Senior Audiovisual Technician (Aspen Institute Account)

Senior Audiovisual Technician (Aspen Institute Account)

Spark Street Digital’s Architex division is hiring a Senior Audiovisual technician based in Washington, D.C., primarily dedicated to supporting live events for the Aspen Institute.

We are a small livestream & audiovisual production company. We create beautiful, high-definition, multi-camera live streams and audiovisual experiences for events large and small—in-person, virtual, and hybrid. Architex is our technical design and management division.

We collaborate with major foundations, Fortune 500 companies, the government agencies, and leading non-profit institutions like the Aspen Institute. We believe in our clients’ missions, and we believe that we can advance their work with powerful communication and production tools.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

The Role:

This role combines hands-on AV production with technical decision-making, on-site team leadership and client communication. As a technical leader and public face of production at the Aspen Institute, you will staff events on show days, direct event execution, and collaborate closely with the internal Institute and Architex teams.

The main responsibilities include:

• On-site technical leadership & execution:
• Serve as the technical leader during live, hybrid, and virtual events at the Aspen Institute.
• Operate AV systems alongside the Aspen Audiovisual Associate and, on larger events, expanded crews from Architex.
• Mentor team members and manage team workflow on event days.
• Provide post-event file trimming & editing, asset archiving, and prompt deliverable handoffs.

• Event intake, scoping & planning:
• Play a key role in the event intake, scoping, and kickoff alongside the internal Aspen and Architex teams, particularly the Architex Producer for Aspen Institute Events who leads this process.
• Assist with event planning, pre-production coordination, and asset intake.
• Translate event programmatic requirements into thoughtful, creative technical solutions.

• Stakeholder communication & collaboration:
• Communicate proactively with the blended Architex/Aspen team.
• Build trust with Aspen program leaders as the reliable and competent face of event operations.
• Collaborate seamlessly with other technicians, supporting peer-led events as needed, while taking ownership of assigned productions.

• System maintenance & process improvement:
• Maintain AV system documentation, recommend technical improvements, and perform systems maintenance.
• Help maintain retrospective event reports and metrics, alongside the Producer for Aspen Institute Events.

Key production systems in use at the Aspen Institute include: Yamaha audio consoles & Shure wireless microphones, Panasonic PTZ cameras and controllers, Blackmagic switchers, recorders and matrix routers, Crestron/Biamp installed video & audio systems, Clearcom Freespeak, Epiphan encoders and more. 

There are some things that the Senior Audiovisual Technician won’t be required to do. Enterprise-wide communications strategy, overall program budget management, and general administrative/staff scheduling are managed by other team members. The technician will report to Architex’s Producer for Aspen Institute Events and work directly with the internal Aspen team, including department leadership and an Audiovisual Associate.

Candidate Profile & Experience

This role is a great fit for someone with 7+ years of experience in live event AV production, broadcast, or technical event management who is able to take on primary on-site technical leadership. We value strong technical fundamentals alongside a problem-solving mindset and communication skills.

Strong candidates will bring:

• Hands-on experience with a broad range of AV systems, broadcast switchers, signal flows, audio consoles, and live stream / hybrid event tools.
• Mastery of core video production principles and the fundamentals of post-production editing/trimming.
• Ability to troubleshoot A/V issues quickly and efficiently during live events.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead crews and remain calm under live event pressure.
• Experience interfacing directly with high-profile clients and enterprise program managers.
• Familiarity with event planning & process management
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple events, adhering to timelines and budgets.
• A collaborative attitude with a desire to mentor others and learn continuously.

More broadly: we like solving problems, and we like to work with others who do too. If you enjoy coming up with clever, thoughtful systems for getting important work done efficiently, you’ll fit right in.

Location, benefits & compensation

This position is based on-site in Washington, D.C., at the Aspen Institute offices (convenient to public transit). While some coordination can occur remotely, this role requires in-person presence for on-call event support as well as event call times, setups, and execution. Most events at the Aspen Institute occur within business hours (8am-5pm), though we expect occasional night and weekend events for this Technician role.

We offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, a cellphone reimbursement benefit and paid leave. The expected salary range for this position is $75,000 - $90,000.

Application & Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume, a short cover note, and answers to the two additional questions to View email address on click.appcast.io with the Subject Line: Senior AV Technician Spark Street/Aspen. No phone calls, please.

Application Question(s):

1. Share a recent professional victory on a live production or event that you and your team were especially proud of, highlighting your specific leadership role.
2. What is something you’ve been wanting to try or implement on a production to take it to the next level?

Spark Street Digital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.