Distance Education Operations Specialist

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Distance Education Operations Specialist at University of Southern California provides training and technical support for distance education control rooms, classrooms, capture, delivery, and post-production operations. You will work with instructors, staff, and students to support audiovisual capture, conferencing, and scheduling, ensuring quality of live and recorded courses.

This onsite role involves hands-on training, software and hardware support, and coordinating media assets, with

Qualifications

• Two years of directly related experience required; three years preferred.
• Knowledge of studio-classroom operations and instructional technologies.
• Experience with web, phone, audio, and video conferencing setup and support.
• Strong customer-service, training, communication, scheduling, documentation, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth operation of live and recorded courses via distance education systems.
• Provide instruction technology and capture support for classrooms and conferences.
• Set up and support web, phone, audio, and video conferencing.
• Provide post-production support and edit video/audio recordings.
• Plan and conduct hands-on training for faculty, staff, and students.

Skills

Customer service

Training

Communication

Scheduling

Documentation

Organization

Teamwork

Instructional technologies

Video conferencing setup

Networking basics

Troubleshooting

Media editing basics

Windows Media / streaming tech

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; technical training

Tools

Webcast encoder applications

Video conferencing software

Streaming services (RealNetworks / similar)

Windows Media technology

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Distance Education Operations Specialist provides distance education training and technical support for control room, classroom, capture, delivery, and post‑production operations. The position supports instructional technologies used for portable and in‑studio delivery of synchronous and asynchronous e‑learning services and helps ensure the smooth operation and quality of live and recorded courses. The specialist works directly with instructors, staff, and students to support audiovisual capture, interactive conferencing, classroom peripherals, recording schedules, media editing, training, documentation, and routine equipment maintenance. The position may train, schedule, assign work to, and provide guidance to staff or student workers as required, but is not a managerial role. The role reports to the Manager, Instructional and Event Operations.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Live and Recorded Instructional Operations

• Ensure smooth operation of live and recorded courses delivered through distance education systems and services.
• Provide instructor, interactivity, and capture support for classroom activities and related technologies, including computers, electronic boards, webcast encoder applications, cameras, and interactive technologies.
• Support portable and in‑studio delivery of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
• Evaluate and help maintain quality standards for e‑learning capture, delivery, and instructional operations.

Instructor, Classroom, and Conferencing Support

• Interface with instructors and staff to provide instructional technology support and audiovisual capture and delivery assistance.
• Set up and support web, phone, audio, and video conferencing and portable capture systems.
• Support instructional activities associated with facilities, classrooms, studios, control rooms, and portable equipment use.
• Respond to problems during scheduled instruction and coordinate timely resolution or escalation when needed.

Post-Production and Media Support

• Provide post‑production support and edit video and audio recordings of courses and professional program offerings.
• Perform file conversions and edits for faculty‑provided instructional materials.
• Prepare, organize, check, and deliver media assets in appropriate formats and in accordance with established schedules and quality standards.
• Maintain accurate records of media, edits, conversions, and delivery activities.

Training and Work Coordination

• Plan and conduct hands‑on training for faculty, staff, students, and other users on supported hardware, software, and related policies and procedures.
• Schedule training sessions and develop or update supporting training materials.
• Interview and recommend new hires and train, schedule, and assign work to staff or student workers as required.
• Provide feedback, guidance, and operational direction to assigned workers and review work for quality and completion.

Documentation, Scheduling, and Equipment Support

• Participate in developing and updating user documentation, operating policies and procedures, and security procedures.
• Establish and maintain software and documentation libraries and equipment inventories.
• Maintain and update lists of software and hardware needs for supported courses.
• Implement updates and changes to class recording schedules and coordinate schedule adjustments as needed.
• Perform routine operations equipment maintenance and troubleshooting and coordinate further support when issues require escalation.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with other units to improve access to and maximize use of computing, audiovisual, and instructional technology resources.
• Stay informed of new technologies and hardware that may improve distance education operations.
• Evaluate operational needs and recommend appropriate equipment, workflow, service, training, and quality improvements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent and specialized or technical training required; additional specialized or technical training preferred.
• Two years of directly related experience required; three years preferred.
• Operations‑level experience capturing and delivering e‑learning services through web and other electronic formats and supporting web, phone, audio, and video conferencing.
• Knowledge of studio‑classroom operations and instructional technologies, including computers, electronic boards, capture systems, webcast encoder applications, cameras, and interactive conferencing technologies.
• Knowledge of computing environments and hardware and software supporting e‑learning systems and services.
• TCP/IP‑based networking, computer support, and troubleshooting experience.
• Knowledge of networks, digitizing processes, video systems, and audio and video editing workflows.
• Strong customer‑service, training, communication, scheduling, documentation, organization, and teamwork skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Work Modality

This position is designated as onsite and is expected to work onsite five days per week. The specific work schedule will be determined and managed based on operational requirements, service needs, and coverage expectations. Evening, weekend, on‑call, oradditionalhours may berequiredto support installations, maintenance, projects, incidents, emergencies, and peak operational periods. Due to the position’s essential onsite functions, it is not eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement.

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $33.95 - $39.96 per hour. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

Disclaimer

This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Management may assign or reassign duties to respond to organizational priorities and evolving needs. USC reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Education

High school or equivalent, Specialized/technical training

Minimum Experience

2 years

Minimum Field of Expertise

Experience with capturing and delivering e‑Learning Systems (via web and other electronic formats) and providing interactive conferencing set‑up and support (web, phone, and audio/visual conferencing). Operations level experience with e‑Learning Systems and services. Knowledge of support of instructional operations and technologies inside studio classrooms, such as computers, electronic boards, and other interactive conferencing technologies. Knowledge of computing environments and specific support for e‑Learning hardware and software. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows Media technology and Real Networks streaming services. TCP/IP based networking and computer support and troubleshooting experience. Knowledge of networks and digitizing process. Knowledge of video and editing systems and processes.

USC equal opportunity employer

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy AppendixD for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213)821‑8100, or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$155515.htmld USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.