KPBS Media Operations Specialist - San Diego State University Research Foundation

Overview

The salary range for this position is $31.25 - $31.80 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is scheduled to close on 1/3/2025 at 4:00pm (PST).

Flexible work hours when needed is a must - nights, weekends, holidays, and some overtime.

This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming.  KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio stations for San Diego.  Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience.  It does so by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, including programming about San Diego and its people.

Under supervision of the Production Manager, the Media Operations Specialist is responsible for master control operations and television support, maintaining and operating the Satellite and Electronic News Gathering (S-ENG) Truck and participating as technical crew in special shows and event projects in KPBS studio productions.

Providing technical support for a complex telecommunications facility, the KPBS Operations & Production Services Department is responsible for all aspects of video production including oversight of all electronic media production, recording and transmission needs for the station.

KPBS Media Operations has a customer-service focus, with an eye on quality-control serving our viewers, internal departments and out-of-house clients to provide professional work that meets station technical and quality standards and expectations. 

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by job)
• 10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Monthly pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s)
• Employee assistance program
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

Responsibilities

Media Operations/Master Control Support (80%)

• Work closely with KPBS Traffic and Programming departments to ensure video content, programs, promos and interstitials for broadcast and digital distribution platforms meet technical and timing specifications and quality standards.
• Help deliver KPBS programming streams to the KPBS audience including ingestion and dubbing, trimming and set-up, technical and quality review.
• Evaluate national and local video files to ensure proper playout to broadcast, streaming and digital platforms.
• Provide technical and quality control support to KPBS Traffic and Programming departments; workflow for incoming locally produced video programming for distribution and outgoing media to national public television distributors. This includes quality, packaging and video/audio technical evaluations, closed captioning per FCC regulations, file trimming and set-up, as directed. 
• Operate and/or monitor the station broadcast automation system, such as Public Media Management (PMM); editing equipment, graphics equipment, switchers, media asset databases, satellite receivers, fiber feed equipment, tape archival systems and accompanying PC’s.
• Monitor TV/Radio Transmitters and complete TV Transmitter logs and fulfills EAS requirements.  
• Perform first-line corrective maintenance and routine preventive maintenance on the various electronic systems and technical equipment, and report equipment failures when intensive corrective maintenance procedures are required.
• Assist and inform Engineering staff of any technical issues. 

Production Support (10%)

• Support station studio productions and other special shows and events, as needed.
• Provide support to external clients with productions, special projects, and events.
• Manage production recordings and segmenting for master control playback.
• Monitor and verify Closed Captioning is present in all recordings and during live productions.

S-ENG Truck Maintenance and Operations (5%)

• Drive trucks to remote locations and identify line of sight access for ViaSat satellites.
• Oversee all operations at remote location; system and connection start-up, satellite antenna set-up.
• Interface audio/video equipment to truck transmission equipment & establish remote site intercom communications to control rooms. Troubleshoot technical problems that arise.
• Keep up to date with the Transmission Location Map with Go/No go location listed for future Live Shot knowledge.
• Oversee different system and equipment operations; signal flow through the truck.
• Keep the vehicle maintained, fueled and ready for emergency operations at a moment's notice.
• Notify the team of any issues or concerns in production equipment or vehicle functionality. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

• Respond to customer requests for information and service in a timely and efficient manner
• Monitor client services for quality control and customer satisfaction

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to understand and general knowledge of operating professional broadcast quality television equipment and systems that integrate computers with broadcast equipment in the television industry.

• Working knowledge of the full range of production techniques and equipment used in production, including graphics and editing, in both studio and field environments.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with preparing video for use online through various internet platforms.
• Ability to learn, understand, and apply techniques used throughout the Production Cycle: pre production, production, and post-production.
• Ability to provide the highest quality experience for the KPBS audience, regardless of distribution platform. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to coordinate all facets of television production, distribution including schedules, and other projects. 

• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills; ability to establish and maintain cooperative and cordial working relations with a wide range of internal and public contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in order to disseminate information about activities, programs, and objectives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer software: such as but not limited to Google Workspace, Ross Overdrive, Crispin Automation, Sony Ci and PMM operations.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or additional experience that may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
• Six months of experience in a related field; experience with professional broadcast equipment in a studio environment.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Two years of related experience.
• TV production and production coordination experience
• Skilled in Adobe Premiere
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Additional Applicant Information:

• Candidates must reside in California, or be willing to relocate, and live within a commutable distance to the SDSU campus at the time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check). 
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer
• This position is part of the SAG-AFTRA bargaining unit with KPBS.