Under general direction of the Executive Producer of Dragon Digital Media, the Video Production Engineer provides leadership in the design, installation, maintenance, evaluation, monitoring and guidance of the television and radio production facilities and master control. The Engineer determines and directs the course of future technology selection and integration based on research and experiential knowledge. Responsible for maintenance of network and server systems and equipment performance, the Engineer oversees the technical integrity of the operating facilities (including the control room and studios) and equipment (including field production, postproduction, satellite and master control) to ensure a 24/7 operation.
General Responsibilities:
- Designs, installs, upgrades, repairs and maintains all systems and equipment in a fully networked production, post-production and cablecast facility.
- Troubleshoots all technical operation of TV and radio production facilities to ensure quality control of signal and equipment such as special effect generators, cameras, monitors, non-linear editors, cablecast master control, character generator, and servers.
- Upgrades and maintains complex server and software-based system for television and radio production, postproduction and on-air facilities, ensuring compatibility with existing equipment.
- Ensures that all equipment is well maintained and operating for all productions and works as a member of the production teams providing engineering support for studio, livestreaming, and field productions)
- Serves as primary liaison with the Howard Community College Office of Facilities and the Office of Information Technology on the maintenance of building systems, responding to facility outages, and implementing technical equipment to keep the station state of the art and in compliance with cybersecurity requirements connected to Dragon Digital Media.
- Recommends TV and radio equipment replacement and maintenance budgets with funds from Howard Community College and the Howard County PEG (Public, Education and Government) grant.
- Develops procedures for the maintenance and electronic integrity of all equipment in the television and radio facilities as well as master control.
- Provides training or schedules vendor-based training for staff on the operation of equipment.
- Prepares HCC bid specifications for all new equipment purchases, evaluates bids, and recommends awards.
- Operates and/or directs operation of equipment during the digital recording of studio and location productions in all formats. Writes and maintains all SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) documentation for facility equipment.
- Collaborates with the Digital Content and Traffic Manager to maintain and operate two PEG access channels.
- Writes and updates technical documentation of system design and as-built drawings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge Requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five years of broadcast engineering experience or equivalent combination of education and experience or a Combination of education, certificates, and experience, which includes three years of experience in a recognized video production facility or other related professional experience.
- Thorough knowledge of digital and analog television and radio electronic equipment including television and radio studios and related systems, nonlinear editing systems, switchers, multiple format VTRs, studio and ENG cameras, character generators, monitors, frame synchronizers, A/D and D/A converters, digital IT networking, storage area networks, digital video servers, encoders, basic robotics, scan converters, automated video playout systems, cable TV systems and system design principles, fiber optic transmission systems, satellite downlink equipment, audio production systems, office computers, compression techniques, as well as test/measurement equipment .
- Ability to read and understand wiring and schematic drawings.
- Ability to design and supervise installation of television production and cable systems and perform technical alignment of such systems.
- Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a highly productive television/multimedia environment.
- Excellent written, verbal and human relations skills. Good office computer skills including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.
- Ability to work with a high degree of independence and solve problems quickly and efficiently. Considerable demonstrated skill is required in organization, attention to detail, multitasking, and meet timelines to drive the delivery of appropriate, sustainable, and prompt solutions.