Immersive Technology Support Specialist

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

Please note that internal job postings are open only to current permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees and temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service.

Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Planning & Technology Deployment (IT), the Immersive Technology Support Specialist specializes in support for augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality, extended reality and audio/visual technology and events on campus. Working collaboratively with colleagues in Classroom Technology and the AV Help Desk, this position provides support to OCAD University (OCAD U) students and faculty in the use of headsets, projectors, sensors, scanners and other AR/VR/MR/XR and AV technologies. Working with the Technical Event Production Services (TEPS) team, the Support Specialist supports Special Events on and off campus, with a focus on virtual, augmented, immersive and mixed reality experiences. In collaboration with the Audio/Visual team and IT Services staff, work to improve and maximize the technology experience on campus for the OCAD U community.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary front-line immersive technology support, providing high-level technical support in AR, VR, MR, XR, motion-capture, immersive/Binaural Audio, and sensor-based interactive media for events, classroom technology support, audio/visual equipment loans, and technology support across campus
• Specialize in support for the onboarding of students and faculty to AR, VR, MR, XR technology, including setting-up hardware and software, providing necessary training, and ensuring seamless user experience
• Provide technical expertise, advising on industry-standard software, equipment, workflows, and processes
• Lead the installation, maintenance, and servicing of all relevant immersive technology and motion capture equipment
• Ensure the safety and efficiency of studio and classroom equipment and operations in compliance with health and safety regulations
• Support the deployment, maintenance and management of hardware and software resources, AR, VR, MR, XR & AV; the Support Specialist is familiar with popular augmented and virtual reality platforms including their hardware and software components, as well as their deployment and support considerations
• Working alongside the TEPS team, provide assistance and technical production services for OCAD U events and exhibitions including but not limited to, Orientation Days & Big Welcome, Nuit Blanche, President’s Town-hall, Festival of The Body, Ontario University Fair, Convocation and the annual Graduate Exhibition
• Assist TEPS team with Technical Exhibition support for on-going exhibitions & events within the OCAD U Gallery Exhibition Services System including the Graduate Gallery, Experimental Media Gallery, The Onsite professional Gallery, Ada Slaight Gallery, Ignite Gallery, The Great Hall and Open Gallery at 49 McCaul.
• Assist with set-up and provide installation services and technical support for on/off campus exhibitions and projects, with direction from TEPS Supervisor, including mounting or installation of technical equipment for large scale events or individual artist projects and exhibitions
• Create effective training materials in support of teaching others how to use and maintain AR/VR equipment, create and maintain documentation in the IT Services Support portal
• Carry out or coordinate the necessary maintenance tasks and cleaning tasks to guarantee that equipment meets user standards
• Address and troubleshoot unexpected issues and technical difficulties to minimize disruptions during productions
• Troubleshoot technical issues as needed, working closely with faculty and students to escalate any issues that require additional support
• Provide equipment circulation services including AV, computer, and digital equipment to authorized University personnel using the Web Checkout circulation system
• Use the IT Services Ticketing System and MS Planner to keep track of tasks and report on progress
• Working collaboratively with other IT Services and Academic Computing staff, assist with ongoing help desk, network or information systems related projects as delegated by the Manager, Strategic Planning & Technology Deployment (IT)
• Maintain currency in relevant technologies, including multimedia classroom technology, livestreaming technology, audio/visual, online collaboration, video conferencing, assistive technologies, operating systems, and computer hardware and knowledge of major video conferencing platforms (e.g. Teams, Zoom, etc.)
• Support change throughout the IT landscape; advocate, promote and support rollouts and upgrades to new and existing audio/visual services
• Support Manager, Strategic Planning & Technology Deployment in other related duties that contribute to the successful operation of IT Services

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in a creative or technical discipline or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Post-secondary degree in Art or Design is an asset
• A minimum of three (3) years of work or educational experience relating to AR/VR technical support or equivalent combination of work and education
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and strength in customer service
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment
• Experience supporting the deployment and troubleshooting of AR/VR/MR/XR equipment and hardware, and Windows related workstations with high-end graphics capabilities
• Experience in high-end PC gaming is an asset
• Experience troubleshooting and working with both Microsoft Windows and Macintosh based operating systems and their integration with audio/visual or digital presentation technologies
• Knowledge or experience working with the following technologies: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X; Android, IOS, Microsoft Office 365 including Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, Zoom, Word, and Excel; SharePoint; audio/visual systems; digital cameras; projectors; video conferencing
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
• Excellent oral, written communication skills and email etiquette
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; with the ability to exercise discretion regarding sensitive or confidential information as required
• Must be willing and able to work evening and weekend shifts, as required

Compensation: OPSEU Unit I, Appendix A, Grade A4; $57,486.45 to $75,566.13 per annum

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. This position is expected to begin June 1st, 2025.

Mode of Work: On-site

Interested internal permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 or temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) , no later than Monday May 5, 2025.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.

In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.