Broadcast Studio Operator & Engineer

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Pay Range: $60,300.00 - $90,500.00

Job Description

What You'll Do:

The Broadcast Studio Operator & Engineer is essential in ensuring the seamless operation of our broadcast productions, handling both show direction, technical direction and engineering responsibilities. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and capable of working under tight deadlines in a live production environment. The candidate will be responsible for the technical quality of a broadcast by operating equipment, switching cameras, inserting graphics, dialing in remote presenters, and taking broadcasts live online. They will also be responsible for the operation, management, and upkeep of all gear in our studio including inventory, maintenance, purchasing, and assembly.

• Oversee the technical execution of live broadcasts, live events, podcasts, and multi-camera recordings.  

• Capable of show directing and technical directing simultaneously when needed.

• Operate Blackmagic Design ATEM video switchers to switch between cameras, graphics, and other video sources to create the visual flow of the program. 

• Execute live digital effects, transitions, and inserts of pre-recorded videos, graphics, and lower thirds using Blackmagic ATEM Control, Qlab, PowerPoint, and Adobe Illustrator software.

• Monitor and adjust video and audio levels to maintain broadcast quality.  

• Understand the Blackmagic Design routing system to ensure all video sources are sent to their correct destinations.

• Coordinate with producers, directors, and crew to ensure smooth production workflows.  

• Train and mentor production staff on the use of broadcast equipment.  

• Lead setup and takedown of all gear for live events and broadcasts at hotels and event centers.

• Stay on top of current trends and technology in broadcasting and know how to integrate it into our workspace.

• Work with vendors and technical teams to integrate new broadcast technologies.  

• Install and maintain production switchers, video servers, graphics systems, and routing equipment using both fiber and SDI cabling.  

• Troubleshoot and repair technical issues with video, audio, and transmission systems including cameras, microphones, receivers, lights, switchers, routers, cabling, network switches, computers, and other rack-mounted gear.

• Manage and update the configuration of studio and control room equipment.  

• Perform regular maintenance and software updates on production systems.  

• Provide technical support for studio, control room, and remote productions.  

• Document and maintain logs of maintenance activities and technical issues. 

• Establish best practices for running broadcasts, podcast recordings, multi-cam recordings, and live events.

• Assist other departments as directed, including videographers, graphic artists, audio engineers and A/V.

• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities.  The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities You'll Need to Be Successful:

• Proven ability to produce and lead vision for corporate broadcasts, podcasts, video production, and live events.

• Working knowledge of video switchers, routers, cameras, graphics systems, and other broadcast production equipment. 

• Working knowledge of signal flow, automation systems, signal distribution, networking protocols.  and internet-based broadcasting. 

• Working knowledge of Blackmagic ATEM Software Control, Blackmagic Web Presenter, Blackmagic Videohub,

• Working knowledge of motion-graphic implementation within Blackmagic Design ATEM Software ranging from lower thirds to animations and stingers.

• Understanding of visual effects techniques used in a live environment such as chromakey, blue and green screen removal, and upstream and downstream keying. 

• Proficient in run-of-show software such as Rundown Creator or comparable.

• Proficient with live video, audio, and graphic play-back software such as QLab, PowerPoint or comparable.

• Proficient in remote presenter platforms such as WebEx, Zoom, Streamyard, and others.

• Proficient in RTMP streaming with platforms such as Vimeo, Streamyard, LinkedIn Live, Facebook, and Youtube.

• Proficient in project-management software such as Asana, Jira, Basecamp, ClickUp, or comparable. 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel, Sharepoint and PowerPoint.

• Proficient in troubleshooting and repairing broadcast systems. 

• Ability to continually learn and adapt in a constantly evolving media environment.

• High-level problem solving, high attention to detail, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

• Strong leadership skills; acts as a trusted advisor to team members, peers and business partners.

• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced team environment. Critical thinking and strategic prioritization skills are mandatory.

• Strong time management and organization skills with experience balancing a high volume of projects at a time.

• Aptitude for finding creative solutions to complex problems. Must work well within a collaborative environment.

• Self-motivated with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, ability to exhibit diplomacy and decisiveness.

• Foster and maintain good relationships with internal and external customers and/or partners.

• A demonstrated positive, solution-oriented approach to unifying and motivating project teams.

• Comfortable with ambiguity and the ability to pivot in new directions based on the changing needs of the organization, team members, clients, and partners.

• Experienced in directing shows at venues out of state. Available and willing to travel for up to 20% of the working year.

• Committed to excellence in every aspect of their work.

• Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Communications, Electrical Engineering or a related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in live production, technical directing, and broadcast engineering. 

• 5+ years of experience with industry software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Blackmagic Design. 

• Certifications such as SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers) or CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) are a plus. 

Experience in lieu of education:

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements.  Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.