At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

Purpose of the Role

The Campus Audio/Visual (AV) Associate for the Obama Presidential Center will be responsible for performing maintenance and updates to audiovisual equipment across the campus. This position will support integrated and complex AV technology that interacts with multiple teams, including direct public facing applications, though assignments may change based on campus needs and shift requirements.

As an Associate for the Obama Presidential Center, you will be reporting to the Senior Director, Campus Facility Operations working closely with the Senior Associate of OPC Campus AV Systems.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Operate and provide technical support for all audiovisual equipment, including setup and tear down support, across the Obama Presidential Center campus.

• Maintain a working knowledge of electrical standards and best practices in alignment with union requirements.

• Collaborate with internal teams for seamless technology integration, particularly in coordination with the Operations and Maintenance teams.

• Handle, install, and troubleshoot complex presentations, digital art, concerts, and other public displays via multiple intricate systems including but not limited to projection, audio engineering, video systems, and lighting.

• Work closely with the Manager in preparing and installing equipment for museum exhibits, programming spaces, and special events to avoid disruption in programming or services.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Provide audiovisual technical support throughout OPC spaces including but not limited to the Museum, Library, Forum program spaces, Athletic Center, and the Auditorium.

• Troubleshoot and repair equipment and network components as needed.

• Complete daily surveys of all audiovisual equipment on the OPC campus to ensure optimal audiovisual experiences to guests and clients of the OPC.

• Perform routine maintenance on a defined cadence to ensure integrity of equipment.

• Maintain a working knowledge of best practices, particularly as it relates to cultural institutions and technology solutions for inclusive exhibits.

• Set up, test, and operate live sound systems and visual displays including but not limited to: projectors, video switchers, lighting boards, lighting fixtures, sound boards, microphones, amplifiers, speakers, flat-panel displays, and computers.

• Complete daily assignments as prioritized by the Senior Manager in support of exhibit and non-exhibit elements.

• Assist with inventory, system migrations, software implementation, and installation of new hardware.

• Perform inventory analysis and maintain assets, preparing equipment for report or replacement as needed.

• Participate in, and occasionally lead, ongoing training to continuously improve campus AV experiences.

Required Qualifications

• Candidates need to have 2+ years of operational experience with integrated audiovisual systems and the related audiovisual components, including but not limited to conferencing rooms, live sound, projection, lighting control, video playback systems and displays, and digital signage.

• Direct experience operating and troubleshooting Q-SYS, BrightSign, and Crestron hardware and software.

• Proven expertise working with Dante audio protocols within installed systems or live production environments.

• A proactive approach to technical problem-solving in a high-traffic public space.

• AVIXA CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) certification is strongly preferred.

• Flexibility of hours, including but not limited to early morning, late night, weekends, and holidays across campus in both indoor and outdoor environments.

• Ability to work out of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park and/or other Obama Foundation locations in Chicago.

The salary range for this role is between $59,755 and $74,760.

This is an onsite role based at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.