North Country Public Radio (NCPR) - Chief Engineer

North Country Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, seeks a Chief Engineer to manage and maintain our network of 34 FM facilities (2 main stations, 14 repeaters and 18 translators) as well as our studio and radio automation equipment. We serve a large geographical area of New York State including the 1000 Islands region, the Adirondack Mountains, the St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys, and portions of Vermont, as well as southeastern Ontario and southern Quebec, Canada. The successful candidate will have a wide variety of technical skills and experiences in the broadcast engineering field and will become a valued member of a team at an award-winning station known nationally for innovation and excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and repair all technical equipment including studio and transmitter facilities, satellite downlink and microwave transmission systems
• Monitor and maintain full compliance with all pertinent FCC rules and regulations
• Oversee all engineering functions of the station, including planning of future equipment installations, requirements, and budgetary recommendations
• Manage and maintain transmission site leases
• Maintain station technical files, records, logs, licenses, permits, authorizations and other required documentation including timely filing of license renewal and FCC Public File documents in conjunction with station management
• Establish and ensure technical and technology standards and priorities for the organization
• Hire and supervise contract engineers as needed

NCPR’s home base, located in Canton, New York, offers many opportunities for enrichment through four local colleges and universities. The region offers easy access to both summer and winter sports and recreation. The cities of Montreal and Ottawa are nearby.

Compensation package (from our licensee, St. Lawrence University) includes excellent health insurance benefits, retirement plans, college tuition benefits for employees and their dependents, and access to the university’s fitness center. Indirect benefits include working with a dedicated and friendly staff, enthusiastic and supportive listeners, affordable housing in a welcoming and safe community, and living and working in a beautiful region.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in the maintenance, repair and design of broadcast audio systems and FM broadcast transmission systems
• Proficiency in designing, installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing broadcast audio, FM transmission, studio, automation and control systems
• Ability to understand and use schematics, flow charts and technical documentation
• Must be able to troubleshoot and repair broadcast equipment at the component level
• Experience with TCP/IP networking and IP-based digital audio systems
• Knowledge of FCC license and reporting requirements
• Valid driver’s license; position requires regular travel to remote transmitter sites
• Able to lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs., climb ladders, work on rooftops and in confined spaces Self-starter, must be able to work efficiently without direct supervision
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong problem solving and analytical skill
• Must possess a positive work attitude, a strong work ethic, and ability to work well with others
• Ability to prioritize and make changes to work plans without loss of efficiency
• Ability to make well-informed decisions quickly while under pressure
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and non-standard shifts in emergency situations as required
• Must have excellent vision (with or without corrective lenses) with ability to identify and distinguish colors

Preferred Qualifications

• SBE certification a plus

Interested applicants must apply online at http://employment.stlawu.edu uploading all required materials which are defined in the “special instructions to applicant” section.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the finalist successfully passing a background (including criminal records) check.

North Country Public Radio, licensed to St. Lawrence University, is committed to public service and sense of place for northern New York State. Through a network of 32 stations, NCPR reaches a huge geography including the St. Lawrence Valley, the Adirondacks, and the Champlain Valley. As a long-time leader in public radio, NCPR’s award-winning news team and station is known, nation-wide, for excellence. The 1000 Islands, the Adirondack Park region including Lake Placid, and the Canadian cities of Kingston, Ottawa and Montreal are all located nearby. NCPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Find us at https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/.