The Metropolitan Museum of Art

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity. 

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The Met seeks an experienced technician to serve as an Audio-Visual Specialist for Video and Lighting Control within the AV and Media Services division in the Digital Department. The Audio-Visual Specialist supports the Museum’s performances, symposia, lectures, convenings, classes, meetings, museum-wide festivals, and corporate and non-profit rentals. The Audio-Visual Specialist is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining audiovisual systems and theatrical equipment in the Uris Center for Education, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, and other spaces across the Museum.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Set up, operate, and monitor audio, video, and lighting systems and staging for meetings, hybrid and onsite programs, and events. 
• Work with internal and external clients for event support and management, including preparing, setting up, and operating audio-video and control equipment for performances, special engagements, conferences, committee meetings, seminars, etc.
• Assist with video documentation of live events and meetings, including controlling cameras and assisting with hybrid setups, sound routing and recording of live events, gathering and organizing digital assets, video recording, and editing. 
• Set up, monitor, and troubleshoot live streams for stream quality during live-streaming productions—support live streaming, including real-time and first-pass editing and trimming live event recordings.
• Set up, monitor, and troubleshoot audiovisual and control systems for on-site and hybrid meetings across the Museum.
• Routine inventory, maintenance, and repair of audiovisual and theatrical production equipment under the direction of the Senior Manager of AV and Media Services.
• Set up, operated, and monitored staging, lighting, audio, and video technology at museum facilities, including The Uris Center for Education, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, other locations around the museum, and the Met Cloisters. 
• Collaborate with external vendors and partners to deliver AV and media services as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• At least two years of experience in conference audiovisual, event, film/video, or technical theater production. 
• Experience operating, setting up, and maintaining audio, video, lighting, and electrical systems and theatrical staging. 
• Basic understanding of DMX protocol and soft patching lights.
• Experience setting up and operating livestream software (e.g., Wirecast, OBS, Teams Live).
• Experience operating, setting up, and maintaining AV over IP, including basic switch configuration, Dante routing, and NDI applications.
• Ability to read, understand, and complete work based on standard industry technical drawings and production documentation. 
• Working knowledge of Windows and Mac computers, digital video and audio formats, software and workflows, and basic wired and wireless IP network setup and troubleshooting. 
• Experience with audiovisual technology such as smart classroom media technology, including control (e.g., QSYS, Crestron, Biamp) & matrix routing systems (such as Crestron or Extron), interactive touch screens, ETC, Lutron, or similar lighting systems. 
• Basic skills in using hand tools, soldering irons, rigging equipment, etc. 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with Met staff, external partners, and rental clients with varied technical expertise. 
• Comfortable communicating via telephone, walkie-talkie, intercom, digital messaging apps, online software, etc. 
• Sensitivity to and awareness of the extra care required when moving equipment and working in proximity to objects of art. 
• Manual dexterity and ability to lift speakers, lights, props, etc.
• This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Moving Picture Projectionists, Video Technicians, and Allied Crafts Union, Local 306 of the International Theatrical Stage Employees Union. As a condition of employment, all new hires must become members of the Union within 30 days of hiring or pay to the Union a service charge equal to the regular dues and remain in good standing.

KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION:

• Degree or certificate from film, video, or live event production training program or commensurate work experience. 
• Bachelor’s Degree is not required but is considered a plus. 
• Audiovisual Network Professional (ANP), InfoComm Certified Technology Specialist (CTS), or other industry certifications are considered a plus.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Rate: $40.31/hour
• The advertised starting salary rate reflects this role's good faith minimum and maximum hourly rate. The IATSE Local 306 and Museum collective bargaining agreement sets starting salary and new hire rates. Incumbent rates may vary depending on an individual employee’s seniority status and based on terms provided by the collective bargaining agreement. 

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.