Broadcast Engineer, KUFM

Staff Vacancy Announcement

KUFM invites applications for a Broadcast Engineer to join their team. Under the supervision of the Technical Director of the Broadcast Media Center (BMC) and the Director of the School of Journalism (SOJ), this position is responsible for the proper operation of all engineering and technical aspects of the television and radio studios and production environments. This includes electronic, electrical, and mechanical equipment, as well as assisting with the HDTV and FM transmitters according to broadcast engineering best practices and FCC regulations. This position will 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 problems.

The Broadcast Engineer is responsible for maintaining and repairing BMC MontanaPBS and Montana Public Radio (MTPR) and SOJ audio, video and broadcast field and studio equipment, and provides technical and production support for MontanaPBS, MTPR and SOJ academic and broadcast production activities, both in the studio and at remote locations, and performing related duties as required. This position will also oversee the work done by contract engineers (for project installations and repairs), student workers, and engineering internship positions.

The Employees of the BMC and SOJ at the University of Montana (UM) 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.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Maintain and repair BMC and SOJ field and studio, audio and video equipment according to industry standards and broadcast engineering best practices
• Diagnose and repair broken or malfunctioning equipment, 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, SOJ 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
• 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
• 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, MTPR and the SOJ producers, 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, SOJ 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 SOJ and 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
• Work with SOJ technology committee to plan for and budget for repairs, replacement and upgrades.
• Supervise contractors in SOJ and BMC broadcast facilities projects
• Successfully complete other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or needed
• Travel to and from geographically challenging and remote sites via 4WD vehicle, snowmobile, and snowshoes
• Perform duties safely following OSHA standards

After a reasonable training period, the incumbent will have a deep understanding of, and ability to support the SOJ and BMC facilities and program flows inside each, and transport between the SOJ and BMC facilities, and between the SOJ, BMC and MontanaPBS facilities at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman.

Required Skills

• 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.
• 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
• Intermediate 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.
• 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
• Basic skill with general and specialized computer word processing, spread sheets and drawing programs.
• Must currently possess or be eligible to obtain a valid Montana driver’s license by start date and possess an acceptable driving record (less than 10 points).
• Excellent people skills, effective and professional communication with fellow employees, students and the public in person, via email and over the phone
• Time management skills, an attention to detail, and the ability to multitask and consistently exercise initiative with limited supervision
• Ability to work independently as well as working efficiently in a team-oriented environment with engineering and technical staff

Physical Requirements

(Qualified candidates must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform the primary functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.) (FROM FJD, “Critical Physical Demands”)

• Must be able to lift up to 75 lbs.; travel and work in extreme weather conditions; hike (and/or ski) to remote sites; reach, climb, crouch, balance, twist, crawl, and kneel; ability to operate snowmobiles, 4WD trucks and tow a trailer safely; ability to travel to and from remote sites safely under all weather conditions at all times of day; work under stressful circumstances in all weather conditions.

Physical Screen will be administered prior to a final offer of employment .

Minimum Required Experience

• Two (2) years of post-secondary technical training specializing in broadcast engineering, information technology, electronic communications

OR

• Closely related field plus three (3) years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in one of the above fields or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

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 & 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 the Broadcast Media Center and UM

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 the University of Montana 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. Several BMC staff members hold adjunct professorships with R-TV.

The School of Journalism is one of the oldest accredited journalism programs in the United States. The School of Journalism blends a rich history with today's technology. Founded in 1914, the J-School started in Army tents pitched on the Oval. Since 2007, the School of Journalism has called Don Anderson Hall home. Don Anderson Hall has television studios, newsrooms, a production control room, audio studios and the Montana Kaimin, the independent student newspaper. There are connections to MontanaPBS, Montana Public Radio and KBGA-FM College Radio. The School of Journalism is a professional school where students learn by doing. Professors have all had successful careers in the news media and continue to stay current with the fast-changing media world. The School of Journalism provides journalism education for students who want to work in print, online, photo and broadcast journalism. Broadcast students produce several radio, television and online segments and programs that air on commercial and public radio and television stations.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 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 University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

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.

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

• University of Montana
• Video: Mission First, People Always
• UM on YouTube

Position Details

Position Title: Electronic Equip Tech II

Position Number: 091900

Department: Broadcast Media Center

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year

Salary: $23.778/hr –Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, 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. Employment 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).


How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Sunday, May 15, 2022 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

*Please note, only five (5) attachments allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular