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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 facilities
to 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 nonionizing 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.