Jobs - Positions Wanted

Assistant Director, Broadcast Operations

Help Wanted

WAMU 88.5 is Washington DC’s leading public radio station for NPR news and information. It’s our mission to connect Washingtonians with each other and the world through balanced, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining programs of the highest quality.  

The Assistant Director, Broadcast Operations supervises Traffic Operations and the Audio Engineering discipline at WAMU.  They ensure continuity in programming on WAMU 24/7/365 – from initial recording, post-production and live on-air support; to program scheduling and allocation of technical/traffic staff; to final broadcast or digital distribution.  They are the champion of maintaining high production quality throughout the WAMU broadcast operation in both recorded and live settings and ensures coverage of all audio production needs at the station.  

This is a hands-on management role responsible for leading others, reliable and accurate daily creation of the station log, and oversight of activities required to execute the log on-air. This position is ultimately responsible for the tools, people, and workflow necessary to support strong continuity and smooth operation in log preparation, audio production, and seamless integration of local and network-originated programming across WAMU.

This position reports directly to the Senior Director, Technology Operations. Collectively this team supports the logistics of executing the minute-by-minute broadcast day of WAMU – 24/7/365.  

The Assistant Director, Broadcast Operations is the leader of the Audio Engineering discipline at WAMU and will lead their team in the creation and enforcement of standards for audio production practices and effective workflow.  This position is expected to assess present processes, make recommendations, and implement change in consultation with coworkers within the Technology department.

This position is minimally supervised and is expected to work independently to lead the day-to-day operations of audio production, traffic log creation, and studio/personnel scheduling collaboratively across the broader Technology department, interfacing directly with other personnel within WAMU and externally, as required.

This position supervises six people as part of a larger department of about 20 people across all technology disciplines. The traffic function of this role is critical to the execution and subsequent billing of underwriting on the station, which in FY 2019 accounts for about $15 million of WAMU’s revenue.  This position is at the crossroads of all broadcast operational functions at WAMU and coordinates efforts across departmental lines, as needed, to ensure that correct content is broadcast 24/7/365.

What You'll Do:

• In collaboration with the Traffic Manager, ensures that a daily station log is produced for every day of the year. At times, this will require hands-on preparation of the log if the Traffic Manager requires additional help, particularly during peak periods prior to holidays, extended weekends, etc.
• Will ensure that all local and syndicated programming and on-air elements are appropriately scheduled and reconciled on a timely basis, including IDs, Emergency Alert System Tests, promotional and underwriting announcements, etc.
• Handles the scheduling, performance management, goal-setting, logistical coordination, and human resources needs of the Audio Engineers and the Traffic Manager.  
• Owns the entire lifecycle of underwriting announcements from initial scheduling to final reconciliation.
  Assumes a lead role in ensuring that requests for studio time, use of audio contribution links (codecs) are handled in a timely and effective manner.
• And much more!

Your Experience and Attributes:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• A minimum of four years of broadcast traffic experience; additional experience in audio production preferred. Must have working knowledge of workflows of a modern radio broadcast operation and an ability to innovate and lead others in their effective implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across an organization and represent the station appropriately to external clients and listeners, when needed.
• Must be able to work effectively with both technical and non-technical staff.
• Will be occasionally be required to develop training programs for non-technical staff and ensure effective implementation of systems through training and continual process refinement.
• This is a hands-on role that requires the ability to differentiate colors, hear sound and distinguish audio quality, type on a QWERTY keyboard or touch screen, effectively communicate with others using both written and spoken word.
• This person must have reliable means for getting to WAMU regardless of weather conditions.
• This position is frequently “on call” outside of business hours and will require an ability to respond remotely to changing programming needs and occasionally respond in person off-hours if the situation warrants.
• Familiarity with broadcast traffic and radio automation systems such as Wide Orbit, National Public Radio, its satellite system, and public broadcasting in general, is a plus.

For more information, please visit our career site.

Multimedia Engineer

Help Wanted

Fairfax County Public Schools has a full-time position for Multimedia Engineer at their Nancy Sprague Technology Center.  The job posting is pasted below and is available on their web site.

Description: Performs activities related to the design, integration, and support of digital, analog, and server based (streaming) video production and transmission systems divisionwide including school-based production facilities; supports operation and maintenance of the master control center, television studio, and digitally equipped mobile production van; and performs related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in electrical or broadcast engineering or a related field, plus five years of progressive video and data communications experience, three years of which shall have been in broadcast system operation and design. Demonstrated knowledge in analog and digital video system design, systems integration, networking, video compression, streaming, software-based control systems, satellite communications and computer aided design (CAD); and detailed knowledge of Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers standards.  Certifications in current technologies highly desirable. Can demonstrate knowledge of the theory, principals, and practices of engineering design and functional applications for all aspects of video and data network transport protocols; knowledge of industry standards of practice and regulations applicable to communications systems; and ability to incorporate state-of-the-art technologies applicable to transmission systems to optimize performance and efficiency.  Ability to write reports, specifications, service level agreements, contract maintenance documents, modify or create CAD documents, and formulate live cycle projections; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and sufficient strength, agility, and dexterity to move computer equipment and perform all required tasks.   

To Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the Fairfax County Public Schools web site.