The University of Montana and the Broadcast Media Center invites applications for a Chief Engineer for broadcast facilities of MontanaPBS and Montana Public Radio. The Chief Engineer will be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and proper operation of all engineering technical aspects of television and radio stations.
The Chief Engineer must be committed to providing timely, quality service in the stewardship of the financial, physical and human resources in the support of The University of Montana Broadcast Media Center. This position reports to the Broadcast Media Center Technical Director.
The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its essential values of innovation and creativity, impact, openness, and partnership.
Position Details
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Professional Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
Salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications.
Required Skills
- Demonstrated working knowledge of Radio and Television Transmitters
- Demonstrated ability to diagnose and repair broadcast related equipment to component level
- Demonstrated working knowledge of LAN and WAN networking best practices
- Demonstrated competence using general test equipment including multi-meters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.
- Demonstrated competence with general and specialized computer word processing, spread sheets, data bases and drawing programs
- Knowledge of FCC broadcast requirements
- Knowledge of digital television systems theory
- Knowledge of HD SD-SDI quality control for video & audio level and timing
- Knowledge of safe procedures required to repair, tune and operate High Voltage High Power transmitters
- Basic fabrication and Soldering skills
- The ability to exercise diplomacy and good judgment
Required Experience
- Two (2) years of post-secondary technical training specializing in broadcast engineering, information technology, electronic communications, or closely related field plus three (3) years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in one of the above fields or an equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience.
- Must currently possess or be eligible to obtain a valid Montana driver’s license by start date and possess an acceptable driving record (less than 10 points).
Preferred Skills
- Certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE)
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer networks and IT systems
- Demonstrated studio and remote live Digital TV production engineering experience
- Demonstrated ability to handle all technical aspects of a broadcast facility
- Candidate is able to perform work at all studio sites and transmitter sites
- Demonstrated ability to monitor and respond to remote transmitters 24/7
- Demonstrated experience with audio/video routing systems
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and repair transmitter and RF systems
- Knowledge of remote control systems (Davicom, Burk, Gentner)
- Knowledge of proper grounding procedures for lightning protection and interference reduction
- Knowledge of 3 phase AC power distribution and wiring requirements
- Demonstrated experience, skills & ability to access geographically challenging sites via 4WD vehicle, snowmobile, snowshoes.
Physical Requirements
Qualified candidates must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform the primary functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to perform: ability to lift up to 75 lbs; travel and work in extreme weather conditions; hike (and/or ski) to remote sites; reach, climb, crouch, balance, twist, crawl, and kneel; ability to operate snowmobiles, 4WD trucks and tow a trailer safely; ability to travel to and from remote sites safely under all weather conditions at all times of day; work under stressful circumstances in all weather conditions, which requires mobility and physical demands.
About UM and the Broadcast Media Center
The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 500+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 70,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.
The Broadcast Media Center houses KUFM-TV and KUFM Radio. Both are 24-hour-a-day, professionally staffed, CPB-qualified stations, broadcasting as a public service of UM-Missoula. Both stations extend educational and culturally enriching programming: in radio to western and north-central Montana, and statewide in television through MontanaPBS, a collaborative service of UM and Montana State University. The center provides broadcast-quality video and audio production for campus departments on all the University of Montana campuses, as well as national, state and local government agencies.
To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.
- University of Montana
- University Highlights
- City of Missoula
- Destination Missoula
- https://youtu.be/jOxVwxvjPtk" target="_blank">Video: There's This Place
- Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
- State of Montana
- Visit Montana
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.
Employment Eligibility
All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
How to Apply
Priority Application Date: January 13, 2019
Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin after the date and continue until the position is filled.
Please submit the following application materials here.
*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.
- Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
- Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
- Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
Job Location
Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular