National Museum of African American Music

Job Description Job Description The Audio Visual Specialist is the museum's in-house technical expert for sound and visual presentation. NMAAM is a music museum where music is performed constantly: in the theater, in the event hall, in the lobby, in the galleries, and in the classroom. This role makes those moments sound and look the way the artists and the institution deserve. The position supports internal and external programs, events, and activations across the museum, from a Grammy winner's soundcheck to a donor reception to a school program to a partner's rental event. The center of gravity is live music, and the person in this role should be someone who loves that work and wants to build a career in it. The Audio Visual Specailist is scoped for someone entering the field with credentials and hands-on training already in hand. The expectation is readiness to operate independently on standard configurations from the start, with orientation covering museum-specific systems rather than foundational technique. The museum in turn commits to continued development through training, certification, and progressively larger productions. NMAAM is the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy and celebrating the accomplishments of the many music genres created, influenced, or inspired by African Americans. The Museum will share the story of the American Soundtrack, integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Live Performance Audio and Production (40%) Serve as primary sound engineer for museum performances across all spaces, including the theater, event hall, lobby, and gallery activations Set up, operate, and strike audio systems, including microphones, direct boxes, monitors, mixing consoles, and playback sources Run soundcheck with artists and their engineers, and adapt quickly when the plan changes on arrival Provide monitor mixes and stage support appropriate to the format, from a solo vocalist to a full band Serve as active production participant during events, running show cues including slideshows, video and music playback, and lighting changes Operate performance lighting, including basic design, focus, and cue execution for the museum's spaces Serve as the technical point of contact during performances, resolving issues in real time without interrupting the experience Support recording, streaming, and hybrid delivery of performances and programs so content reaches audiences beyond the room Support recording and capture of performances so programming can feed the museum's digital platform and radio channel Coordinate with visiting artist engineers and touring technical staff as a competent peer Serve as the museum's primary resource for full backline setup, including drum kit assembly and configuration, so that capability is not dependent on a single individual Technical Advance and Artist Requirements (15%) Review artist technical riders, stage plots, and input lists, and translate them into what the museum can deliver with in-house resources Work with the Artist Relations Coordinator to convert the artist intake form into a complete technical plan before arrival Identify gaps between artist requirements and museum capability early enough to rent, substitute, or renegotiate rather than discover on show day Produce the museum's technical documentation for visiting artists, including system specifications, available inventory, power, and space constraints Prepare run sheets and technical schedules for load in, soundcheck, performance, and load out Escalate requirements that carry cost or risk to the Director of Music Industry Relations before commitments are made Performance Venue Systems and Standards (15%) Maintain performance audio and visual systems across the theater, event hall, lobby, and activation spaces in performance-ready condition Set the technical standards, presets, and configurations that allow routine presentations and meetings to be supported by Information Technology without specialist involvement Support streaming and broadcast setups for programming distributed beyond the building Ensure performance systems integrate properly with museum infrastructure, including network connectivity, bandwidth requirements, and system compatibility, coordinating with Information Technology Perform routine testing, cleaning, calibration, and preventive maintenance on performance systems Diagnose and resolve faults in performance systems, escalating to vendors or Information Technology when the issue crosses into network or infrastructure Maintain technical documentation for each performance space, including signal flow, patching, presets, and equipment inventory Provide technical orientation and reference materials so Information Technology staff can confidently handle routine setups Backline and Equipment Stewardship (15%) Maintain the museum's backline inventory, including instruments, amplifiers, drum hardware, and keyboards, in performance-ready condition Track condition, service history, tuning, consumables, and replacement needs, and flag equipment nearing end of life Manage cable, microphone, and accessory inventory, including labeling, storage, and loss prevention Coordinate rentals and subrentals when a production exceeds in-house inventory Enforce handling, storage, and security standards for equipment, particularly around high-traffic public spaces Recommend equipment purchases based on recurring production needs rather than one-time requests Cross-Department Support (10%) Support Events and Venue Operations on rentals, private events, and institutional programming requiring audio visual services Support Curatorial on exhibition-related presentations, openings, gallery talks, and media playback needs Support Education and Engagement on classroom technology, program audio, and offsite program equipment Support Marketing and content capture on recording, audio for video production, and live social broadcasts Serve as the museum's on-the-ground technical contact for external production partners on larger productions, providing venue knowledge, power and rigging constraints, and system specifications Provide basic technical orientation to staff who operate simple systems independently Safety, Development, and Documentation (5%) Follow and enforce safety practice for electrical work, rigging limits, load handling, ladder use, and hearing protection Maintain sound level practice appropriate to each space, protecting audiences, staff, and the collection environment Participate in museum-supported training and pursue certifications relevant to the role Document systems, procedures, and standard setups so knowledge does not live in one person's head Build toward progressively larger production responsibility as skills develop Required Qualifications: Required One of the following: a diploma, certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in audio engineering, audio production, live sound, recording arts, or a related field from an accredited institution or recognized industry program; or one or more years of hands-on live sound experience in a venue, house of worship, touring, school, studio, or event production setting Demonstrated readiness to run standard performance and event configurations independently, with orientation limited to museum-specific systems Working knowledge of signal flow, gain structure, microphone selection and placement, and monitor mixing Ability to operate a digital mixing console and learn new consoles quickly Ability to read and interpret a technical rider, stage plot, and input list Familiarity with common backline instruments and amplification Working familiarity with digital presentation tools, streaming platforms, and basic networking concepts as they apply to audio visual systems Sound troubleshooting instinct under time pressure, with composure in front of artists and audiences Availability for evenings, weekends, and occasional early load ins Reliability and follow-through, since this role often works without direct supervision during events Preferred Both a completed audio program and field experience, rather than one or the other Manufacturer or platform certification, including digital audio networking, console-specific training, or industry credentials in audio visual systems Video, projection, lighting, or streaming production experience Recording and post-production familiarity, particularly for capturing live performance Experience in a museum, theater, performing arts venue, or comparable public-facing environment Safety credentials, including workplace safety training or first aid and CPR certification Genuine interest in African American music history and the museum's mission Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Live sound fundamentals:Working knowledge of signal flow, gain structure, system tuning, microphone selection and placement, and digital console operation across varied room conditions. Backline and technical documentation: Familiarity with instruments and amplification, and the ability to read a technical rider, stage plot, and input list and translate it into an executable setup. . click apply for full job details