Broadcast Technicians

Description

Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate transmitter to broadcast radio or television programs.

Tasks

Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
Monitor and log transmitter readings.
Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
Play and record broadcast programs using automation systems.
Control audio equipment to regulate the volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
Align antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations.
Maintain programming logs, as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
Select sources from which programming will be received, or through which programming will be transmitted.
Set-up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
Schedule programming, or read television programming logs to determine which programs are to be recorded or aired.
Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems and perform maintenance or minor repairs using hand tools.
Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
Substitute programs in cases where signals fail.
Prepare reports outlining past and future programs, including content.
Record sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary.
Instruct trainees in how to use television production equipment, how to film events, and how to copy and edit graphics or sound onto videotape.
Edit broadcast material electronically, using computers.
Give technical directions to other personnel during filming.
Make commercial dubs.
Develop employee work schedules.
Design and modify equipment to employer specifications.
Determine the number, type, and approximate location of microphones needed for best sound recording or transmission quality, and position them appropriately.
Produce graphics for broadcasts.
Organize recording sessions, and prepare areas such as radio booths and television stations for recording.
Set up and operate portable field transmission equipment outside the studio.
Discuss production requirements with clients.
Produce educational and training films and videotapes by performing activities such as selecting equipment and preparing scripts.

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.

Work Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Work Context

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled: How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Electronic Mail: How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate: How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Telephone: How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Frequency of Decision Making: How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Time Pressure: How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results: How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
Freedom to Make Decisions: How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work: To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Stress Tolerance: Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Achievement/Effort: Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Self Control: Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Independence: Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Work Values

Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

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Lay Titles

Audio Engineer

Audio Operator

Audio Technician

Audio/Video Technician

Board Operator

Broadcast Engineer

Broadcast Field Supervisor

Broadcast Maintenance Engineer

Broadcast Maintenance Technician

Broadcast Operations Engineer

Broadcast Operations Technician

Broadcast Technician

Cable Television Access Coordinator

Chyron Operator

Color Technician

Computer Engineer

Control Engineer

Control Operator

Control Room Operator

Control Room Technician

Control Supervisor

Electronics Technician

Engineering and Operations Director

Engineering Director

Engineering Technician

Facsimile Operator

Field Engineer

Field Technician

Master Control Engineer

Master Control Operator (MCO)

Master Control Supervisor

Microphone Operator

Mixer Operator

Newcast Director

News Gathering Technician

Operating Engineer

Operations Manager

Operations Technician

Operator Technician

Production Assistant

Production Editor

Production Manager

Program Clerk

Program Scheduler

Projection Engineer

Radio Engineer

Radio Station Engineer

Radio Technician

Radio/TV Technician (Radio/Television Technician)

Records and Tape Recordings Engineer

Remote Broadcast Engineer

Signal Engineer

Sound Controller

Sound Effects Manager

Sound Effects Technician

Sound Mixer

Sound Person

Sound Technician

Special Effects Technician

Staff Engineer

Station Engineer

Studio Control Operator

Studio Engineer

Studio Operation Engineer

Studio Technician

Technical Director

Technical Testing Engineer

Telecasting Engineer

Telecasting Technician

Telecine Operator

Television Engineer

Television Operator

Television Technician

Transmission Engineer

Transmission Operator

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $18.21 hourly, $37,880 annual.

Employment (2008):: 31,640 employees