Job Abstract

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles.  We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

World-renowned for its unparalleled combination of academic and athletic prowess, USC has a storied history of collegiate and Olympic success. The vision of the USC Department of Athletics is to be the most student-athlete centered athletics program in the country. USC Athletics is committed to serving and empowering its student-athletes by providing the support, resources, and environment for student-athletes to pursue a world-class education; engage in a meaningful and fulfilling college experience; transform into the best versions of themselves; compete for championships; and prepare to thrive after USC. A member of the Pac-12 Conference and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, USC is proud to support nine men's (baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo) and 12 women's (basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo) teams across 12 athletics venues.

Job Description:

USC Athletics is looking to hire Director of Engineering to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals.  This role is responsible for, under direction, performing installation, modification, operation, and repair of electronic communications equipment to live event television production and in-stadium video operations. This individual is responsible for the maintenance and operations of these production control room technology and infrastructure and will provide technical oversight of event coverage. The Director of Engineering works with full-time staff and student workers to facilitate live television for both broadcast and in-stadium presentations, as well as be the first line of support for any technical issues during events while working effectively to ensure a smooth production.

The ideal candidate will have strong oral and written communication skills; understanding of IP-based transport of audio/video signals for broadcast television support and communications; knowledge of overall technical support to live events broadcast staff regarding operational aspects of routing systems for communications, broadcast camera setups, data-linking television graphics support, and general control room technical operational support; ability to work in integrated television control room environment managing control room setup and operational status for live television events; ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others in fast-paced situations; demonstrated ability to document work with technical drawings, spreadsheets, and schematics; demonstrated knowledge of video fiber infrastructure and connectivity between venues; knowledge of fiber optic and radio frequency video signal transmission systems; knowledge of video and audio signals for quality control for in-venue operations; ability to be resourceful, research equipment documentation and solutions to problems, and be proactive in systems issues prevention and resolution; proficiency in IT & IP based workflows, common A/V setup & servicing and Daktronics infrastructure; experience with video switchers, audio consoles, replay and graphics machines installation and operation. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a diverse student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. USC Athletics is committed to increasing diversity in its staff and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

This is an exempt position. Due to the large emphasis on event-support, this position includes many nights and weekends above and beyond daily responsibilities.  This individual must have the ability to work a flexible schedule, be on-call, support productions remotely as needed, and work sporting events and events that may occur on holidays and weekends.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

Administration (50%)

• Serve as Head Engineer-In-Charge (HEIC) and assist in the live event support, which includes support abilities for installation, modification, operation, and repair of electronic communications equipment.

• Support broadcast facility operations concerning postproduction, television control room, studio, and live event venue operations as directed by Assistant Athletic Director of Broadcast Operations.

• Train and supervise student workers and provide input in their evaluation.

• Provide operational support of in-stadium/venue digital signage and associated electronic components and provides support for live event technical setup and management per operations systems.

• Direct student employees in set up of broadcast TV camera packages for live events. Give basic troubleshooting and operational instruction and supervision to student employees for event support regarding video operations. Ensure safe practices and best methods when dealing with student employees following University policy for safety. 

• Troubleshoot at the component and system level and provides operational assistance in broadcast, IT, and communications systems.

• Install, modify, operate, troubleshoot, and repair electronic communications equipment regarding facility operations per postproduction, television control room, studio, and live event venue operations. Perform preventative maintenance and duties associated with equipment inventory and care. 

• Support digital signage and associated electronic components.

• Serve as technical liaison between internal television operations and external television network broadcasts. 

• Perform preventative maintenance and inventory of broadcast equipment. 

• Assume managerial oversight and responsibility for the Engineering and Audio units. The candidate will be expected to understand the architectural framework of the broadcast systems for each venue and will serve as a first line of defense in support of issues that are encountered.

• Collaborate with a diverse team of campus staff, consultants, and external partners on the design, integration, and execution of the control room(s). Assist in the installation, repair, and maintain all video and audio equipment.

• Manage relationships with third-party service providers by enforcing the agreed upon scope of services within the various signed service agreements (part-time staff, maintenance providers, external partners, etc.).

• Oversee scheduling and staffing for broadcasting and videoboard production at events.

• Troubleshoot issues with appropriate parties using established campus protocols.

• Serve as the point person for technical operations on capital projects within athletic facilities regarding videoboards, control rooms and other related items.

Production (35%)

• Knowledge of live event broadcast production over various platforms, including linear, digital and in venue displays.

• Knowledge of digital video and web streaming including online platforms. Integrate webcast, streaming, and IP technologies in the delivery of web-based media.

• Work together with Big Ten Network Staff in terms of technical requirements to meet desired outcomes.

• Provide support for live event technical setup and management of operational systems. 

• Work sports event coverage and television production requiring occasional nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Provide technical oversight of event coverage for production of linear television network broadcasts, live venue big screens, digital signage, and general television production coverage of athletic events.

Development (15%)

• Build a collaborative production community and collaborate with peers in the industry to stay abreast on all new technology supporting live event production.
• Due to the rapidly changing nature of technology, the Broadcast & A/V Engineer should be continually educating themselves on the new and emerging opportunities in the field.

Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the engineering or broadcasting fields, and two years of experience (four years preferred) in television broadcast engineering (e.g. working in a control room, remote, or mobile unit) and equipment maintenance. Two years of supervisory experience preferred. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Experience in broadcast television environment as an intern, student worker or staff member regarding technical operational support of live television events for broadcast or in-stadium productions. 

• Experience working in a broadcast crew scenario collaborating with director and producer.

• SMPTE or SBE certifications, vendor certifications, Cisco certifications.

• Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal. Working knowledge of university, conference, and NCAA rules ideal.

Salary Range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $88,000-111,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To Apply:

All candidates must submit a resume with their application. Additional materials may be requested at a later date. All USC employees will undergo reference checking and background screening prior to hire.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.