POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Chief Radio Engineer
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5081
GRADE 35
CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR General Manager, Radio
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Director of Broadcast Services
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Chief Radio Engineer has primary responsibility for the technical operation of the Ozarks Public Radio network of stations and translators, maintaining all its equipment, ensuring compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) technical operation rules and regulations at all times, and maintaining around-the-clock broadcast capability. The Chief Radio Engineer supervises the administration and operation of radio station computers and networking systems and responds to or assigns a qualified technician to respond to technical emergencies on a twenty-four hour basis.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A high school diploma plus completion of an accredited course of study in electronics or an Associate's degree in Electronics is required. A Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Electronics is preferred.
Experience: At least three years of experience as a public radio or commercial radio station engineer is required.
Skills: Mechanical skills in the use of small hand tools such as saws, drills, soldering irons; and the ability to install, operate, and repair various standard test equipment and a wide range of audio control equipment is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Effort: Must be able to lift and carry materials and equipment weighing 50-100 pounds.
License: Must hold a Federal Communications Commission General Class permit or Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) certification. Must have a valid Missouri driver's license.
Other: The scope of the position requires the Chief Radio Engineer to respond to equipment problems and outages around-the-clock.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures that Ozarks Public Radio and its network of stations and translators is in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations regarding technical operations at all times, thus protecting the license and financial resources of the station, by overseeing the review of the station's operations and maintenance logs, scheduling regular on-site transmitter inspections, and performing regular reviews of station operations to keep them up-to-date with current FCC policies.
2. Maintains the technical operations of Ozark Public Radio by overseeing the maintenance of all recording and playback equipment, receivers and transmitters, on-air and studio audio mixing equipment, and audio reproduction equipment, overseeing the software and hardware maintenance of automation computer, audio automation and control equipment, and calibration of remote instrumentation, and monitoring and measuring station audio signals for both FCC technical requirements and highest possible audio quality.
3. Provides the resources necessary to maintain the technical operations of Ozarks Public Radio by organizing the writing of operation manuals for all professional staff and student operators and keeping a library of all technical manuals and data manuals for equipment and components used.
4. Promotes and practices strategies of preventive maintenance, thus ensuring around-the-clock broadcasting capability for the Ozarks Public Radio network of stations and translators, by periodically testing all backup equipment including transmitters, generators, transfer switches and remote controls, knowing how to operate all test equipment needed to troubleshoot and maintain station technical operations, and responding to or assigning a qualified technician to respond to technical emergencies on a twenty-four hour basis.
5. Facilitates the purchase and installation of new equipment by researching new equipment and writing bid specifications, installing or supervising the installation of new equipment, engaging in process improvement by identifying operations problems that have technical solutions and finding existing devices or designing and building devices as solutions, and inspecting and making recommendations for possible new locations for better operations.
6. Supervises radio station computer and network operations by researching and selecting software and hardware for in-house use, learning its use, and facilitating staff instruction on its use, overseeing any programming and network administration necessary for efficient use of software and hardware, and trouble-shooting computer and networking problems and resolving them on site or sending the equipment out to be repaired by commercial vendors.
7. Assists in the administration of the Ozarks Public Radio by reviewing and/or filing all engineering related documents required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio or other governmental agencies; maintaining and reviewing station records such as FCC required logs and other records as indicated by broadcast engineering best-practices.
8. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
9. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the General Manager-Radio.
10. Contributes to the overall success of Ozarks Public Radio by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Chief Radio Engineer is supervised by the General Manager-Radio and supervises the Senior Broadcast Engineer-Radio and contract employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2017
