Part-Time Broadcast Engineer

The Part-Time Broadcast Engineer is responsible for the monitoring and operation of all New York Public Radio (NYPR) on-air broadcast and studio systems, while ensuring our high standards of air product continuity and over-the-air service to the NYPR listening audience. As the Part-Time Broadcast Engineer, you will use your experience and knowledge to resolve all Broadcast related technical issues from the Master Control position in NYC.

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Engineering - Studio Technical Operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operate control rooms, production rooms and transmitter site equipment.

Production work includes: 

• Recording and editing programs for air
• Preparing audio segments for web stream and podcasts
• Operating the console for live broadcast using SAS control surfaces and DAVID broadcast automation systems software
• Monitoring live broadcasts and playout systems using Axia air status panel, DAVID and NexGen automation system, Auto Pilot transmitter remote control software. 

Perform all functions related to operating equipment associated with Radio Master Control, this includes: 

• Routing audio
• Ingest recording
• Audio editing
• ISDN and IP codec
• Emergency bypass router
• Release path switcher
• Axia air status panel, monitoring and operating transmitter remote controls software, issuing EAS tests and logging transmitter readings.
• Provide operational assistance to Programming, News, and Traffic Departments and assist non-technical users with technical issues to minimize recovery time from system failures to be accurate, quick and efficient.
• Keep appropriate people informed during station emergencies and outages.
• Report incidents to off air email groups (Off -Air, Listener Services, on-call staff, and Engineering Maintenance).
• Monitor all NYPR transmitter signals and web streams to ensure uninterrupted air signal.
• Train in the standard operating procedure for MCEOD (Master Control Engineer on Duty) and learn in-depth knowledge of NYPR technical facilities, on-call staff and technical departments. Especially as these relate to Radio Master Control operations: transmitter switching procedure, off-air reporting and policies, transmitter logs and EAS documentations, technical difficulty procedure and contacts to call for resolution if a technical problem is outside your area of expertise.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 1 year of Radio Master Control experience or related technical broadcast engineering environment
• Knowledge of FCC rules regarding AM and FM transmission and demonstrated experience with with standard audio engineering practices
• Recording or broadcast studio and technology experience and an understanding of radio broadcast production and operation
• Familiarity with digital audio editing software practices
• Ability to manage and prioritize work and remain calm in stressful and fast paced situations.
• Ability to provide clear and concise communication to management, co-workers and external contacts and to work with minimal supervision with these stakeholders
• Ability to make quick decisions and recover from technical problems promptly
• Affinity for New York Public Radio: WNYC and/or WQXR content and mission a plus.
• Must be willing and able to work weekend, holiday and overnight shifts

Additional Information

This is a permanent, part-time role with 16 hours scheduled per week (Saturday & Sunday 5am-1pm) plus an opportunity to provide backfill for other engineers when needed.

This is a permanent, part-time non-exempt role with an hourly rate of $30.2808-$35.7143. Compensation offered within this range is determined by skills, experience and organizational pay equity. This role includes pro-rated time off benefits including holidays, sick and vacation time. This role requires some weekend, holiday and overnight shifts.

This role is regularly scheduled to work on-site. Given this, being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is required unless NYPR has approved a specific religious or medical exemption in advance of the first day of work. At this time, NYPR defines being fully vaccinated as having received two Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations or one Johnson and Johnson vaccination.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between New York Public Radio and SAG-AFTRA, and the union title for this role is Digital Audio Network Engineer.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At New York Public Radio diversity, equity, and inclusion is more than a strategy or an initiative; it is an organizational mindset that is reinforced every day. Ultimately, we strive to place our employees at the center of our thinking and pursue inclusive strategies to support and encourage them and create a more engaged, committed, and productive workforce. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are especially important to us as a media organization because a diverse workforce allows us to report with perspective and insight, and deliver a variety of content reflecting the diverse population we serve in New York City and beyond. We believe that diversity is essential to honest, authentic, accurate storytelling and reportage; creating an inclusive workplace in which all voices are encouraged and heard is a core part of our values as an organization. 

Equal Opportunity

New York Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions without regard to mental or physical disability, race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any protected federal, state or local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved. 
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