General Description of Class
The BROADCAST/TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER 1 employs advanced knowledge of electronics and related fields to construct, install, modify, maintain, and repair components and systems used in production, transmission, and reception of a complex statewide radio and television network and telecommunications system in accordance with applicable Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations. These systems may include radio (AM/FM) and television broadcast and production equipment and systems, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave, transmission equipment and systems, telephone and data transmission equipment, and two-way radio systems. Assignments may be in a central broadcast/production or agency facility or in regional field offices and will include responsibility for servicing system facilities at remote sites.
Distinguishing Features
The Broadcast/Telecommunications Engineer 1 is the first level of a two-level series. It is distinguished from the higher level by a lesser degree of responsibility for the development and design of major broadcast and telecommunications systems. Once fully acquainted with equipment and facilities within the assigned area, employees in this class will be called upon to make emergency response to remote facilitiesto independently maintain or repair transmitters, microwave relays, satellite receivers, translators, and related equipment in all kinds of weather. Employee response will ensure the continuous operation and quality of regional and statewide communications systems and nonredundant public and educational radio and television services.
Duties and Responsibilities
Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed which may include one or a combination of the duties or tasks listed below.
- Equipment Installation, Modification, and Maintenance. Typical tasks: employs advanced knowledge of radio, television, and telecommunications equipment including knowledge of electronic analog and digital technology and theory to install, modify, maintain, repair, and operate complex equipment used in a communications system which may include color television cameras, switchers, time-base correctors, high-power radio and television transmitters, satellite receiver systems, microwave transmitters and receivers, coaxial cable distribution system or fiber optics distribution, and microcomputers that are part of broadcast equipment, etc; reviews technical data, manuals, and schematics to become familiar with the characteristics and operation of all equipment; uses complex schematic diagrams to follow signal paths; uses test equipment (such as waveform monitors, digital signal generators, oscilloscopes, volt-ohm meter, integrated circuit testers, digital test equipment, spectrum analyzers, transmission impairment measurement sets, selective levelmeters, digital communications protocol analyzer, frequency counter, etc.) to troubleshoot and repair equipment and systems and test new equipment; consults with Engineer 2 and users to determine the need for and characteristics of modifications to obtain or maintain operational standards (modification may require original design and construction of custom components and/or subsystems); performs independently planned or assigned maintenance services at central
and remote facilities to ensure continued integrity of operation and compliance with equipment specifications and FCC rules and regulations; documents findings and assures that technical operations are in conformancea with operational standards and FCC and agency rules and regulations; must work safely around high voltages and RF radiation levels; makes repairs to equipment and systems in emergency situations where limited time and resources require innovative
problem solving techniques; drives to remote location and climbs tower to install and maintain transmission lines and antennas; repairs and aligns technical and mechanical systems under field conditions (including microwave transmitters and receivers, video modulation and demodulation shelves, aural subcarrier and two-way communication equipment, antennas, transmission lines, battery charging systems, generators, antenna support structures, etc); determines radio frequency path conditions, assesses antenna radiation patterns and documents performance by field strength measurements; works with radio and television production units under studio and field conditions to set, adjust, maintain, and repair broadcast production technical equipment; provides technical advice to crew, videographers, and producers; prepares work orders and estimates charges for repair services; may order parts from vendors; performs initial tests on new equipment to determine compliance with purchase specifications; installs equipment and performs
tests necessary to insure that the equipment and system meets all established goals and objectives, and that it is in compliance with any applicable FCC rules and regulations. - Consultation and Recommendations. Typical tasks: discusses system or component problems or limitations with users; analyzes the possible options and suggests a viable solution; prepares detailed technical proposals and cost analyses for the proposed system change or addition; presents documented proposals to senior-level engineers or management; participates in the planning, design, and development of systems and equipment; makes recommendations for the evaluation and/or purchase of new equipment; performs specialized studies as directed by supervisor; prepares equipment or project budgets independently or with management staff; provides technical training to production or other user staff on all equipment including technical adjustments, operational peculiarities, and problem recognition; assists users in planning equipment needs and backup planning for field and studio operations; maintains operational and maintenance logs to aid in replacement or upgrade planning for equipment; performs operations analysis and prepares technical reports for Engineer 2 or management.
- Equipment Operation. Typical tasks: uses extensive knowledge of radio and television equipment and systems to operate, adjust, and advise staff on all types of equipment and systems such as closed circuit program distribution, studio productions, microwave transmissions, remote productions, satellite transmission and receiving, and broadcast radio transmissions; is responsible for morning start-up operations; sets up technical equipment for both studio and field productions such as cameras, lighting, and audio systems; instructs lower-level technicians, students, and clients on equipment operation and usage.
- Maintenance of Skills. Typical tasks: is confronted with a continuously changing technology; to maintain a high level of technical expertise and skills in radio and television broadcasting, telecommunications, data transmission, and telephony fields, allocates time for formal classes, technical seminars, self-directed studies, and establishing and maintaining contact with peers in technical fields to exchange information and findings.
- Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: participates in remote broadcasts for both radio and television and would be responsible for coordinating activities with remote site personnel and utilities, equipment setup, microphone placement, recording on various analog and digital video and audio formats, and the overall integrity of the field broadcast system; maintains library of technical manuals, schematics, plans, vendor manuals, and related materials; maintains equipment maintenance schedule to assure continuous operation of equipment; plans maintenance trips to isolated facility sites; operates four-wheel drive vehicle to access sites; may operate leased or agency owned snowcat or snowmobile to access remote sites in winter; prepares and has immediately available maintenance and repair kits/supplies for variety of operational
installations assigned (e.g., microwave, translator, transmitter, etc.) including support equipment and site facilities; may contact and consult with local cable operators, other agency site sharers, or local citizens regarding continuity and quality of signals; may contact private or public property owners for access permission to remote facility sites; may independently or as part of a team design and construct custom equipment or modifications, including microboard etching and circuit design.
Employees in this class may work independently or as part of a team, but are expected to be able to take direct action based on independent decisions in all but the most technically demanding conditions. The employee is also expected to recognize, identify and describe conditions requiring a higher level of technical expertise and to immediately communicate such problems to appropriate senior engineers or management as conditions warrant. Whenever feasible, the employee is expected to initiate emergency repairs or modifications of equipment to assure continuous operations until permanent solutions can be found. Decisions made by an employee in this class directly affect the continuity and quality of regional or statewide nonredundant agency operations.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class are in daily telephone or in-person contact with various levels of agency staff and staff of other agencies to respond to inquiries, consult on services, and perform maintenance on systems and equipment. They have weekly telephone contact with personnel of other State and Federal agencies and other public entities to provide technical support and maintenance on shared communications systems. Employees intermittently telephone equipment vendors, manufacturers, and cable companies to exchange technical information on equipment specifications and operations and to order parts.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this class receive general supervision from a unit supervisor, who formally reviews work annually and randomly confers with the telecommunication system users to determine quality of work and system reliability. Most assignments will require independent work planning, putting in order, and scheduling. Work performed must comply with FCC regulations, Federal copyright laws, and internal operating procedures. Employees in this class exercise considerable independence in scheduling and putting in order their work assignments, based on both verbal and written user requests and/or verbal instructions from the supervisor.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The work of this class is generally performed in an office/shop, mobile workshop, or at a distant facility. However, this class occasionally is required to work under severe environmental conditions and temperature extremes when the work station is located in remote mountainous, coastal, and high desert areas. Employees in this class work with considerable technical independence and generally provide solutions to equipment and system problems without direct supervision. It is often necessary to use four-wheel drive vehicles and/or snowcats to reach these sites during the winter months. Occasionally snowshoe travel is required. Employees in this class are required to work with high-voltage equipment and non-ionizing radiation on a daily basis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- An Associate's degree in Electronic Technology from a recognized school AND one year of experience installing, maintaining or repairing electronic systems and/or equipment; OR
- Two years of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance and operation of radio and television r.f. and studio facilities; OR
- Any equivalent combination of training and experience.