Media Center Specialist

Title: Media Center Specialist (Part Time 0.4 FTE)
Department: Media / Library & Fine Arts
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Assistant Principal and Department Chair of Fine Arts
Supervises: Assist in the supervision of students and paraprofessionals.
Location: Deerfield High School
Salary: As a licensed position, the pay is based on our salary schedule, Appendix C in DEA Agreement

Summary:

The Media Center Specialist is responsible for managing all aspects of the High School Media Center, including oversight of video production operations, equipment management, staff and student training, and the creation of promotional and instructional media content for the school community. This position serves as the primary resource for media production services, supporting both curricular and administrative video needs while maintaining a professional, student-centered learning environment.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Media Production, Broadcasting, Communications, or related field
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with appropriate endorsements, required.
• License registered with Lake County ROE 34, required.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in video production, broadcasting, or media education
• Demonstrated expertise in video production from pre-production through post-production
• Proficiency with professional camera equipment and videography techniques
• Advanced video editing skills with industry-standard software
• Experience supervising staff and/or student workers
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent projects
• Must teach/sponsor school TV course/extracurricular

Preferred

• Experience working in an educational environment, particularly high school, preferred
• Knowledge and proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Audition)
• Live production and streaming experience (broadcast or live events)
• Studio lighting, audio engineering, and grip experience
• Experience with broadcast journalism or school media programs
• Photography and graphic design skills
• Knowledge of copyright, fair use, and media ethics in educational settings
• Spanish-speaking ability
• Experience with Learning Management Systems and educational technology integration
• Familiarity with social media content creation and digital marketing

Essential Functions:

The criteria indicated below are intended to describe various types of work that may be performed. The exclusion of specific responsibilities does not prohibit them if the work is similar, related, or a logical task of the position.

Media Center Specialist

Media Center Operations & Management

• Oversee daily operations of the Media Center, ensuring efficient scheduling and resource allocation
• Collaborate with the Assistant Principal to help manage Media Center budget, equipment purchases, and inventory control
• Implement procedures for media center usage, equipment checkout, and safety protocols
• Coordinate scheduling of the media center studio for classes, student projects, and school productions
• Maintain equipment in working order and coordinate repairs or replacements as needed
• Ensure compliance with copyright laws, fair use guidelines, and district policies
• Keep current with emerging media technologies and recommend upgrades or additions
• Apply an equity lens to all departmental policies, ensuring that processes are inclusive and accessible to diverse stakeholders.
• Identify and address racial disparities as the Media Center Specialist and advocate for anti-racist strategies in long-term planning.
• Navigate complex cross-cultural dynamics with humility and a commitment to understanding perspectives outside of one’s own lived experience.

Support & Training

• Provide direction to Media Center Teacher Aide(s)
• Train and mentor students in proper equipment usage, production techniques, and media literacy
• Provide professional development and technical support to faculty using Media Center resources
• Develop and deliver instructional sessions on video production, editing, and related skills
• Foster a positive, inclusive learning environment for all users

Video Production & Content Creation

• Plan, shoot, and edit high-quality video content for administrative purposes, including:
• School promotional videos and recruitment materials
• Open house and event coverage
• Administrative presentations and communications
• Produce and manage content for the school's television program
• Document athletics, fine arts performances, academic events, and school activities
• Create promotional materials, graphics, and multimedia content for various school initiatives
• Develop and maintain the school's video archive and media library
• Collaborate with administration to support their communication and marketing goals

Instructional Support

• Support teachers in integrating media production into curriculum
• Assist students with class-based video projects and assignments
• Provide technical assistance for classroom presentations
• Facilitate student access to media equipment and software for academic purposes

Live Production & Events

• Plan and support media/filming coverage of some school events, including athletics, activities, and other events, as requested
• Coordinate complex multi-camera productions and broadcasts
• Train and supervise students for productions
• Troubleshoot technical issues in real-time during events
• Work evenings and weekends as needed for event coverage

Collaboration & Communication

• Build positive relationships with students, staff, administrators, and community members
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders regarding media services and capabilities
• Represent the media center at school and district events
• Maintain professional relationships with external vendors and service providers

Visual Arts Teacher

• Design flexible, innovative lessons that address diverse learning styles and incorporate new teaching strategies and technologies.
• Teach assigned classes at scheduled times and locations.
• Plan and implement curriculum aligned with district standards that meets the needs, interests, and abilities of students.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies and media appropriate for individual students and groups.
• Establish and maintain a classroom environment that supports learning and reflects students’ maturity and interests.
• Develop and consistently enforce fair classroom rules and procedures aligned with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Set clear learning objectives aligned to curriculum goals and communicate them to students.
• Assess student learning regularly and provide progress reports as required.
• Collaborate with school staff to identify and support students with specialized needs.
• Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with district policies and legal requirements.
• Support and implement school policies and expectations related to student conduct.
• Be available to students and families for education-related communication and support.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning to maintain and strengthen professional practice.
• Participate in staff meetings and serve on committees as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the building administrator.

Language Skills

Communicates clearly both in oral and written format with all constituents of the District 113 community. Effectively present information and respond to questions from constituency groups. Apply knowledge of current research and theory in a specific field. Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Mathematical and Technical Skills

Calculate figures, estimates, proportions, percentages, and cost projections. Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Strong technology skills, including standard Microsoft Office suite / Google Workspace, financial management, and data analysis. .

Reasoning Ability

Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Interpret an extensive variety of verbal and written instructions and deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables.

Contacts Outside Your Own Department:

Build positive relationships with constituents of the District 113 community that includes, teachers, school staff, administrative team, Board of Education, guardians, students, and private providers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, write, type, speak, listen, and taste or smell.
• The employee is regularly required to communicate with staff and others.
• The employee is frequently required to use hands and/or fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls.
• The employee may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach or crawl. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as boxes of books and AV equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision,depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Specific psychological demands of this job include the ability to remain calm under stress levels associated with job demands, along with constant contact with students, colleagues and the public.

Working Conditions:

• In the work environment, this role is regularly exposed to office environmental conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with regular exposure to loud classrooms, hallways, cafeterias or sports venues.
• The employee is regularly required to meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with the public and staff in addition to meeting multiple demands from several people.
• The employee is frequently required to work irregular or extended work hours, which may include evenings or weekends.

Safety:

As a part of the District workforce, this role is responsible for being aware of, modeling and contributing to the maintenance and implementation of all District safety policies and procedures. The role is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.

Required to:

• Use good safety awareness and judgment
• Follow policies
• Report potentially unsafe conditions
• Follow manufacturer safety instructions when using equipment
• Follow agency ergonomic policies and procedures

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.