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Full Job Description
An individual or small team to provide ongoing A/V services for a Roman Catholic church with adjacent meeting spaces. Includes services for St. Paul’s Harvard Square (parish), Harvard Catholic Forum (HCF – educational programming), and Harvard Catholic Center (HCC - chaplaincy). Specific requests may also come from the St. Paul Choir School (SPCS).
Start: As soon as possible to gain familiarity with the scope of services and equipment; active ramp-up begins in September 2022.
Time Commitment: As needed, but an initial estimate would be an average of 15-25 hours per month, September to May, somewhat less June through August. Most of the work would be done on-site, and the coordinator would need to be available on some evenings, weekends, and holidays (which could be scheduled in advance) and from time to time at different hours on short notice to address immediate issues.
Facilities: The A/V Coordinator is responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment at the St. Paul’s campus, which includes (1) a church with live-streaming capabilities that include three installed cameras, audio feed from the house sound system, hanging microphones in the choir loft and other auxiliary inputs for additional microphone placement, all fed into a computer in the choir loft running OBS streaming software; (2) DiGiovanni Hall, a multi-purpose space which hosts lectures, using a portable PA system and projector equipment for in-person audiences as well as portable live-streaming and recording equipment (3) the Boles Room, a conference room accommodating 15+/- with an installed video screen and Bose conferencing system for presentations and videoconferencing.
Broadcasting and Recording Responsibilities:
Liturgies: St. Paul’s Harvard Square live streams and records to its YouTube Channel festival and feast day liturgies, typically with the Choir of Men and Boys, include a Mass of the Holy Spirit (Sept.), a Requiem (Nov), Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols/ Mass, Christmas Day Mass, Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter morning), Baccalaureate Mass (May), and potentially up to a half-dozen other liturgies (Mass or vespers). Total liturgies in the 12-15 per year range.
Lectures/ Music Events: HCF presents 10-12 lessons per academic year with A/V requirements: 4+/- sacred music programs with classes preceding a musical performance or music with liturgy in the church; 6-10 other studies in DiGiovanni Hall or Harvard facilities (in that case using the in-place A/V). These are all in-person (with sound and visual requirements), virtual (YouTube for sacred music programs, Zoom webinars for non-music HCF programs), and recorded (on YouTube channels). A/V services will also be required for an estimated 3-6 parish or HCC lectures per year. Total lectures/ music events: 12-18 per year.
Scope of Services: The A/V Coordinator
Runs A/V for the above activities at the best quality level possible given the equipment and venues, by being present as needed but sometimes training a staff member or volunteer to handle the on-site aspect.
Responsible for ongoing maintenance, testing, and proper functioning of sound, recording, and video equipment, as well as the computer in the choir loft, the audio/video feed from the church into the Parish Center “cry room” area, and portable equipment.
Makes recommendations for replacements and upgrades and works with other technicians as needed.
Prepares YouTube and Zoom links in advance to promote Livestream events; sets up Livestream on YouTube channel with good graphics, descriptions, and settings.
Edits recordings of liturgies and HCF, parish, or HCC programs for posting on appropriate YouTube channels, with thumbnails and (if applicable) attachments within 48 hours (24 hours if possible) of the program. Coordinates with the parish, HCF, or HCC staff to have links to YouTube recordings on websites.
HCF programs, in particular, collaborate with staff to ensure registration and survey aspects of the program are integrated with the Zoom or YouTube live streaming to facilitate easy access and data collection.
Requirements
Full technical and practical knowledge of the A/V equipment and technology sketched above, including Zoom webinar, YouTube, OBS, and basic audio mixing.
Commitment to best quality visuals and sound for all programs; a passion for providing the best possible overall A/V experience to audiences and viewers - in-person, livestreamed, and recorded.
Ability to work collaboratively with clergy and staff in a Catholic parish, chaplaincy, and university setting.
Minimum five years of relevant experience.
Contact: Deacon Tim O’Donnell, Program Director, Harvard Catholic Forum: timodonnell@post.harvard.edu