Student Podcast Technical Director - SC Students ONLY in Columbia, Missouri at Stephens College

The Student Podcast Technical Director supports the production of high-quality audio and video programming for the Stephens College Podcast Network. This student serves as the primary technical lead during recording sessions and live productions, working closely with student hosts, producers, faculty, staff, and guests. The role provides hands-on experience in media production, troubleshooting, project coordination, and professional communication.

Hours/Schedule: Approximately 8-12 hours per week; flexible. Some evening or event coverage may be required.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare the studio or remote production area before each session, including microphones, audio interface or mixer, cameras, lighting, headphones, teleprompter, recording software, and network connections.
• Serve as the technical lead during recordings by monitoring audio levels, camera framing, lighting, recording status, and overall production quality.
• Operate live-switching, recording, streaming, or virtual-interview systems as assigned; ensure backup recordings are captured when appropriate.
• Conduct pre-production technical checks with hosts and guests and explain equipment use, microphone technique, and recording procedures clearly.
• Identify and resolve routine issues involving sound, video, software, storage, cabling, or connectivity; promptly escalate problems that require professional support.
• Label, organize, back up, and transfer production files according to established naming conventions and storage practices.
• Support post-production by syncing audio and video, completing basic edits, exporting files, preparing captions or transcripts, and conducting quality-control reviews.
• Maintain an accurate equipment inventory; report damaged or missing equipment and help keep the studio secure, orderly, and production-ready.
• Coordinate production schedules and technical needs with hosts, producers, campus partners, and marketing staff; meet agreed-upon deadlines.
• Help develop production checklists, studio procedures, and training materials; assist in onboarding and coaching other student team members.
• Follow College policies related to privacy, copyright, accessibility, brand standards, appropriate content, and the responsible use of equipment and digital files.
• Represent Stephens College professionally when working with campus leaders, alumnae, community partners, and external guests.

Career Readiness Competencies Developed

Communication

• Clearly explain technical procedures, confirm production needs, provide cues, and share status updates with hosts, guests, and team members

Critical Thinking

Assess production conditions, troubleshoot equipment or software issues, and make sound decisions under time constraints.

Teamwork

Collaborate with hosts, producers, editors, faculty, staff, and student workers to deliver consistent, high quality programming.

Professionalism

Arrive prepared and on time, handle equipment and unpublished content responsibly, follow

production protocols, and meet deadlines.

Leadership

Take ownership of technical operations, anticipate needs, improve workflows, and help train or

guide other student team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Stephens College student in good academic and conduct standing.
• Demonstrated interest in podcasting, broadcasting, audio/video production, communications, digital media, theatre technology, music production, marketing, or a related field.
• Basic familiarity with microphones, cameras, lighting, recording or editing software, or a strong willingness to learn quickly.
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-focused during live or time-sensitive productions.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and ability to protect confidential or unpublished material.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, communicate clearly, and occasionally move production equipment weighing up to 25 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with podcast, radio, livestream, video, photography, theatre, music, or event-production equipment.
• Familiarity with software such as Adobe Audition, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Audacity, GarageBand, OBS, Riverside, or similar platforms.
• Experience with multicamera production, audio mixing, captioning, file-management systems, or content-publishing workflows.