Arts / Film and Digital Media IT Specialist

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 01-06-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

At UC Santa Cruz, Information Technology Services (ITS) is committed to providing exceptional, modern, accessible, and secure services through strategic partnerships with academic and administrative divisions. Our mission is to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff, while fostering a culture that embraces the rich variety of perspectives and experiences within our community.

Building on the UCSC Principles of Community, we emphasize clear, respectful communication, celebrating successes, assuming positive intent, and aligning our actions with ITS goals. We are committed to keeping our promises, addressing conflicts directly, and supporting decisions once made, all while promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

University of California offers competitive benefits including University of California (UC) retirement with pension options, Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans on the first day of employment for eligible staff and Paid Family Care and Bonding Leave, and a generous accrual program. Visit the UC benefits page for more information at UC Compensation and Benefits.

JOB SUMMARY

The Art/Film and Digital Media IT Specialist provides general and discipline-specific IT services and digital media support to departments within the Arts Division, with a primary focus on the Film and Digital Media (FDM) department. This role supports both instructional and research activities. The IT Specialist manages hardware and software inventory, oversees refresh cycles, and leads the IT aspects of complex instructional spaces across multiple locations. They are also responsible for managing equipment and software budgets in coordination with department management.

Working closely with the Lead Digital Media Specialist, this position supports faculty, staff, visitors, and students in film and digital media projects. Key responsibilities include administering existing systems and optionally creating new administrative solutions, as well as performing system administration and maintenance for multiple servers that handle file storage, applications, web hosting, databases, and other functions.

As an embedded member of the Arts Division IT unit, primarily serving the Film and Digital Media Department, the IT Specialist provides direct support to faculty, staff, and students related to instruction and research. The role requires knowledge of teaching technologies commonly used at UC Santa Cruz and other universities, as well as an understanding of emerging digital media tools.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $92,540 - $99,200/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 007309 (INFO SYS ANL 3)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Manage IT resources

• Acts as a lead in managing IT aspects of complex instructional spaces, equipping and configuring labs, classrooms, editing suites, legacy film ingestion/digitization systems, and other technical spaces and services to meet curricular needs, and in accordance with current best practices.
• Manages hardware and software refresh cycles, from researching and ordering to disposal. Manages hardware inventory. Maintains software inventory and manages software license compliance. Maintains mobile device management (MDM) systems.
• Installs, tests, and verifies discipline-specific applications, operating systems, related software, and updates.
• Works with the Lead Digital Media Specialist to research and recommend tools for in-person, remote, and hybrid instruction and production. Consults with and advises the department and division on products, directions, choices, and purchases.
• Maintains network and security configurations. Collaborates with Operations staff to maintain physical security systems.
• Consults with and advises other campus units on IT aspects of local capital and infrastructure projects.

20% - Film and digital media instructional support

• Works with the Lead Digital Media Specialist to provide film and digital media support for faculty, staff, visitors, and students as appropriate.
• Evaluates requests for software, third-party and cloud services, and infrastructure from faculty and others, and performs tests as appropriate. Manages installation, authentication, storage, and administration as needed. Monitors compliance with FERPA and UCSC IT security standards.
• Produces and updates documentation on the software and hardware used in film and digital media production.
• Trains and supports users in applications, equipment, and facilities. May present workshops on various technical aspects of film and digital media production and department systems.
• Provides support as needed on-campus learning management system, media management system, and other campus systems for instruction.
• May assist in preparing video and digital media materials for student and faculty screenings and exhibitions.
• Works with Lead Digital Media Specialist and Department staff to maintain facility/subject area web presence.

15% - Manage administrative systems

• Manages administrative systems used in the FDM department. May also manage administrative systems for other Arts Division units. In FDM, systems include room reservation and access management, equipment inventory and checkout, the production concentration application system, and others.
• As new needs arise, performs departmental workflow analysis and formulates logic for new systems. Investigates and evaluates third-party providers, platforms, and hosting. May perform advanced coding, testing/debugging to create new systems. Implements related business processes. Imports data from other systems as needed. Develops conversion and system implementation plans.
• Trains and supports users in complex applications and prepares documentation.
• Evaluates the need for and resource use of administrative systems. Transitions systems to third-party providers, central campus systems, cloud platforms, or maintains in place, as appropriate.

25% - System and web administration

• Performs system administration and maintenance functions for multiple servers with file, application, web, database, and other functions.
• Maintains the back end of administrative websites by providing upgrades or transitions as appropriate.
• Maintains security configurations. Maintains directory services and coordinates directory services with providers from other units.
• Coordinates with ITS colleagues on central projects, e.g. storage, firewall, backups, etc.
• Manages and maintains video streaming and storage solutions, both locally hosted and cloud-based.
• Monitors services for potential violations of privacy and copyright policies.
• Analyzes and implements network projects as needed.
• May write and execute complex scripts and may write software in support of systems management, log analysis, and other system administration duties.

5% - Budget

• Manages equipment and software budget, in coordination with department management.
• Actively maintains awareness of the funding environment, seeking sources of funding and preparing grant applications for funding as opportunities arise.

5% - General IT services

• Provides a variety of IT services which may include desktop support, facilitating hardware repair, classroom and conference room support, and other duties as technologies emerge or are adopted by the division or department.
• Troubleshoots the most complex issues.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced knowledge of filesystems and storage solutions, with an understanding of best video production and archiving practices. Knowledge of video codecs and their various strengths and weaknesses, including legacy analog formats, and processes for transcoding.
• Broad knowledge of various areas of IT. Demonstrated ability to install software and troubleshoot and repair complex problems with computing devices, peripherals, and software.
• Knowledge of the principles and concepts of film and digital media production and distribution.
• Extensive familiarity with the tools and techniques for remote device management and software installation (preferably Jamf, Bigfix, and Deep Freeze).
• Extensive and detailed familiarity with the Macintosh operating system, and interaction with common applications, including in a lab setting.
• Understanding of project management and service management principles. Knowledge of business and process analysis functions. Demonstrated ability to implement and execute plans informed by business analysis and project management.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to work effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff and students of varying social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds and skill levels, as well as with technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to elicit and communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to elicit and communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the willingness to learn new concepts and technologies.
• Demonstrated budgetary management skills.
• Ability to manage equipment, software and IT aspects of technical spaces for a large department. Ability to manage hardware and software refresh cycles, from researching and ordering to disposal. Ability to manage hardware inventory, software inventory and software license compliance.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to work cooperatively with local IT staff in other academic divisions and ITS units on shared service delivery, service incubation, optimization, stabilization as campus standard.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of the applications and equipment used in the creation and output of film and digital media projects.
• Ability to code in PHP, Python or other languages. Understanding of databases and data export formats.
• Ability to create training programs, including workshop development and delivery.
• Knowledge of the applications, equipment and materials used in animation; immersive reality technologies such as virtual and augmented reality; and other digital media technologies.
• Extensive familiarity with the Windows and Unix/Linux operating systems.
• Familiarity with web development and working in a CMS (preferably Wordpress).
• Familiarity with accessible technologies, particularly when used in instructional contexts.
• Familiarity with higher education processes and procedures. Experience with Learning Management Systems and Media Management Systems, or other experience using complex enterprise applications for education.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination