Audio and Video Equipment Technicians

Career Description: Set up or set up and operate audio and video equipment including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. May also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.

Industry: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Other Job Titles for Audio and Video Equipment Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality, and notify directors of any possible problems.
• Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds, or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
• Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment used to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, cable programs, and motion pictures.
• Design layouts of audio and video equipment, and perform upgrades and maintenance.
• Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve media system problems in classrooms.
• Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
• Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
• Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
• Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
• Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
• Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
• Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
• Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
• Maintain inventories of audio and video tapes and related supplies.
• Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, utilizing research, knowledge, and training.
• Record and edit audio material such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
• Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
• Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
• Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.
• Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
• Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
• Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audiovisual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
• Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
• Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
• Perform narration of productions, or present announcements.

Emerging Tasks

• Analyze and maintain data logs for audiovisual activities.
• Diagnose and resolve media system problems (e.g., in classrooms).
• Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment used to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, and multimedia presentations.
• Reserve audiovisual equipment and facilities (e.g., meeting rooms).

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• achieve special lighting or sound effects
• analyze operation of malfunctioning electrical or electronic equipment
• clean equipment or machinery
• compose scripts
• confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
• convert information into instructional program
• coordinate activities of assistants
• coordinate educational content
• coordinate set construction, erection, or decoration activities
• create art from ideas
• demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
• develop instructional materials
• develop movie sound track
• edit video film scenes
• ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
• explain rules, policies or regulations
• give direction in audio recording studio
• identify problems or improvements
• install electronic equipment, components, or systems
• install or set up equipment
• interpret information to formulate story ideas
• maintain inventory of supplies
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make minor repairs to mechanical equipment
• modify electrical or electronic equipment or products
• operate audio-visual equipment
• operate film or sound editing equipment
• operate recording or broadcast studio controls
• operate sound-reproducing or recording equipment
• operate special visual effects equipment
• operate video recorders
• organize story elements
• plan layout of electrical/electronic equipment installation
• plan or organize work
• recommend purchase, repair, or modification of equipment
• review assembled film or video tape on monitor
• review film, recordings, or rehearsals
• set sound mixing board control levels
• teach others how to use audio-visual materials
• train workers in use of equipment
• understand construction specifications
• use computer graphics design software
• use creativity in graphics
• use graphic arts techniques
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use stage lighting controls or instruments

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.33
• Average annual wage (2007) - $36,050.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 24.24%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 12,090
• Employment (2006): 49,881

• Art Directors
• Broadcast Technicians
• Film and Video Editors
• Floral Designers
• Program Directors
• Set and Exhibit Designers
• Technical Directors/Managers
• Technical Writers
• Training and Development Managers