Network Operations Manager

Job ID: 33662

Agency: Bureau of Information and Technology

Location: Vermillion, SD

Salary: $29.02-$36.28 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: 05

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Bureau of Information and Technology's South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB). For more information on the Bureau of Information and Technology (SDPB), please visit https://www.sdpb.org/ .

The Network Operations Manager oversees the 24/7 operation of South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s statewide television and radio broadcast network. This position ensures continuous, reliable delivery of broadcast and streaming services across nine digital television stations, twelve FM radio stations, multiple translators, and over 1,500 miles of microwave interconnection.

The manager leads the Network Operations Center (NOC) staff responsible for monitoring signal integrity, transmitter control, tower lighting compliance, and remote site security. This role serves as the operational bridge between the engineering, IT, and production divisions to maintain system performance, compliance with FCC/FAA regulations, and public safety readiness through EAS/IPAWS alerting systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the statewide Network Operations Center, ensuring 24/7/365 coverage and response readiness.
• Supervise and schedule NOC technicians; provide technical direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain continuity of television, radio, and digital signal paths across broadcast and IP transport systems.
• Oversee tower lighting monitoring, transmitter control, and automated alarm systems to maintain FCC and FAA compliance.
• Coordinate incident response to equipment outages, power failures, or microwave path issues; initiate escalation procedures when required.
• Manage EAS and IPAWS system monitoring, activation, and logging in compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Collaborate with field engineering and IT staff to implement upgrades, repairs, and new integrations across RF and IP-based systems.
• Maintain operational documentation, maintenance records, and technical compliance reports.
• Oversee vendor service agreements, preventive maintenance schedules, and annual budget planning for NOC operations.
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) and change-management practices.
• Lead technical readiness during severe weather, emergency alerts, and statewide broadcast events.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Electronics, IT/Telecommunications, Content Production or related field; or equivalent professional experience is preferred;
• a minimum 5 years’ experience in broadcast operations, transmission, or network management, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role is also preferred.

Working Knowledge Of

• ATSC 1.0/3.0 and FM/HD Radio transmission systems;
• RF signal path and STL/microwave systems;
• IP networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, VLAN, multicast, SNMP monitoring, VPN);
• MS Administrator skills or Cisco CCNA skills;
• EAS/IPAWS systems and FEMA CAP compliance;
• experience with remote control and automation platforms (Snell TV Automation, Audio Vault, Burk, Alcatel TSM);
• ability to read and interpret FCC, FAA rules and regulations, and technical manuals;
• strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills under pressure;
• excellent organizational and documentation abilities with attention to regulatory compliance.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=2QY

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"