Department

HUM Staff: Music CHIME Admin

About The Department

The Chicago Integrated Media Experimental Studio (CHIME) is a vibrant hub for the fusion of computer music, composition, and multimedia practices at the University of Chicago. CHIME is comprised of three studios: Studio A (Production and Spatial Audio Lab), Studio B (Production and Synthesis Lab), and Studio C (Equipment Checkout Room). In addition to studio spaces, CHIME regularly produces concerts, such as its yearly electroacoustic music festival, CHIMEFest, and engages in collaborative projects with artists from across disciplines, both on campus and across the city of Chicago.

Job Summary

The Technical Studio Assistant is an essential role designed to ensure the accessibility and smooth operation of the music technology studio for undergraduate and graduate students. This position involves providing technical expertise, equipment management, and support for both academic and performance-related activities. The role bridges technical proficiency and educational support, fostering an inclusive, well-resourced environment for learning and creativity.

Part-time, benefits-eligible | 20 hours/week. Example schedule: Monday: 11:00am - 4:00pm (5 hours) | Tuesday: assisting courses for moving equipment, audio needs of the events/seminar / etc. (2 hours) | Wednesday: assisting courses for moving equipment, meeting to discuss the needs for the week, lab monitoring, and equipment checkout time (3 hours) | Thursday: 11:00am - 4:00pm (5 hours) | Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm (5 hours).

Applicants, when uploading your resume, please include all required application documents listed in the job posting to be considered (resume, cover letter, and references).

Responsibilities

Monitors and maintains studio equipment, including microphones, recorders, and haptic transducers.
Facilitates equipment check-in/check-out processes.
Expands studio capabilities by installing and configuring new equipment and software, including assisting to expand the multichannel audio capabilities of CHIME Studio.
Conducts equipment repairs and tracks inventory.
Provides assistance to students with software, electronic equipment, and studio-related assignments.
Assists instructors with equipment setup and breakdown for performance-based courses.
Develops accessible studio instructions, such as How to produce sound in the studio using the Digital Audio Workstation in 3 steps.
Offers specialized guidance in improving technical skills, such as soldering and signal flow.
Prepares and installs audio needs for concerts, talks, festivals, and other events.
Provides on-site technical support during events for seamless execution.
Records, archives, and mixes events.
Recruits, schedules, and trains work-study students on specific studio equipment.
Delegates tasks and oversees their performance to ensure studio standards.
Applies skills to support the planning, development and execution of audio-visual productions with close supervision.
Installs, operates and troubleshoots audio-visual systems, such as video conferencing, digital media, and desktop and network-based technologies.
Provides projection services and presentation support for academic and public events within standard operating procedures. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively which includes professional interaction with Faculty and visiting film makers.
Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

Proficiency with music technology tools, including analog and digital audio systems; recording software such as ProTools, Ableton, Reaper; hardware, for instance microphones, audio mixers, preamps, patchbays, etc.; multichannel and spatialized sound setup, and reparing/reconfiguring electronic components, in particular contact microphones, cables, patchbays, etc.
Proficient in concert/event audio setup and live sound engineering.
Knowledge in audio networking, such as Dante, etc. systems, and Dolby Atmos setup is a plus.

Preferred Competencies

Strong problem-solving skills and troubleshoot technical issues.
Excellent organizational skills for managing equipment inventory, recruiting and scheduling work-study students, and event preparation.
Communicate complex technical information in an accessible way.

Working Conditions

This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.

Application Documents

Resume/CV, that specifies technical skills (required)
Cover Letter, including your interest in this position (required)
Three References Contact Information (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$20.00 - $25.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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