Audio Visual Technician, On Call

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

The Audio-Visual Technician is an on-call position within the Experience Engineering team and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and support of all audio-visual and electronics systems and peripherals throughout the Academy. This role primarily supports events requiring AV services, most notably Nightlife, while also providing support for public floor exhibits, the planetarium, conference rooms, and other events held onsite and/or offsite venues. 

Reporting to the AV Engineering Manager, the Audio-Visual Technician collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to deliver a consistent, high-quality audio-visual experience across all venues.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

• →Successfully set up, operate, and break down AV equipment for events in a timely manner.
• →Participate in proper care of all AV equipment, through proper breakdown, storage, maintenance, and repair.
• →Provide world class service to internal/external clients with effective communication and decisive action if issues arise.
• →Understand the technical elements of the job and demonstrate a strong practical ability to troubleshoot and problem solve equipment and software issues. 
• →Maintain and service installed AV systems in hybrid conference rooms and meeting spaces.
• →Adhere to the department’s operations and communications standards.
• →Respond to radio calls and service requests promptly and professionally.
• →Support Academy-related events at onsite and/or offsite locations as assigned; travel will be coordinated in accordance with Academy policy.
• →Follow all Academy safety procedures and maintain a safe and clean work environment. 
• →Adhere to the Academy Public Floor guidelines for attire, appearance, and behavior. 
• →Other duties as assigned.

• At least a high school diploma; production degree or equivalent training preferred.
• At least 2 years of audio visual work experience.
• At least 2 years experience with hybrid meetings/software/hardware.
• At least 1 year of customer service experience.

• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and evenings, the California Academy of  Sciences is open to the public 365 days a year. 
• Must know how to properly tape down, and wrap cables.
• Comfortable operating video or audio equipment in a live show environment.
• Working knowledge of live audio-visual equipment including sound mixers, microphones, video switchers, cameras, signal processing equipment etc.
• Working knowledge of hybrid meeting equipment, signal flow and software programs.
• Experience with Roland hybrid video switchers, digital audio mixers (Behringer/Allen & Heath), and DJ equipment. Q-Sys, NION, VNC, and installed AV environments are a plus.
• Computer literate: (Windows, Mac, presentation software, VLC, Google Workspace, Zoom, StreamYard, Qlab, etc.). 
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, team environment.
• Ability to maintain efficiency and effectiveness in high pressure/live audience situations.
• Ability to successfully undertake job responsibilities without supervision. 
• Ability to follow supervisor’s instructions and ask for direction and assistance when  necessary. 
• Ability to multitask, perform detailed work, and successfully complete assignments in a  timely manner. 

Ability to read and fully comprehend documents such as safety rules, operating and  maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals written in English. Ability to write routine reports and  correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals. Bilingual (spoken  and/or written) in Spanish, German, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, or other non-English  language preferred.