Senior Audio-Visual Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Audio-Visual Engineer

Exempt : No
Department : Events
Reports To : Manager, Event Operations
Location : Fayetteville Public Library
Safety Sensitive : No

Pay Grade: 6

Pay Range: $55,800.00 - $69,750.00

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Senior Audio Visual (AV) Engineer provides advanced audio engineering, live event production, recording, streaming, and technical support for Fayetteville Public Library programs, events, and internal operations. This role serves as a lead technical resource within the Events team, guiding audio setup and execution, supporting staff and patron needs, maintaining professional production standards, and helping train staff, patrons, and team members in safe and effective use of AV equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serve as lead audio engineer for assigned library events, including concerts, author talks, presentations, community programs, trainings, and indoor or outdoor events.
2. Plan, set up, operate, monitor, and strike audio equipment, including digital and analog mixers, microphones, speakers, monitors, signal processors, playback devices, intercom systems, and related production equipment.
3. Provide front-of-house and monitor engineering services, balancing sound quality, speech intelligibility, audience experience, performer needs, and room acoustics.
4. Lead audio production for complex or high-profile events, coordinating technical requirements with event organizers, performers, presenters, vendors, staff, and other stakeholders.
5. Provide technical direction to AV staff, support technicians, volunteers, and assigned team members during event setup, rehearsal, live operation, and strike.
6. Support live streaming and video production by coordinating audio feeds, camera audio, switcher inputs, recording systems, and broadcast-quality signal flow.
7. Provide audio recording services for live events, voiceovers, podcasts, interviews, training videos, and other original digital content.
8. Troubleshoot audio, AV, computer, cabling, networking, and signal-flow issues before and during events; resolve problems quickly and professionally.
9. Maintain, inspect, test, organize, and document AV equipment to ensure reliable operation and safe use.
10. Build, repair, label, and manage audio, video, power, and data cabling; assist with rack builds, wiring, and clean cable management.
11. Serve as an escalation point for AV support requests from staff and patrons, including equipment use, event support, recording, streaming, and room technology.
12. Document technical issues, repairs, service needs, event notes, inventory updates, and recurring problems in appropriate systems.
13. Develop, update, and support standard operating procedures, setup diagrams, signal-flow documentation, checklists, and training materials for AV operations.
14. Train staff, patrons, and assigned team members on audio systems, microphones, room technology, event support procedures, safety practices, and basic troubleshooting.
15. Assist with planning and implementation of AV upgrades, equipment purchases, system improvements, and special projects.
16. Collaborate with the Events Operations Manager and other departments to ensure events are supported smoothly, professionally, and in alignment with library priorities.
17. Model excellent customer service, professional communication, teamwork, initiative, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
18. Follow safe work practices and carry out responsibilities in a manner that minimizes risk to staff, patrons, vendors, performers, and library property.
19. Perform other related duties as assigned.

LEAD RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Carryout evaluation of AV technologies and make technical recommendations to the Directors team when needs arise.
2. Serve as the primary senior technical resource for the events team while coordinating and confirming the technical work required. 
3. Serve as the lead technical contact for assigned events and productions, ensuring clear communication, preparation, and follow-through.
4. Provide day-to-day technical guidance to Events team members during event production and equipment support assignments.
5. Help prioritize work during high-volume event periods, balancing scheduled production needs, support requests, preventive maintenance, and urgent troubleshooting.
6. Assist with onboarding and training new AV staff, including coaching on library standards, equipment care, customer service expectations, and event procedures.
7. Review assigned setups and productions for quality, safety, consistency, and readiness.
8. Identify workflow improvements and recommend updates to procedures, documentation, equipment configurations, and training practices.
9. Support the Event Operations Manager by coordinating technical details, sharing status updates, and helping ensure department work is completed accurately and on time.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; specialized training, technical school, associate degree, or equivalent coursework in audio engineering, music production, media production, information technology, or a related field preferred.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in live sound, event production, audio recording, AV support, or a closely related technical field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Demonstrated experience operating professional audio systems for live events, including mixers, microphones, speakers, monitors, routing, wireless systems, and signal processing.
• Experience troubleshooting audio, AV, computer, cabling, and basic networking issues in a live production or customer-facing environment.
• Experience training, coaching, orienting, or providing technical guidance to others.
• Valid driver’s license may be required for off-site events or transport of equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting concerts, public programs, educational events, corporate presentations, hybrid meetings, livestreams, podcasts, or community events.
• Experience with digital audio consoles, Dante or other networked audio systems, wireless frequency coordination, digital signal processing, and multitrack recording.
• Experience with video switchers, cameras, streaming platforms, editing software, lighting, stage plots, input lists, and event production documentation.
• Experience working in a library, nonprofit, performing arts, education, municipal, or public service environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of live sound reinforcement, microphone selection and placement, gain structure, equalization, dynamics, feedback control, stage monitoring, and signal flow.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to remain calm, focused, and solutions-oriented during live events.
• Ability to lead technical work without losing focus on service, collaboration, inclusion, and the patron experience.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to staff, patrons, presenters, performers, and coworkers with varying levels of technical experience.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, documentation habits, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced event environment.
• Proficiency with computers, common office software, AV control systems, ticketing or help desk systems, and related production tools.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, follow directions, and use sound judgment when resolving technical and customer service issues.
• Commitment to public service and to creating a welcoming, accessible, and respectful library environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & REQUIREMENTS

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

• Work is performed in office, meeting room, studio, auditorium, event, backstage, outdoor, and public service settings. The role requires frequent interaction with staff, patrons, presenters, performers, vendors, and community partners. Work may include high-pressure live event situations, changing priorities, loud sound levels, low-light conditions, and occasional exposure to outdoor weather during events.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, climb, and work at heights or in tight spaces as needed for event and equipment setup. Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, and move AV equipment, cases, speakers, stands, cables, and related materials, with assistance or equipment when appropriate. Must be able to distinguish audio quality, communicate clearly in person and by phone or radio, use a computer and production equipment, and work safely around electrical, rigging, cabling, and event-related hazards.

SCHEDULE

Schedule may include daytime, evening, weekend, and occasional holiday hours based on library events, programs, and operational needs. Flexibility is required to support setup, rehearsal, live production, strike, and urgent technical issues.

EEO STATEMENT

Fayetteville Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need. The Library is committed to maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive workplace and service environment.