Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst 

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

Job Summary

The Broadcast Engineer provides proactive operational support and maintenance for the Departments of Communication and Journalism studios and equipment room (CaJe). Serves as onsite engineer, ensuring fully functional and operating facilities used primarily for course instruction. Manages CaJe operations. 

Essential Functions

• Manages CaJe equipment by proactively ensuring that all equipment is operational and prepared for lending. Diagnoses and assesses needed equipment repairs. Makes equipment repairs when applicable or arranges for equipment repairs by approved vendor. If no approved vendor exists, works with appropriation staff to onboard the new vendor into the procurement system. 
• Hires, trains, and supervises student staff supporting the CaJe during scheduled open hours. For each semester, consults with the Director of Studio Operations to determine student employee schedules based on CaJe usage patterns. If there are no studio work conflicts, staffs the CaJe when student workers are unavailable. When schedule is determined, posts the current schedule on department websites and CaJe door. Updates the schedule, and communicates changes as needed. 
• Monitors CaJe equipment lending, and proactively works with faculty and students to ensure that all equipment is returned at the end of each semester. Takes initiative to contact students directly who have failed to return equipment and make plans for equipment return. Alerts the Director of Studio Operations and appropriate faculty member if student fails to return equipment. Prepares semester and ad hoc reports on field equipment status and usage.  
• Evaluates and monitors technical standards and quality of in-studio and field equipment. Proactively assesses equipment and cabling to determine needs for upgrades ensuring up-to-date standards. Completes all trainings, courses or workshops as instructed by the Director of Studio Operations to ensure current operational and engineering knowledge.  
• Collaborates with the Director of Studio Operations and production faculty to ensure that the studios and CaJe equipment are aligned with current and upcoming course needs and instructional goals.  
• As directed by the Director of Studio Operations, installs and assists in the installation of new or upgraded studio production equipment, audio systems, specialized imaging and computer-based hardware, and teleconferencing equipment. Ensures that all work is completed on schedule. If unable to perform the required installations/upgrades of back/front end equipment for the studio spaces, consults with the Director of Studio Operations to secure an approved vendor/contractor to complete the installations in a timely manner. 
• With the Director of Studio Operations, coordinates, plans and schedules special studio use requests of faculty, campus, and non-campus usage. Provides on-site support for special requests, ensuring productions are executed smoothly. 
• Collaborates with the Information Technology Manager to coordinate technical and production-based services for students and faculty. 
• When necessary, implements disaster recovery plan for the broadcast studio systems. 

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent combination of education and training) in Engineering, Broadcasting or Film Studies and 4 years relevant experience with broadcast equipment, system design, repair, and installation. 
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and while meeting project deadlines and requirements. Ability to work effectively and with initiative, in a highly organized manner with accountability and reliability. Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated and demonstrate problem solving skills. 
• Ability to thrive in educational setting/learning environment, in which the teaching and learning needs of faculty and students are primary. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with co-workers and with a broad range of diverse clients including students, staff and faculty. 
• Skill in supervising with the ability to mentor and support student employees and interns. 
• Knowledge of current principles and practice of broadcast engineering, with the ability and willingness to maintain up-to-date knowledge. Knowledge of the usage, design, repair, maintenance, and installation of technical broadcast systems. Knowledge of cable and webcasting technology. Knowledge of audio-visual maintenance and support protocols. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to accurately communicate technical issues to a non-technical audience. 
• Skill in developing and delivering instruction for all technical components for relevant lab instruction as well as studio production courses. 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

Experience working in an academic setting. 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Must be able to lift equipment up to 50lbs.  

Additional Details

• Must be able to work under time focused conditions in broadcast studio environment.  
• Required to maintain on-call status for response to emergency situations. 
• Required to keep up with current and potential new technologies through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required for success in the position.