Manager of Technical Support-Film, Video, New Media, & Animation

About SAIC For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman. About the Department The Film, Video, New Media, & Animation (FVNMA) department has long been central to the development of highly influential independent and experimental media practices in the field. The international character of our department and the cultural diversity of our community have produced an array of expanded approaches and driven many of our working procedures toward expansive trans-cultural practices that push boundaries while engaging in formal experimentation, technical innovation, and critical investigation. Our innovative curriculum, award-winning faculty, and world-class facilities make SAIC a leading school for animation, film, new media, and more in Chicago and beyond. Position Summary Supports the operation of FVNMA’s specialized technical facilities and resources on a day-to-day basis. Functions as an expert advisor on technical systems for FVNMA faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and staff. Supervises and provides leadership to student employees. Ensures successful working practices for all computer-based media production equipment, materials, and processes. Anticipates and recommends changes in instructional services to support curricular developments. Responsibilities Staff Administration Hires, trains, supervises, and provide leadership for student employees working in FVNMA in close communication and coordination with FVNMA Associate Director of Technical Facilities. Equipment and Facilities Management Maintains FVNMA technical facilities and resources including hardware, software, equipment, labs, suites, studios, and associated systems and devices to provide a successful working environment for the department. Inventories an ongoing evaluation of digital systems, production, and editing equipment, and recommend repairs, upgrades, and replacements. Implements policies and procedures for FVNMA technical facilities, resources, and equipment access in coordination and close communication with the Associate Director and Chair of FVNMA. Coordinates with vendors to research and test new equipment and technologies for capital budget development and day-to-day procurement. Maintains, repairs, and oversees the daily operation of the FVNMA department’s animation systems and facilities. Integrates digital systems with celluloid, analog, and other legacy formats. Teaching and Instruction Assists faculty and students in day-to-day troubleshooting and technical support. Instruct and assist FVNMA with basic hardware and software troubleshooting, as well as more specialized topics such as Steadicam operation, motion capture, DCP, 8mm and 16mm film projection and telecine transfers. Assists Manager of Instructional Support, FVNMA in providing workshops for converting, exporting, compressing, and authoring digital and analog media for exhibitions and screenings, including end-of-year MFA/BFA shows. Provides group and individual technical workshops for FVNMA faculty and graduate students. Research and Development Provides instruction to FVNMA faculty and students, and the entire SAIC communit…

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