Broadcasting Engineer

Position Title: Broadcasting Engineer

Department: KTWU - General

Advertised Pay: Base $20.39/hour with potential for a higher entry rate commensurate with experience

Campus Location: Washburn University

Application Review: Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. 

Position Summary: This position is a crucial component to the monitoring and maintaining of KTWU’s high-quality broadcast signal to viewers in Eastern Kansas. This position reports to the Assistant Chief Engineer and serves as master control operator, ensuring seamless delivery of KTWU broadcast channels via OTA, cable, fiber, and streaming; monitors satellite, file download, and cloud-based delivery of content; ensures content is available for air on KTWU’s video server and archive system; ensures KTWU broadcast signal is compliant with FCC policies and procedures (weather/emergency alerts, closed-captioning, audio levels, etc.); and assists with maintenance projects and equipment installation as needed in master control, production control, studio, transmitter, and SE Kansas translator.

About Washburn University: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Essential Functions:
• Serves as Master Control operator. Monitors KTWU’s OTA (over the air), cable, fiber, and streaming signals for all content delivery platforms that carry KTWU channels; ensures content is downloaded and checked prior to broadcast; and monitors KTWU’s automation system, online video server, and archive system. Ensures weather/emergency alerts and closed-captioning are broadcast according to FCC policies and procedures. Monitors closed-captioning, audio and video levels of programs, making needed adjustments to maintain KTWU’s OTA standards.
• Works with KTWU’s Traffic Department to implement and maintain the broadcast log, ensuring all scheduled content is in the video server for playout and identifying differences, errors, and any changes that occur after broadcast log is submitted to Traffic to ensure an accurate as-run log.
• Observes operations and monitors transmitters to ensure equipment is operating at maximum efficiency and in accordance with FCC rules and regulations. Notifies Chief Engineer or Assistant Chief Engineer if problems develop to seek direction and make or facilitate correction.
• Repairs and checks various pieces of equipment used in the origination and transmission of programs to identify and resolve problems or report them to the Assistant Chief Engineer if needed. Performs routine maintenance to assist engineering staff as directed.
• Works with KTWU’s Traffic Department to ensure on-air promos are tagged and ready for broadcast in the video server.
• Supports other KTWU departments and team members during community and fundraising events to assist with continued sustainability of KTWU’s services and mission to Kansas communities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:
• High school, GED, or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of computers and electronic test equipment.
• Must be able to work unsupervised.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Must be able to work non-standard hours, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to move and/or maneuver equipment weighing approximately 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Work experience as a Master Control Operator or completion of technical school program in electronics.
• An aptitude for working with technical equipment at a television station.
• Knowledge of digital equipment.
• Certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers.

Hourly, Full-time, Varies, Varies/Shift   
Background Check Required