Broadcast IT Engineer

General Information

Position Number 002173 Vacancy Open to All Candidates Working Title Broadcast IT Engineer Position Designation EHRA Non-Faculty Employment Type Permanent - Full-time Months per Year 12 Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00. Position requires 24-hour on-call status and various operating shifts including minimal weekends and holidays. Additional hours may be required.
Hours per week 40 FLSA Status Exempt Division University Advancement Department University Communications (Adm) Work Location Atkins Library Salary Range $76,088 - $106,663 Primary Purpose of Department
The mission of the department of Visual Communications is to provide video services that promote public image, engage Alumni and support research initiatives in a timely and cost effective manner in accordance with and in furtherance of the University's mission.

The vision of the department of Visual Communications is to be the recognized leader in video development, social media communications, and delivery in the academic community while valuing and training each employee, expanding video programming, continually improving operations, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Primary Purpose of Position
The Broadcast IT Engineer is responsible for managing the department in the Senior Director's absence and supervising the Program Director for cable operations and UPIP student staff. The job is a specialized position with skills in supervision, project management, field production, electrical engineering, broadcast technology, computer engineering, and information technology that support the creation and transmission of television and radio productions. Specialized video/audio and RF engineering are essential parts of broadcast engineering, being their own subsets of electrical engineering. This engineering position involves field acquisition, studio production, and transmission aspects including remote broadcast technology from standard baseband video to bonded cellular.
Summary of Position Responsibilities
Summary of Position Responsibilities:

The Broadcast IT Engineer will manage technology strategy and day-to-day operations performing system design, integration, and maintenance for core infrastructure, studios, control rooms, post-production, and transmission for all live and pre-recorded programming including Cable TV and Social Media. The position will oversee the operations and maintenance functions of technical personnel, equipment, infrastructure, and building facilities to ensure a smooth and efficient operation for broadcast, production, and NexGen endeavors. The Broadcast IT Engineer will also assist the technology team in the development of long-term goals and action plans to ensure smooth implementations of new technologies to meet University-wide goals.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Broadcast infrastructure design, integration, maintenance, and operation. Extending production abilities to remote sites as necessary in areas such as Dejero, LiveU, and fiber transmission.
• Verify that all content is available and ready to air, maintain required logs, and uphold station standards and FCC compliance by monitoring the station's technical performance.
• Creates and manages the scope of work for all engineering projects.
• Interface with system integrators and vendors on system design, installation, commissioning, and repairs. Responsible for managing build-outs and infrastructure upgrades.
• Manage the engineering and operational logistics during project integration by providing transitional plans that will incorporate the new system while maintaining existing operations.
• Responsible for broadcast infrastructure redesigns and upgrades which include integrating new equipment into the existing system, software and firmware updates, and documentation revisions.
• Manage CableTV staff and students, including hiring, developing, scheduling, and task management of assigned TV channel engineering staff.
• Develop strong working relationships with other Company engineering staff and business leaders such as UNC -TV, The Government Channel, and local broadcast stations.
• Oversee and maintain broadcast and production infrastructures. Including but not limited to: Control Rooms/Remote Transmission, Master Control, Ingest and acquisition, Edit Suites, Studio, Equipment Center, and Field Equipment.
• Responsible for short/medium/long term forecasting and budget proposals for new projects and replacement of current equipment.
• Track, manage, and advise management on departmental expenses.
• Manage the performance of direct reports.
• Approve, read, and maintain system documentation as well as review documentation submitted by all technical personnel.
• Analyze and fix technical faults on equipment and systems to the module level.
• Hands-on role that will lead, assign, train, schedule, and oversee the work and performance of others.
• Manage on-air television signals and encoding platforms.
• Support satellite downlink systems bonded cellular transmission and streaming appliances, and perform regular maintenance on systems.
• Respond to and investigate network distribution technical trouble ticket submissions with local cable providers and distribution partners.
• Maintain technical database and connectivity maps involving all video feeds.
• Participate in system development tasks: research, design, integration, administration, and testing.
• Maintain backup power systems and perform monthly system checks.
• Configure and operate video switchers, and router panels, routing video and audio signals, file servers, multi-channel automation systems, and all related broadcast equipment.
• Must also have experience with computer automation systems, television satellite systems, VTRs, server-based ingest and playback systems, Microsoft Office products, and file-based ingest and playback servers.
• Live-on air switching.
• Server-based distribution management.
• Maintain on-air programming, as well as tune in satellite feeds.
• Proficiency with computer servers and customized high-bandwidth video networks.
• Experience with fiber connectivity, production setups, A/V routing and patching, audio equipment, graphics systems, and editing systems.
• Experience with digital transmitters, microwave equipment, and other broadcast-related equipment.
• Significant experience evaluating, selecting, installing, servicing, and maintaining broadcasting industry equipment and information technology systems.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Maintains automation systems, and production equipment including production switcher, play-out servers, graphics devices, lighting systems, on-air graphics and video displays, audio consoles, microphones, and IFBs.
• Maintains cinematography equipment including cinema cameras, field gear, editing systems, and support devices.
• Maintains support equipment including master and sub-switchers, monitors, servers, computer systems, microphones, and intercoms.
• Conducts troubleshooting, installation, research, documentation, and cabling tasks.
• A high-stress environment with deadline pressures.
• The position may include weekends, holidays, and overnight hours.
• The position must be dependable and detail-oriented.
• The position must communicate effectively and work well with others.
• The position must be able to follow instructions with minimal supervision.
• The position must have knowledge of computers and an aptitude for operating electronic equipment.
• The position requires 24-hour on-call status and various operating shifts including weekends and holidays.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of full-time experience in the technical operation, maintenance, and repair of broadcast equipment, including live event experience in a technical broadcast control room and/or multiple camera operations.
• Understanding of IP-based transport of audio/video signals for broadcast television support and communications.
• Knowledge of technical support for live events, including operational aspects of routing systems, broadcast camera setups, television graphics support, and general control room operations.
• Ability to manage control room setup and operational status for live broadcasts.
• Strong background in audio production and working with different manufacturers' equipment.
• Strong understanding of Audio over IP technology and architecture.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and maintain television broadcast equipment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to install and maintain computer systems and network equipment.
• Self-starter, able to work efficiently without direct supervision.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Expert-level knowledge of current and next-generation digital television architecture, equipment, and standards including video-over-IP, encoders, decoders, distribution, routing, switching, recording & playback, etc.
• Ability to use AutoCAD for wiring and design.
• Knowledge of FCC regulations for Class-A television broadcast operations including logging requirements, EAS and closed captioning, ATSC /53 specifications, etc.
• Knowledge of Radio Frequency microwave technologies and standards including BAS and Part 101
• Strong IT skills including TCP /IP networking concepts and equipment, storage systems, redundant computer system concepts, administration, etc.
• Excellent verbal, written, and people skills.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Interact with management and staff at all levels.
• Experience with large-scale UPS and HVAC systems in a broadcast plant is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of applicable FCC rules and regulations.
• Computer literacy in applicable software packages (Microsoft OS and Office Suite, radio and television automation, etc.).
• Working knowledge of computer networking technology.
• Ability to troubleshoot broadcast equipment to the component level.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair cable TV and RF transmitting facilities.
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite and Avid software/hardware products is a plus.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of generators and UPS systems.
• Ability to read and interpret design documentation, including elevations, connection drawings, and schematics.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at varying distances.
• Experience in a broadcast television environment as a staff member, with technical operational support for live broadcasts.
• Experience working in a broadcast crew scenario, collaborating with television directors and producers.
• Five years of experience supporting live multi-camera events.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses Preferred Certifications/Licenses

• SMPTE or SBE certifications, vendor certifications, and Cisco certifications.
• Strong IT-based skills, networking, and IP video distribution infrastructure, with knowledge of SMPTE 2110 and SMPTE 2022 beneficial.

Special Notes to Applicants

• The position requires event coverage and television production as assigned, including occasional nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs., climb ladders and work on elevated surfaces, pull and install wiring, use hand and power tools, work on small components, and perform other physical tasks.
• Travel is required for minimal event coverage.
• Please upload reference information including names, position titles and company/institutions, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least two current/previous supervisors. at least two current/previous supervisors. The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist .
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/
• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report.

Posting Open Date 09/05/2024 Posting Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Proposed Hire Date If time-limited please indicate appointment end date Contact Information