Technical Assistant – The Studio

City of Lancaster (CA); Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lancaster invites applications for a Technical Assistant to provide audio and AV support for Studio at Cedar, handling setup, operation, and basic maintenance for recordings, live events, and programs.

You will assist with microphones, mixers, Pro Tools, projectors, and presentation equipment; coordinate with staff and artists; ensure safety and inventory management while delivering reliable technical service across museum spaces.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of audio and audiovisual equipment.
• Ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot basic audio equipment.
• Basic knowledge of audio recording and editing.
• Ability to organize equipment and work areas.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, participants, artists, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and break down audio equipment for studio sessions, programs, and live events.
• Operate microphones, speakers, monitors, mixers, recording equipment.
• Assist with audio recording, editing, and playback using Pro Tools or comparable software.
• Support recording sessions for podcasts, music, spoken-word projects, and other creative programs.
• Test, troubleshoot, and make basic adjustments to audio equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized, and functional studio spaces and equipment.
• Report on equipment issues requiring additional technical support.
• Set up and operate basic audiovisual equipment for museum programs, events, and exhibitions.
• Assist with projectors, displays, microphones, speakers, and presentation equipment.
• Conduct equipment checks before programs and events.
• Provide basic technical support during programs and events.
• Assist with equipment setup and breakdown across the museum's sites as assigned.
• Work with museum staff, artists, instructors, performers, and program participants to meet technical needs for events and exhibition installations.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff, participants, and the public.
• Assist with equipment organization and inventory.
• Follow established safety and equipment procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Audio equipment

A/V setup

Audio recording/editing basics

Organization

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Job Summary:

• Under general supervision the Technical Assistant provides technical support for Studio at Cedar, with a primary focus on audio recording, live sound, studio operations, equipment setup, and basic audiovisual support. Assists with the technical needs of museum facilities, programs and events as assigned.

Studio & Audio Support:

• Set up, operate, and break down audio equipment for studio sessions, programs, and live events.
• Operate microphones, speakers, monitors, mixers, recording equipment, and related audio equipment.
• Assist with audio recording, editing, and playback using Pro Tools or comparable software.
• Support recording sessions for podcasts, music, spoken-word projects, and other creative programs.
• Test, troubleshoot, and make basic adjustments to audio equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized, and functional studio spaces and equipment.
• Report on equipment issues requiring additional technical support.

Audiovisual & Event Support:

• Set up and operate basic audiovisual equipment for museum programs, events, and exhibitions.
• Assist with projectors, displays, microphones, speakers, and presentation equipment.
• Conduct equipment checks before programs and events.
• Provide basic technical support during programs and events.
• Assist with equipment setup and breakdown across the museum's sites as assigned.

General Support:

• Work with museum staff, artists, instructors, performers, and program participants to meet technical needs for events and exhibition installations.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff, participants, and the public.
• Assist with equipment organization and inventory.
• Follow established safety and equipment procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Basic knowledge of audio and audiovisual equipment.
• Ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot basic audio equipment.
• Basic knowledge of audio recording and editing.
• Ability to organize equipment and work areas.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, participants, artists, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The duties listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may also perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor. This position is considered (non-exempt or exempt)

• Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Coursework, training, or experience in audio production, music technology, audiovisual production, digital media, or a related field is desirable.

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving – Analytically and logically evaluating information
• Learning Agility – Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to work
• Handling Stress – Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics – Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Safety Focus – Showing Vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Customer Focus – Attending to the Needs and expectations of customers
• Informing – Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity – Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Allocating Resources – Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness

Guiding Principles:

1. Put people first.
2. Be visionary.
3. Be an ambassador for Lancaster.
4. Be Fiscally Responsible.
5. Be Creative.
6. Always Improving.
7. Be Adaptable and Resilient.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ascend/Descend stairs/ladders/balance (moderate)
• Position self to bend or twist (frequent)
• To move, transport, position items up to 15 lbs. (frequent)
• Exposed to outdoor weather conditions (infrequent)
• Operate Equipment (none)
• Stationary or squatting position (frequent)

Environmental Factors:

• Work under time pressure (moderate to frequent)
• Interruptions (frequent)

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)
• Organize (frequent)

Disaster Service Worker:

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109, all public employees are declared disaster service workers subject to disaster service activities as may be assigned to them in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disaster.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The City of Lancaster will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City of Lancaster is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.