Audio-Visual Specialists

Career summary

#review 4/4/19 lh

Audio-visual specialists work with audio-visual (AV) equipment to create multimedia presentations and performances. AV equipment is used in:

• Theatres
• Musical shows
• Dance performances
• Conferences
• Political rallies
• Religious settings

Audio-visual specialists select equipment and plan where the equipment is placed. They talk to organizers and participants to understand the effects needed. Specialists locate sets, lighting, or equipment. They set up the equipment or direct others to set it up. They troubleshoot and run equipment tests to make sure everything is working properly.

AV specialists operate the equipment during the presentation. They run the sound, microphones, lights, and video. They project graphics or web pages onto a screen for viewing.

AV specialists often work in school systems. They make presentations using various media such as television or film. Specialists also train and help teachers use media in their classrooms.

Specialists plan presentations based on requests from teachers or other school staff. They may develop their own ideas for presentations for students, parents, or staff. They develop outlines to plan the production and decide what equipment and materials to use.

Sometimes specialists develop manuals for use with presentations. They may design pamphlets or other print materials. They may develop workbooks to be used with classroom activities. In some cases, they direct assistants to create materials and oversee their work.

Specialists order and keep track of the audio-visual equipment and materials they use. They maintain records of equipment and schedule its use. In addition, they give training sessions on ways to use materials and how to operate equipment. They also direct and coordinate the work of assistants.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Automotive Electronics Installers
• Broadcast Technicians
• Camera Operators
• Computer User Support Specialists
• Engineering Technicians
• Film and Video Editors
• Library Assistants and Bookmobile Drivers
• Library Technical Assistants
• Movie Projectionists
• Sound Engineering Technicians

Military careers

• Audiovisual and Broadcast Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to audio-visual specialists.

• Direct and coordinate the activities of assistants and other staff.
• Clean equipment and audiovisual materials. Fix equipment when needed.
• Decide on format, content, and medium to meet objectives within budget, using research and training.
• Set up, adjust, and operate equipment, such as cameras, sound mixers, or computers.
• Conduct training sessions on use and design of audiovisual materials and operation of equipment.
• Buy, organize, and schedule resources.
• Narrate or announce presentations.
• Develop manuals, texts, or other materials for use with presentations.
• Locate sets, lighting, equipment, or other materials.
• Plan presentations based on requests, or develop own ideas.
• Mix sounds and coordinate sound with pictures.
• Edit videotapes and transfer productions using computers.
• Attend conferences and keep up with current trends.

Common work activities

Audio-visual specialists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Think creatively
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Document and record information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Process information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Evaluate information against standards
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Teach others
• Schedule work and activities
• Analyze data or information
• Develop goals and strategies
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, audio-visual specialists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with teachers and other school staff.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of assistants.
• Communicate with people daily in person, over the phone and over email. Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
• Work in teams to produce or present media.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors. May work outdoors on rare occasions.
• Occasionally exposed to noise levels that are uncomfortable during concerts and sound recordings.
• Sometimes work in cramped places or awkward positions while placing equipment.
• May sometimes work in high places or hazardous conditions in order to place and operate equipment.

Work performance

• Must be exact and accurate to avoid errors.
• Repeat the same physical tasks when operating equipment.
• Make most decisions without consulting a supervisor.
• Must frequently meet strict deadlines.
• Are free to set most tasks, priorities, and goals without consulting a supervisor. For larger projects, they will seek direction from a superior.

Hours/travel

• Usually work full time but may work part time.
• May travel to make presentations.
• Typically work a set schedule but may work weekends and nights.

Physical demands

Audio-visual specialists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for audio-visual specialists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for audio-visual specialists to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

Skills and abilities

Audio-visual specialists need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Educational and Instructional Technology
• Library Science

Other programs of study to consider

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Education, General
• Library Assistant
• Photographic, Film, and Video Technology
• Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology
• Recording Arts Technology

Training

To work as an audio-visual specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete courses in educational media; and
• have a teaching license if you plan to teach.

Education after high school

Audio and video equipment technicians receive formal training. They complete courses at professional-technical schools and two-year colleges. In these programs, you learn about educational media.

Many audio-visual and multimedia collections specialists have a bachelor's degree. Several areas of study prepare you for this occupation. For example, a degree in theatre production or electronics is useful for people wanting to work in a performance setting. Some have a master's degree in library science (MLS) or educational media. People wanting to work as an AV specialist in education should take courses in educational media and instructional technology.

Work experience

You can gain experience using audio-visual equipment in high school and college. Many audio-visual and multimedia collections specialists have one to five years of work experience.

On-the-job training

As a new specialist you are likely to receive on-the-job training. In general, audio and video equipment technicians receive training that lasts up to one month.

Military training

The military trains people to become audiovisual and broadcast technicians. Training lasts seven to 52 weeks, depending on the specialty. Skills you learn in this military occupation may prepare you to be a specialist.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Child Development
• Computer Applications
• Desktop Publishing
• Graphic Design
• Psychology
• Web Page Design

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers such as schools may prefer applicants with teaching or education backgrounds. Some may prefer applicants with experience in advanced technology in education.

Employers in the entertainment industry prefer applicants with theatre production backgrounds.

Employers look for creative, inventive people who work well on a team. Good electronic and computer skills are very important. Good communication skills and manual skills are also important.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Audio and Video Equipment Technicians 
• Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages for audio-visual specialists vary by type of work done, employer, and area of the country. Wages also vary depending on the education and experience of the specialist.

Full-time audio-visual specialists often receive benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. They may also receive a retirement plan. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Movie and video production companies
• Elementary, middle, and high schools
• State and local government agencies

National outlook

Demand for audio-visual specialists will grow as there is increased need for video conferencing and other audio-visual services. Digital signs, interactive white boards, and video technology in schools and colleges will increase demand for audio-visual specialists as well.

Competition for jobs is strong because there are many people interested in working in electronics. An associate or bachelor's degree in this field will be very helpful.

Other resources

American Library Association 
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
800.545.2433
312.944.6780

Association for Educational Communications and Technology 
20 W. 8th Street, Suite 101
Bloomington, IN 47404-3745

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupations

• Audio and Video Equipment Technicians (27-4011.00) 
• Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists (25-9011.00) 

O*Net job zones 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Audiovisual Production Specialist (149.061-010) 
• Communications Technician (962.362-010) 
• Laserist (159.042-010) 
• Light Technician (962.362-014) 
• Lighting-equipment Operator (962.381-014) 
• Planetarium Technician (962.261-010) 
• Sight-effects Specialist (962.267-010) 
• Sound Controller (194.262-014) 
• Special Effects Specialist (962.281-018) 
• Stage Technician (962.261-014) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Conventional/Realistic/Social
• Realistic/Conventional/Social
• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Service Professional