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Multimedia Specialist

Department:

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-Mapping Analysis & Design

Effective Date: May, 2008
Grade: USG 9 Reports to: Client Services Manager

General Accountability

The acquisition of a wide range of multimedia and the training of students in multimedia is a significant requirement within Environmental Studies (ES) due to the spatial and/or design focused themes of many of the academic units. The Multimedia Specialist (MMS), under the Client Services Manager, is responsible for the provision of multimedia services, including video, still photography, and sound in ES. This includes not only the creation of this media, but also the support of the digital and analog infrastructures required for this media creation, and the support of faculty members, students and staff in their own generation of this media and incorporation within the classroom environment.

Nature and Scope

The MMS will provide media support services to faculty, staff and students in ES. This includes:

providing photographic and videographic services to faculty, staff and students in ES

coordinate selection and procurement of multimedia goods and services to be used in Environmental Studies

provide support for faculty, staff and students who are working on multimedia projects

interact with relevant on-campus (such as audio-visual) and off-campus; cost out, manage and undertake related contract/grant projects.

The MMS is responsible for the maintenance (and purchasing recommendations) of multimedia, video, sound and still photographic equipment – both digital and analog. The primary focus of the MMS is digital media, but traditional media (i.e., analog media) are also supported, as they are integral to work within the Faculty. The MMS is responsible for the supervision and maintenance of all darkroom areas and the photographic studio and student assistants working in these areas. In addition it is expected that the MMS will, from time to time on behalf of ES, attend trade shows and conferences on developments in environmental media production.

Statistical Data

The MAD unit is comprised of nine full-time support staff, one staff member on permanent secondment from IST (60%), one staff member on permanent secondment from LT3 (60%), part-time student assistants and from time to time, co-op students. Staff members (with the exception of the IST and CTE members) report either to the Technical Services Manager or to the Client Services Manager who in turn report directly to the Director.

 

The activities of the MMS affect a constituency that includes:

Number of computers supported:  300+

Number of undergraduate users: 1700+

Number of graduate users: 200+

Number of faculty, staff and visiting scholars: 150+

Number of multimedia devices (scanners, enlargers, recorders, cameras, etc): >100

Number of digital and analog still and video cameras owned by faculty, staff and students: 1000 (estimation based on observations of ratios of ownership)

Specific Accountabilities

Consultation on, demonstration of and assistance in photographic, video, and sound production, lighting and still photography in the MAD studios and field locations for Environmental Studies faculty, staff, and students. This includes digital video and audio, and both digital and analog photography. In addition to consultation on the creation of this media the MMS will also consult on the editing of this media.

Creation and editing of high quality multimedia materials for outreach, promotion, training, and teaching purposes. These multimedia materials can include: animations (such as those produced with Macromedia/Adobe Flash), digital videos, digital and analog photographs, and digital audio. The final product can be used in printed form, online, or distributable digital media (such as DVDs).

Management, support, and instruction in the use of the chemical (i.e., analog) darkroom. The darkroom is available to all Faculty, Staff, and Students. In addition to general maintenance, the darkroom requires daily monitoring to ensure that its chemistry is consistent. The MMS needs to ensure that adequate supplies of these chemicals are on hand, that they are mixed and stored correctly, and that spent chemicals are disposed of in accordance with University environmental policies.

Production of high quality audio and video recording in lectures and presentations as requested. These materials may be used in pod casts and other online delivery methods.

Coordinate interaction of MAD staff on issues that relate to photography, video and audio – both analog and digital.

Act as MAD liaison to suppliers of video and sound equipment and commercial supplies.

Supervision of safety in use of video, sound and photographic equipment in MAD photographic studios and darkrooms.

Development and maintenance of a multimedia archive for use within ES. This archive of data (photos, videos, audio clips, etc.) is of use for academic, historical, and outreach purposes. This media is for use by any member of the Faculty (assuming that said use is in line with any copyrights or other use-limiting attributes on the media in question.)

Assist students and researchers in addressing technical and artistic photographic needs, including conventional and digital photographic production, analog to digital conversion, use of colour and monochrome in photographic production, and other needs as required.

Monitor the servicing of all MAD equipment and coordinate technical space and equipment allocation where they relate to photography, video, and audio production.

Staff the Helpdesk to answer multimedia questions, and to offer general IT support during their assign shift.

Serve as the Faculty representative to MacTUG (Macintosh Technical Users Group) on Campus

Working Conditions

The working conditions for the MMS are varied and frequently difficult. When editing digital media (and when creating media that is exclusively computer-based) the MMS experiences working conditions similar to many individuals working with desktop computers. However, there are many times when the MMS is working in much more difficult situations. In the Photographic Studio the MMS frequently has to move equipment and physical models that can be heavy and or awkwardly positioned. When on photo/video shoots, the MMS frequently has to stand for long periods of time and carry equipment (such as lighting and tripods) that can be heavy and cumbersome. In both cases the MMS may need to position themselves in awkward positions to shoot the images.

 

In the darkroom the MMS is exposed to chemicals that require proper care. The darkroom is obviously a room with limited lighting so care must also be taken in this manner.

 

Normally the MMS carries out all responsibilities during UW business hours, but may be called upon to work outside of UW business hours if required.