January and July. Benefits continuation is available during the unpaid months through a third-party, Sentinel Group.
- All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
#LI-CK1
Work Format Details
This position is based on-site at a Harvard campus location. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.