Distance Education Operations Specialist

DEN@Viterbi (DEN) is the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s graduate online engineering program that supports more than 40 master’s degrees and noncredit programs in a hybrid model, supporting faculty and students in the classroom and online. DEN’s infrastructure consists of 18 hybrid classrooms and learning environments including learning management systems, lecture recording, database systems, and staff in areas of classroom operations, instructional services, technical support, systems administration, software programming, and advisement services.

The role of a Distance Education Operations Specialist is to provide training and technical support for classrooms and post-production operations for the Viterbi School of Engineering. Provides training and support for instructional technologies for both portable and studio-classroom delivery of synchronous and asynchronous e-Learning systems and services. Edits programs as assigned. Contributes to the establishment and maintenance of software and documentation libraries. Assists with evaluating and maintaining standards of quality in delivery of e-Learning systems and services. Works to support the primary objectives of Viterbi School’s offerings including the support of on campus, online, and blended courses.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Ensures the smooth operation of live and recorded courses taught by distance education instructors. Provides instructor, interactivity, and capture support for classroom activities and related peripherals; including computers, electronic boards, webcast encoder applications, cameras and interactive technologies. Assists with evaluating and maintaining standards of quality in delivery of e-Learning Systems and services. Interfaces with instructors and other staff to provide instructional support, capture and deliver class content through audio-visual systems, and set up interactive conferencing (e.g., web, phone, and video conferencing portable capture systems). Supports all instructional activities related to facilities and portable equipment usage.
• Interviews and recommends new student worker hires. Trains, schedules, and assigns work to staff and/or student workers as required. Provides feedback and guidance as needed.
• Participates in the development of documentation, user policies and procedures, and/or security procedures.
• Plans and conducts hands-on training sessions on such topics as hardware and software applications including related policies and procedures for faculty, staff and students. Schedules faculty, staff and/or student training sessions.
• Collaborates with other units to improve access to and maximize the use of computing resources.
• Provides postproduction support and editing of video and audio recordings of courses and professional program offerings
• Establishes and maintains software and documentation libraries and inventories.  Maintains and updates list of software and hardware needs for all courses.
• Implements and may coordinate updates and changes to the class recording schedule as needed.
• Performs routine operations equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Stays informed of new technologies and hardware to improve quality of distance education operations. May make recommendations as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.  The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
• Typically covers the late afternoon and evening hours (2pm-10pm) to support the class schedule of operations.  Possibly works some Saturdays on a rotational basis with the other supervisors.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred Education:

Specialized/technical training

Preferred Experience:

3 Years

Preferred Field of Expertise:

Direct experience with instructional design and course development. Demonstrates experience with instructional tools for online and blended course delivery. Demonstrates interpersonal, critical thinking, and communication skills. Demonstrates proficiency in course management systems, Microsoft Office, and various instructional and assessment tools. Experience with design, construction, and maintenance of distance learning systems including television broadcast, teleconferencing, inter/intranet applications, and video production.

Required Application Materials:

Cover Letter Resume/CV

Applications will not be considered complete if these documents are missing.