Technician - Audio Production & Media Resources

Join The New School 

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

Parsons School for Design, a division of The New School, seeks a Full-time Technician in Audio Production and Media Resources for the Making Center. Parsons Making Center is a collection of more than 70,000 sq.ft. of labs, shops, studios, and open workspaces that provide curricular support for making across a broad range of mediums and disciplines and supports experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Technician should be a personable, proactive, detail-oriented individual who will become integral to the daily workings of the facilities within the Making Center, with the ability to learn new skills and technologies as needed. This is a fast-paced, dynamic environment that runs year-round. The Technician will interface with students and faculty daily and work with Making Center staff to support multiple processes and resources for all users in a range of making spaces including sound production studios and equipment resources, traditional black and white darkroom, film processing room, experimental darkroom, Digital-C printing lab, film scanning and inkjet printing labs, photography and motion capture studios, and the Equipment Resource Center. 

This is an administrative position, governed by a Local 1205 Teamsters Professional union contract, that reports to the Assistant Director, Sound and Filmmaking Operations. 

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned and maintain a clean and safe working environment. 

• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.

• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff. 

• Work with other Making Center staff on the troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, and continuous operation of a variety of hardware/software technologies and stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.

• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:

  • Support faculty and students.

  • Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.

  • Make hardware/software purchases and process recommendations.

  • Create and update web page content.

  • Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.

  • Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff through peer-to-peer trainings and skills sharing.

  • Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.

  • Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas.

  • Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.

  • Become proficient in Web Check Out or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.

  • Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.

• Assist with facility improvement projects, shows and installations, and special Making Center, program, school or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.

• Adapt to changes in the work environment; meet deadlines and anticipate facility and checkout center needs, adjusting approach and prioritizing competing demands. 

• Ability to be proactive in addressing facility needs, including but not limited to maintaining organized workspaces, tracking inventory locations, and monitoring Technician communication networks. 

• Properly handle, mix, and dispose of photo-chemistry and safely use ladders and other hardware to support facility needs.

• Acquire working knowledge of Digital C printing and a variety of Motion Capture and Augmented/Virtual Reality practices (including but not limited to: full body tracking, facial tracking, projection mapping, mixed reality, Motive (or other equivalent Motion Capture software), relevant CG and SFX software and SDKs) within the first 6 months of employment. 

• Maintain audio equipment and materials.

• Maintain audio interface and software in labs.

• Perform audio inventory, prepare checkouts, and perform logistics and deliver to classrooms as needed.

• Completion of university-required staff trainings and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.

• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years of relevant or professional experience within the industry.

• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that include nights and weekends, in addition to scheduling shifts with semester changes.

• Knowledge of a variety of analog and digital photographic and audio processes, be familiar with practices related to current design and art practice - including: analog/experimental/digital photography, digital input/output, studio and on-location lighting and audio recording equipment. 

• Experience and knowledge of working with traditional darkroom chemistry.

• Technical knowledge of analog and digital technologies, including but not limited to still cameras, video equipment, audio equipment, studio strobe lighting and grip equipment, continuous lighting, virtual reality, projectors, steadicams, film scanners, large format printers, media players, Mac mini(s), tablets and other smart devices.

• Full comprehensive experience in maintaining and troubleshooting equipment/tools.

• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment, with a working knowledge of large-scale hardware and software deployment, network systems, color calibration/profiling.

• Direct experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Capture One, Flexcolor Scan Software, various printer server software, Opti-Track Motive, Google Docs, Audio production processes and equipment & software including Pro Tools. 

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities.

• Strong ability to assist students working in an interdisciplinary and/or experimental manner from concept to fabrication.

• Ability to handle objects weighing up to 25 lbs and on occasion may be expected to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs. 

• Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems. 

• Knowledge of Motion Capture and Augmented/Virtual Reality practices.

• Knowledge of Digital C Printing.

• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement. #LI-ONSITE

SALARY

$28.52 per hour/$51,906.40 per annum 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS * 

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter in your application.

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

BENEFITS AT THE NEW SCHOOL

The New School is committed to supporting the well-being and success of our faculty and staff. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their eligible dependents. Highlights include:

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Wellness 

• Retirement plan administered by TIAA

• Qualified Transportation Expense Plan

Work-Life Balance

• Paid vacation and sick leave, with accruals starting on your first day

• Paid holidays and floating holidays

• Workmode & Telework Policy (if applicable)

Professional Growth

• Career advancement and professional development opportunities

• Access to university programs, lectures, and events featuring world-renowned speakers and organizations

• Tuition waiver benefit for eligible employees and dependents

Additional Perks

• Employee discounts with local vendors and service providers

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.