About the Obama Foundation
At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.
We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together.
That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home.
But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity.
As President Obama has said, “we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.” So join us.
For more information, please visit www.obama.org.
Location
Chicago, IL
Purpose of the Role
The Senior Associate for Campus AV will work closely with the Manager of Exhibitions AV Systems to oversee the installation and operation of multiple audio and video (“AV”) systems across the Obama Presidential Center (“Center”) campus. The Foundation is looking to build a team of qualified AV technicians to support AV systems at the Center, and the candidate for this position will take an active role in building that team.
The Center includes such AV systems as: museum exhibits with permanently installed AV systems, an auditorium and studio with broadcast style AV equipment intended to support live events, as well as flexible rooms for smaller functions, and web-conferencing meeting rooms. The right candidate for this position has technical experience in related broadcast and classroom style AV systems, excellent organizational and documentation skills, and an eagerness to learn.
Core Job Responsibilities
- Assist with planning and documenting operational capabilities for various AV systems across the campus.
- Advise and coordinate with the AV Integrator as they install various AV systems across campus, to develop systems that appropriately support the goals of the Obama Foundation.
- Assist with operational planning and hiring leading up to the opening of the Center. Lead and educate AV Technicians as necessary, to support the OPC beyond opening.
- Operate and maintain audio visual equipment across campus education, meeting, and live event spaces.
- Maintain AV hardware supporting inclusive accommodations for guests, visitors, and staff with disabilities.
- Collaborate with various teams to integrate creative technical and accessible solutions that also present a unified experience for visitors.
- Perform preventative maintenance on audio visual assets, recommending system solutions as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Key Deliverables / Outcomes
- Ensure that installed AV systems are installed correctly, and commissioned to meet Foundation operational requirements.
- Document AV system technology to communicate operational capabilities to future Center staff, and train future OPC AV Technicians.
- Install and update experiential technology to complement programming and space use in alignment with the Obama Presidential Center brand.
- Work closely with various teams in planning, installing, maintaining, and transitioning equipment.
- Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance teams to adhere to work order processes, working closely with staff trades workers as needed for exhibit transitions.
- Troubleshoot and repair equipment and network components outside of the Museum space.
- Integrate feedback from teams including but not limited to Events, Visitor Experience, and Operations and Maintenance to ensure integrity of equipment as well as a state-of-the-art experience for visitors.
Required Qualifications
- Specialized knowledge of AV Systems
- Specialized knowledge of AV Systems to independently complete advanced tasks and resolve issues involving relatively complex factors.
- Exhibits working proficiency in modeling and addressing duties of professional area; utilizes discretion and independent judgment to solve non-routine problems.
- Candidates typically have, though not required, a post-secondary degree (or equivalent relevant work experience/training) and at least 4 years of relevant professional experience.
- Flexibility of hours including but not limited to early morning, late night, weekends, and holidays across campus in both indoor and outdoor environments. Ability to work out of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park and/or other Obama Foundation locations in Chicago.
This role is permanent, full-time and anticipates minimal travel. While we are open to considering candidates who currently reside in a number of US jurisdictions, this role will require several days per week in the Chicago office and relocation to the area is expected within two months of hire. The salary range for this role is between $79,040 and $98,800.
Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!
In the interest of employee health and safety during the pendency of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Obama Foundation is requiring that all prospective employees present proof that they are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, or seek a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, prior to their first day of employment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.
