Assistant Videographer (Temp)

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Part time

Job summary

Harvard University’s VPAL seeks a Temporary Assistant Videographer to support camera, lighting, and audio across studio and on-location shoots in Cambridge, MA.

The role starts mid November with about 14 hours/week for ~6 weeks, then ~35 hours/week through April, transitioning from LHT to full-time depending on the leave schedule. Ideal for a technically curious recent graduate pursuing a career in digital video production.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with digital cinema cameras, lighting, and audio gear.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Ability to interface professionally with faculty and stakeholders during shoots.
• Proficient with NLE software and Adobe CC; cloud collaboration tools.

Responsibilities

• Camera & On-Set Assist: assist videographer and operate secondary camera on studio/location shoots; rigging, lens swaps, power management, set resets.
• Faculty & Talent Support: interact with Harvard faculty and guests to ensure a professional studio environment.
• Lighting Systems Support: assist with studio lighting setups and board operation across configurations.
• Audio Engineering Assist: support field/studio audio workflows and mic placement.
• Studio Maintenance & Prep: keep production space organized and prep equipment for shoots.
• Media Management & Inventory Support: assist tagging/metadata and update equipment tracking spreadsheets.

Skills

Camera operation

On-set assistant

Lighting

Audio engineering

Studio maintenance

Media tagging/metadata

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s degree in Film/Media Production or related field

Tools

Adobe Premiere Pro

Final Cut Pro

DaVinci Resolve

Adobe Creative Cloud

Google Drive

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Temporary Assistant Videographer

Department: Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL)

Job Type: Temporary (LoA coverage)

Rate: $40/hour

Location: Cambridge, MA (On-Site/Hybrid: 3–4 days on-site, adjusted per shoot schedule; occasional local travel required for on-location shoots)

Reports to: Alex Auriema, Videographer

Term:

Start Date - Mid November (estimate): 14 hours per week (LHT) ~6 weeks

Mid-November - February (estimate): 35 hours a week (Temp) ~12 weeks

Dates are dependent on LoA start and end date dates.

Who we are:

The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) seeks to shape the future of education by discovering new ways to build the competence, curiosity, and confidence of learners around the world. We create engaging and scalable learning experiences, cultivate inspiring ideas, and connect a global community of learners—while developing tools, technologies, platforms, and policies to reduce friction throughout the learning lifecycle.

We are seeking a Temporary Assistant Videographer to join our Production team ahead of and during an upcoming leave-of-absence. Please note, this is a non-benefits eligible position.

How You’ll Contribute:

The Temporary Assistant Videographer provides essential camera, lighting, audio, and studio production support across the VPAL media pipeline. Reporting to the lead Videographer, this role serves as an on-set assistant videographer while providing vital media cataloging and equipment inventory tracking to keep studio operations running smoothly. This role will also receive direction from the Senior Manager, Multi-Media as needed.

This is a non-benefits eligible role that will start as a less-than-half-time (LHT) temp and transition to full-time (35 hours a week) estimated in mid November/early December through April (the exact duration will depend on the leave. This position offers direct exposure to high-level academic content and close collaboration with Harvard faculty. It is ideal for a technically curious recent graduate looking to build a career in digital video production within a high-density studio environment.

At VPAL, your role will be:

• Camera & On-Set Assist: Serve as an assistant videographer and secondary camera operator on studio and location shoots using digital cinema (Canon EOS ecosystem) and DSLR/mirrorless camera packages. Handle camera rigging, lens swaps, power management, and set reset.
• Faculty & Talent Support: Interface directly with Harvard faculty and guest scholars during studio and field shoots, ensuring a professional, welcoming studio environment and providing direct production support.
• Lighting Systems Support: Assist with studio lighting setups, including rigging multi-fixture setups, adjusting modifiers, and operating lighting control boards across varied studio configurations.
• Audio Engineering Assist: Support field and studio audio workflows, including multi-source routing through hardware audio mixers, talent mic placement (lavaliers and booms), and signal path monitoring.
• Studio Maintenance & Prep: Maintain an organized production floor, manage cable paths, reset studio spaces between shoots, and ensure video equipment is prepped, transported, and broken down efficiently for shoots. Occasionally clean, and tidy studio between shoots.

2. Media Management & Inventory Support (approx. 20%)

• Media Ingest & Portal Tagging: Sort, catalog, apply standardized metadata, and perform precise keywording on raw footage and finished assets across the shared video portal following VPAL media workflows.
• Equipment Inventory Tracking: Assist in managing VPAL video equipment and production packages—including cameras, lenses, lighting, cables, and edit systems—by updating existing tracking spreadsheets under guidance from the Lead Videographer and Studio Manager.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to routinely transport, maneuver, and setup studio production equipment, camera cases, and light stands weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, bend, and move actively around studio floors and production sets for extended periods during shooting days.

Qualifications

• Technical Production Background: Demonstrable hands-on experience operating digital cinema camera systems, mirrorless video setups, studio lighting, and audio gear.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree in Film/Media Production, Communications, Digital Media, or a related technical field strongly preferred, or equivalent years of experience.
• Client Interaction: Proven ability to interface professionally with clients such as faculty, subject matter experts, and executives stakeholders, providing direct support during shoots.
• Intellectual Curiosity: Eagerness to engage with complex, varied academic content and multi-disciplinary educational material.
• Software Proficiency: Solid working knowledge of non-linear editing (NLE) software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve), the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, and cloud collaboration tools (Google Drive ecosystem, Microsoft Excel).
• Work Location & Travel: Ability to work on-site in Cambridge, MA 3–4 days per week (or as required by the shoot schedule), with flexibility for occasional remote administrative tasks. Must be able to travel locally on occasion.
• Technical Curiosity & Adaptability: Eagerness to learn specialized video technology workflows and media organization systems under staff guidance.pro
• AI & Emerging Tech Familiarity: Exposure to or active interest in generative AI tools, AI-assisted video editing features, and automated tagging workflows within media production is a strong plus.
• Studio Operations Background: Prior experience working in a dedicated production studio, educational media lab, or high-volume creative environment preferred.
• Detail Oriented: High attention to detail and rigor when managing physical inventory, updating tracking spreadsheets, and applying precise keywording/metadata to shared video portals.
• Communication & Team Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to receive direction effectively from multiple leads (Media Manager and Chief Videographers) and work collaboratively within a fast-moving, higher-ed production environment.

Application Materials

• Required: Resume and Cover Letter outlining production experience, camera operation background, and interest in media workflows.
• Optional: A link to a video portfolio, reel, or recent production projects demonstrating camera operation or editing capabilities.