Senior Broadcast Engineer Broadcast Media Center

Profile

The Broadcast Media Center (BMC) and KUFM invites applications for a Senior Broadcast Engineer. The Senior Broadcast Engineer is responsible for the proper operation of all engineering and technical aspects of the television and radio studios and production environments including electronic, electrical, and mechanical equipment as well as assisting with the HDTV and FM transmitters according to broadcast engineering best practices and FCC regulations.

The Senior Broadcast Engineer is responsible for managing the Broadcast Engineer, and maintaining and repairing BMC Montana PBS and Montana Public Radio (MTPR) audio, video and broadcast field and studio equipment, and provides technical and production support for MontanaPBS and MTPR broadcast production activities, both in the studio and at remote locations; performing related duties as required. This position will supervise broadcast engineers, contract engineers for project installations and repairs, student employees, and engineering internship positions.

Employees of the BMC at the University of Montana work to build and maintain a work atmosphere of trust and respect by establishing open communication among team members, supervisors, administrators, students, viewers, and listeners. This work requires communicating professionally, positively, and effectively.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Maintain and repair BMC field and studio, audio & video equipment according to industry standards and broadcast engineering best practices

Diagnose and repair broken or malfunctioning equipment by researching trouble reports, analyzing performance characteristics with standard testing gear, isolating problem components and replacing them, to return equipment performance to professional broadcast standards and FCC regulations

Perform routine maintenance on equipment by following maintenance schedules, analyzing performance characteristics with standard test gear, cleaning and realigning components as needed to ensure proper equipment function

Purchase necessary technical supplies and minor equipment

Research and install upgrades to hardware, firmware, and software

Proactively identify potential issues and alert BMC Technical Director and Technical Team

Verify all repair, maintenance and installation work with final testing using established broadcast-specific performance tests

Install equipment components following system designs

Under the direction of the Technical Director, work as a member of the BMC Technical Team (Technical Director, Chief Operator, Broadcast Engineers, Network Administrator and Engineering Interns) on productions, projects, troubleshooting and repairing technical problem

In coordination with the rest of the BMC Technical Team, perform necessary satellite, microwave, studio equipment, and transmitter maintenance on a routine basis per FCC regulations, manufacturer’s recommendations, industry standards and broadcast engineering best practices

In coordination with the BMC Technical Team, provide coverage for critical job duties when other Technical Team members are on vacation, ill, responding to remote maintenance issues, or working on remote field productions

Provide technical assistance for studio, field and academic productions to MontanaPBS, and MTPR production staff, and students

Assist student productions to ensure content intended for broadcast meets industry standards and FCC regulations

Coordinate with BMC, BMC Network Administrator, School of Journalism and UM Information Technology Department for efficient use and integration of video, audio and computer systems.

Demonstrate understanding of all broadcasts related equipment in the BMC studio and production environments

Maintain knowledge of current trends in media production and delivery technologies to assist in strategic planning and make recommendations on new equipment for purchase to meet industry standards and engineering best practices

Expand and share knowledge of broadcast engineering best practices for HDTV and FM Radio for production, delivery and broadcast HDTV studio and field productions

Participate in strategic planning and make recommendations on new technologies, methods and equipment for purchase to meet industry standards and broadcast engineering best practices

Supervise broadcast engineer, student employees and engineering interns

Supervise contractors in BMC broadcast facilities projects

Successfully complete other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or needed

Perform duties safely following OSHA standards

Travel to and from geographically challenging and remote sites via 4WD vehicle, snowmobile, and snowshoes

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action

: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract Professional and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package

including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Salary for this position is $64,000-$72,000.

Required Skills

Excellent people skills, effective and professional communication with fellow employees, students, and the public in person, via email and over the phone

Skills needed for working in a constantly evolving high-tech, fast-paced, and challenging environment

Ability to read and interpret system block diagrams and schematic drawings

Ability to troubleshoot broadcast systems to component level

Ability to find problems and repair electronic circuitry to the part level

Ability to research, learn, adopt, and support new technologies

Ability to work independently as well as working efficiently in a team-oriented environment with engineering and technical staff

Demonstrated ability to diagnose and repair broadcast related equipment to component level

Demonstrated competence using general test equipment including multi-meters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.

Knowledge of HD SD-SDI quality control for video & audio level and timing

Demonstrated soldering and basic fabrication skills

Studio and remote live Digital TV and Radio production engineering experience

Familiarity with most technical aspects of a modern broadcast facility

Capability to perform work at all studio sites, remote production, and transmitter sites

Knowledge of TV studio equipment including HD digital video cameras, digital video switcher, digital video router, video server, intercom and recording devices

Knowledge of computer, networking and troubleshooting methods, management, and operation particularly as it pertains to non-linear video editing systems

Demonstrated competence with general and specialized computer word processing, spread sheets and drawing programs

Ability to lift equipment like servers and antenna, which requires mobility and physical demands

Ability to travel and work in extreme weather conditions; hike (and/or ski) to remote sites, which requires mobility and physical demands

Ability to reach, climb, crouch, balance, twist, crawl, and kneel, which requires mobility and physical demands

Ability to travel to and from remote sites safely under all weather conditions at all times of day, as well as work under stressful circumstances in all weather conditions

Required Qualifications

Four (4) years of post-secondary technical training specializing in broadcast engineering, information technology, electronic communications, or closely related field plus six (6) years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in one of the above fields or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

In-depth experience with digital television production and transport, audio and radio production, television and radio studio maintenance, as well as component level troubleshooting abilities.

Currently possess or be eligible to obtain a valid Montana driver’s license by start date

Preferred Qualifications

Certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE)

Demonstrated studio and remote live Digital TV production engineering experience

Demonstrated ability to handle all technical aspects of a modern broadcast facility

Demonstrated experience with audio/video routing systems

Demonstrated proficiency with computer networks and IT systems

Advanced soldering and fabrication skills

Ability to run, terminate and test video, audio, network and control cables

Ability to read and interpret system block diagrams and schematic drawings

Ability to mount and install various broadcast equipment

Ability to use and operate general test equipment including multi-meters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.

Ability to work independently as well as working efficiently in a group setting with engineering and technical staff

Demonstrated experience, skills & ability to access geographically challenging sites via 4WD vehicle, snowmobile, snowshoes

A solid understanding of computer and networking terminology and use.

About UM

and Broadcast Media Center

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

The Broadcast Media Center houses KUFM-TV and KUFM Radio. Both are 24-hour-a-day, professionally staffed, CPB-qualified stations, broadcasting as a public service of UM-Missoula. Both stations extend educational and culturally enriching programming: in radio to western and north-central Montana, and statewide in television through MontanaPBS, a collaborative service of UM and Montana State University. The center provides broadcast-quality video and audio production for campus departments on all the University of Montana campuses, as well as national, state and local government agencies.

Montana Public Radio enriches the mind and spirit, inspires a lifetime of learning, and connects communities through access to exceptional programming. Montana Public Radio has at its foundation the core values of independence, excellence integrity and innovation. We insist on meeting the highest standards of journalism with trustworthy, balanced and inclusive content. We balance a major commitment to locally produced programs with acquisition of national and international content.

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

University of Montana

Video: Mission First, People Always

UM on YouTube

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.

In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

References

*References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.

Testing

Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

E mployment Eligibility.

All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Company info

The University of Montana
Website : https://www.umt.edu