(Hybrid) Technical Specialist - Mixed Media Department

The Mixed Media Department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Technical Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The Technical Specialist (Prof-Tech 2) will offer skilled technical support in 3 primary areas.

1. Provide skilled technical services for the daily oversight and operation of the WVU cloud-based digital signage network, including the content management system, Yodeck. Independently perform digital signage equipment swaps.
2. Provide skilled technical services for the daily maintenance and operation of a television studio, which includes the database administration of a 1.7 petabyte video + photo server.
3. Provide skilled technical services for multicamera live event productions for signature events at West Virginia University.

The Technical Specialist is a key member of the Strategic Communication and Marketing team, which is the University's central marketing and communications division, and reports to the Director of Mixed Media Productions.

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 (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

• Digital Signage Network (40%)
  • Responsible for performing technology upgrades (equipment swaps) across WVU's main campus.
  • Administer and maintain WVU's digital signage network and content management system (Yodeck) - including content updates, content layouts, building user profiles, and client communications
  • Develop code using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python to interface with the Yodeck API (application programming interface) and other University systems that may serve data as JSON, RSS, or XML.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation, workflows, and operational procedures for digital signage systems.
  • Coordinate technology upgrades with external vendors and WVU colleges, schools, departments, or units.
  • Analyze and troubleshoot system performance, network connectivity, and hardware/software integration issues.
  • Plan and coordinate with central IT to ensure correct network configurations are applied to equipment.
  • Lift, transport, and install digital signage media players or screens (up to 50 lbs.), when necessary.
  • Develop a fluent knowledge of current WVU Brand standards - https://scm.wvu.edu/brand/.
• Television Studio and Video/Photo Server Administration (40%)
  • Administer and maintain specialized broadcast, multimedia production, and streaming infrastructure supporting University communications and live event operations.
  • Configure, integrate, and support advanced multimedia technologies - including DANTE (digital audio network through ethernet), NDI (network device interface), LTN LEAF (transmit or receiving broadcast-quality video over internet protocol / 1GB ethernet transport stream), Vizrt TriCaster Vizion (complete computer-based video production platform), NewBlueFX Captivate Broadcast (visual graphics production software), digital audio mixing consoles, PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) UHD 4K camera set-up & operation, and lighting console operation.
  • Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Monitors data networks infrastructure, database servers, digital media servers, SQL server and database, and FTP server.
  • Manage and support Windows-based servers, storage systems, virtualization environments, and multimedia production workstations.
  • Familiar with the integration and use of Apple computers and peripherals.
  • Download, install, and trouble-shoot licensed computer software that is related to the video and multimedia production industry, such as the Adobe Creative Cloud software suite. Provide advanced desktop computer support and troubleshooting within the Mixed Media team environment - including software installations and upgrades
  • Assist with the administration of the 1.7 petabyte video, photo and file server. Assess data networks, database servers, and be responsible for ensuring smooth operations related to system performance.
  • Resolve video server issues to limit downtime and data loss.
  • Develop code using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python as needed to support multimedia systems integration.[JM1.1][JW1.2]
  • Evaluate emerging multimedia and broadcast technologies and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency and production capabilities.
  • Develop and maintain technical standards, system documentation, and operational procedures for multimedia infrastructure environments.
• Mixed Media Productions (20%)

  • Serve as a technical specialist during live multicamera mixed media productions created by the Strategic Communications and Marketing Mixed Media Productions team (technician, PTZ camera operator, sound technician, teleprompter technician). These events may fall outside regular business hours and/or on weekends - approximately 6 to 8 times per year, to produce major University events such as Welcome Week, President's Fall 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 the temporary installation and extraction of portable data, video, and audio cables.

  • Develop methodology, resolves conflicts, and coordinates with professional technologists, production staff, and end users as needed to successfully complete assignments.

  • Participate with management personnel in planning, directing and coordinating projects. Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues during live production environments to ensure continuity of operations.

  • Collaborate with production staff, event stakeholders, and technical vendors to ensure successful execution of live events.

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, management information systems, or related fields.
• A minimum of two (2) years of applicable work experience with computer operating systems, web application development and/or familiarity with digital signage content management systems.
• 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

• Strong knowledge of database management, documentation, and project control techniques.
• Experience administering Windows servers and Microsoft SQL databases.
• Programming experience in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python.
• Digital file formats: WMV, MP4, H.265, H.264, MOV, AVI, WAV, WMA, MP3, JPEG, JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP, GIF.
• Understanding LAN/WAN/vLAN, TCP/IP, UDP.
• Working knowledge of Windows Hyper-V Replication with Hyper-V Server failover enabled to provide high availability and disaster recovery.
• Demonstrated ability to reason logically and analyze and solve problems. Ability to define procedural problems, collect and evaluate data, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to use the Abode Creative Cloud family of products that are associated with video production such as Photoshop, Premiere, After-Effects, InDesign, and Media Encoder.
• Working knowledge of the differences in audio signal distribution related to mic-levels (-60db) and line-levels (+4/0db / -20db digital) signals and digital signal metering.
• Working knowledge of digital signage workflows. Preferred experience with the Yodeck cloud-based digital signage content management platform. Preferred experience with using touch technology in displays.
• Working knowledge in configuring routers and switches and managing network traffic.
• Demonstrated ability to build computers to the specifications necessary for the system -including installing high quality graphics cards, increasing RAM, and replacing hard drives as equipment fails or is aged.
• Candidate must have an excellent knowledge of the architecture of a computer, especially in video and graphics cards.
• Knowledge of various types of feeds and how they integrate with digital signage including RSS, XML, and JSON.
• Candidates must maintain a flexible work schedule as some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Candidates must be able to travel outside of Morgantown to service equipment or support the University.
• Candidate must be able to lift 50 lbs. (equipment transport, screen installations).

Valid Driver's License

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, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.