Audio and Video Equipment Technician

Other Titles

Audio Technician, Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist), Audio Visual Technician (AV Technician), Master Control Operator (MCO), Media Specialist, Media Technician, Multimedia Educational Specialist, Operations Technician, Stagehand, Video Technician

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.

Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.

Diagnose and resolve media system problems.

Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.

Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.

Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.

Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.

Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.

Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.

Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.

Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.

Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.

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.

Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.

Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.

Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.

Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.

Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.

Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.

Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.

Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.

Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.

Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.

Perform narration of productions or present announcements.

Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Service Orientation→ Actively looking for ways to help people.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Operation and Control→ Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Systems Analysis→ Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

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.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

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.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

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.

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.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

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.

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.

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.

Notify others of equipment problems.

Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.

Maintain records, documents, or other files.

Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.

Coordinate activities of production personnel.

Operate communications, transmissions, or broadcasting equipment.

Monitor broadcasting operations to ensure proper functioning.

Operate control consoles for sound, lighting or video.

Mix sound inputs.

Edit audio or video recordings.

Operate audio recording equipment.

Coordinate logistics for productions or events.

Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.

Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.

Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.

Draw detailed or technical illustrations.

Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.

Train others on work processes.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Study details of musical compositions.

Inform viewers, listeners, or audiences.

Write material for artistic or entertainment purposes.

Compile technical information or documentation.

Maintain logs of production activities.

Write informational material.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Hearing Sensitivity — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Auditory Attention — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Fine Arts — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Computer aided design CAD software

Database user interface and query software -- e.g., Blackboard; Microsoft Access

Desktop publishing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign

Electronic mail software -- e.g., Microsoft Outlook; Google Gmail

Graphics or photo imaging software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Flash; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop

Internet browser software -- Web browser software

Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software -- Voice over internet protocol VoiP system software

Office suite software -- e.g., Microsoft Office

Operating system software -- e.g., Cisco IOS; Linux; Microsoft Windows

Presentation software -- e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Microsoft Excel

Video conferencing software -- e.g., Cisco Systems WebEx

Video creation and editing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects; Apple Final Cut Pro; Apple iMovie; Corel Ulead DVD Workshop

Web page creation and editing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver; Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player

Word processing software -- e.g., Google Docs; WordPerfect; Microsoft Word

Assistive listening devices→ Assistive amplification systems

Audio mixing consoles→ Microphone mixers; Sound boards

Audioconferencing systems

Cassette players or recorders→ Cassette players; Videotape duplicating equipment

Claw hammer→ Claw hammers

Compact disk players or recorders→ Compact disk CD burners or players

Desktop computers

Digital camcorders or video cameras→ Digital camcorders; Digital video cameras

Digital video disk players or recorders→ Digital video disk DVD players

Digital voice recorders→ Digital audio recorders

Film projectors→ Motion picture projectors

Ladders→ Step ladders

Lasers→ Laser pointers

Liquid crystal display projection panels→ Liquid crystal display LCD projection systems

Loudspeakers→ Integrated speaker systems; Loudspeaker sets; Portable speaker systems

Manlift or personnel lift→ Man lifts

Media control systems→ Audiovisual A/V mixers; Master control switchers

Microphones→ Wired microphones; Wireless microphones

Notebook computers→ Laptop computers

Oscilloscopes→ Digital oscilloscopes

Overhead projectors→ Overhead display projectors

Personal computers

Plasma screens→ Plasma televisions

Power drills

Projection screens or displays→ Projection screens

Public address systems→ Audio presentation systems

Screwdrivers

Slide projectors

Soldering iron→ Soldering irons

Sound measuring apparatus or decibel meter→ Noise meters

Stage or projection or studio lighting system→ Light boards

Televisions→ Television monitors

Touch screen monitors→ Interactive whiteboards

Videoconferencing systems→ Videoconferencing equipment

Voltage or current meters→ Digital voltmeters DVM

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.

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.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.