http://www.cooperhewitt.org/careers/interactive-gallery-technology-manager/
Cooper Hewitt seeks a dynamic Interactive Gallery Technology Manager responsible for the management and maintenance of gallery technology, across multiple platforms, for the museum. Work schedule is Thursday through Monday (weekends required).
In this role will support audio-visual, interactive, and gallery information technology components of the exhibitions, public programs, and may also offer assistance to the IT department to support daily operations of the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution. The purpose of this position is to install, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain technology-based exhibit components and software such as interactive displays and audio-visual equipment.
The Gallery Technology Manager works closely with IT, Digital & Emerging Media, Exhibitions, Education, Communications, and Visitor Experience teams. The role independently manages in-gallery technology, and assists the IT Manager with support of the underlying network and physical infrastructure. This includes troubleshooting immediate issues, and planning and implementing new hardware, installing and testing software, and ongoing maintenance. Provides guidance during exhibition planning, oversees equipment procurement, and oversees installation and the use of audio-visual, computer-based, and interactive technologies in the galleries.
MAJOR DUTIES:
Monitoring and Maintaining Gallery Technology Equipment (50%):
-The incumbent monitors the status of interactive exhibit elements, audio-visual displays and electronic works of design using IT-based network monitoring, remote access monitoring, and by performing regular visual inspections. S/he observes the public as they use various interactive systems in exhibitions, and engages with visitors when necessary to ascertain equipment or system status and pinpoint malfunctions.
-In concert with IT, Digital & Emerging Media, Exhibitions, Education, Communications and Visitor Experience teams, develops and documents gallery technology-related policies and procedures, including but not limited to software and system upgrades, network operations, and troubleshooting.
Documents the status of interactive gallery systems and results of daily maintenance, and distributes maintenance logs to CHM staff at the conclusion of each work day.
-Maintains the proper working order of interactive gallery systems, exhibition displays, networking equipment, and other exhibition elements or design objects with integrated IT or electronic components including networked touchscreen computers, all-in-one computing devices including Raspberry Pi and Arduino, standalone PCs, multi-screen Brightsign-controlled AV arrays, and other diverse systems running Windows and Linux.
-Resolves problems related to both equipment and associated software. S/he examines malfunctioning hardware to isolate defective parts and investigate whether inappropriate logical configurations are causing the problem. S/he selects appropriate immediate remedies and performs these actions. As necessary, s/he coordinates upper-level technical support within the Smithsonian and with outside equipment suppliers and service providers. S/he diagnoses problems on network equipment and various devices and, if required, recommends a cost-effective solution to supervisors for equipment and services beyond the museums’ in-house capabilities.
-Maintains and updates as-built system documentation and maintenance manuals for exhibit technology systems. S/he creates troubleshooting checklists for Smithsonian staff and contractors to operate and repair equipment and systems within exhibition and public spaces.
Confers with department staff to create and adjust the daily schedule of exhibit technology operations to meet the needs of educational and other special programs, as well as conservation restrictions for sensitive electronic media and equipment.
Works with Exhibitions Production and IT to secure gallery technologies both physically and with software locks, and undertakes research to ensure ongoing security of devices and software environments.
-Responsible for supporting visitor-facing mobile devices in a gallery environment (iOS, Android).
-Interfaces with Exhibition Production and Digital and Emerging Technology staff and third-party vendors on a regular and ongoing basis, attending staff meetings and providing ongoing recommendations to improve gallery technology and other feedback.
-Provides end-user technology training to all visitor experience staff and others within the museum
-Operates as COTR (contracting officer technical representative) for all in-gallery hardware
-Operates as property custodian for gallery IT hardware
Design and Installation of Exhibition Technology Systems (30%):
-Engages in the exhibition planning and design process to ensure that the existing technology platform for the museum is best used in future exhibitions.
Reviews exhibition designs with proposed media and interactive components and works with design and IT staff to determine technology requirements. Prepares equipment lists for soliciting vendor price quotations, evaluates with supervisors the merits of competing bids or proposals, and prepares purchasing documents to complete procurement.
-Prepares and installs IT, A/V, lighting, and audio equipment and associated software for exhibitions, adhering to the budgetary and scheduling parameters established by supervisors.
-Writes custom scripts to allow external IT-based control of a wide range of A/V and electronic media art equipment.
Working with staff of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, s/he specifies and configures exhibit zone IT networking infrastructure, including routers, switches, and wireless access points.
Audio/Visual Technician (20%):
-Fields requests and facilitates the various audio-visual needs for public events and interfaces with other staff as necessary to manage set-ups for public events.
-Ensures maintenance and upkeep of all audio-visual equipment in the public galleries of the museum and thorough inventory record-keeping.
Participates in the planning, execution, maintenance and troubleshooting of the audio/visual components of Cooper Hewitt’s exhibitions.
Special Requirements:
• Must be able to work a Thursday to Monday schedule (40 hours per week) that includes weekends and holidays.
• This is an essential position and will be required to work during inclement weather conditions if the museum is open.
• This position is ineligible for telework.
Qualification Requirements:
• Experience with a wide range of specialized A/V and IT equipment and associated software, most of which is constantly evolving and some of which must be adapted for the particular purposes of works of design and museums. Technical expertise to independently make appropriate decisions on A/V and computer equipment maintenance, and to work out the details for A/V equipment installation and exhibition planning. S/he performs duties characterized by the competing priorities of daily status checks versus project-driven installation schedules, and the very different technical approaches to routine maintenance and exhibition system design.
• Proven experience in maintaining public-facing technology infrastructure in a museum or similar environment.
• Ability to specify and install interactive displays, audio visual equipment and other technology or media- based systems.
• Experience in managing Windows networks and Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Experience with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or similar single-board microcomputers and related electronics and electrical componentry.
• Understanding of the basics of NFC, RFID and low energy Bluetooth communications.
• Ability to monitor, analyze and troubleshoot system malfunctions and restore equipment to proper working order.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications to prepare requests for pricing quotations for equipment and software for exhibitions.
• Ability to plan and complete museum exhibition projects within schedule and budget parameters.
• Knowledge of networking infrastructure to specify and configure IP addresses, network subnet structure, and wireless access points of a dedicated network zone for exhibitions.
• Knowledge of current industry standard exhibit or A/V software editing.
• Knowledge of current network and application-level protocols, and network monitoring techniques to determine operating status of A/V, interactive elements and electronic works of design.
• Ability to communicate in writing to author technical guides and as-built system documentation used by a variety of technical and non-technical staff and contractors to operate computer and A/V equipment.
• Knowledge of standard Microsoft and Apple hardware and software to install and support desktop computing systems.
• Experience in a customer-facing IT helpdesk environment.
• Experience with basic IT support methods including system imaging, and ability to troubleshoot TCP/IP networks, routers & switches, and firewall configurations.
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS:
401k (TIAA CREF) Earn up to 12% free contributions once eligible
Health Insurance (Carefirst – Blue Cross Blue Shield)
Dental (Delta Dental)
Vision Care (Vision Services Care)
Free – Life Insurance (Prudential)
Voluntary Accidental Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits (up to $130 per month free commuter costs paid for)
Commuter Bicycle Reimbursement Program
Paid Vacation (Annual Leave)
Paid Sick Leave
Family Friendly Leave
Family Friendly Workplace
Historic and landmark museum, offices and garden
Smithsonian Networking
92Y Fitness Center
Amazing Employee Discounts
Entrance to Museums and Galleries (New York)
Research/Design Library
Employee Assistance Program/Counseling
Health Screenings (onsite)
Flu Vaccine (onsite)
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae (CV) addressing the qualification requirements to HRtechnology@si.edu
