Pioneer PBS invites applications for the position of Chief Technology Officer. This position is responsible for all technology and technical management of the station, including supervision of the operation of the broadcast facility and the technical quality of all material leaving the station via transmission, stream, or file. Oversees the maintenance of all technical equipment and ensures compliance from all personnel regarding current FCC, FAA, State, Federal or Grant regulations.
Pioneer PBS is based in Granite Falls, Minnesota and operates transmitters in Western Minnesota: KWCM-Appleton (Channel 10) and KSMN-Worthington (Channel 20), and translator K-08 near Fergus Falls. As a full member of PBS and a community licensee, the station has been operated by the nonprofit West Central Minnesota Educational Television Company since it went on the air in 1966. With a staff of just under 30 and an operating budget of nearly 3.5 million, the station produces five regular series, special series, numerous documentaries and digital content. Pioneer PBS enjoys its new 18,000-square foot state-of-the-art studio facility on six acres of land in the scenic Minnesota River Valley.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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- Provides overall technical direction, supervision of technical staff and coordination of technology for studio and transmission sites.
- Research, creates and executes annual department and capital budget.
- Establishes preventive maintenance for station equipment; guides and directs others to do the same.
- Reviews technical discrepancy reports from operations and maintenance daily.
- Responds to emergency repair calls pertaining to Operational or Technical issues.
- Supervises Engineering and IT personnel or contractors, conducts weekly Engineering/IT team meetings and promotes a team environment.
- Maintains a neat, clean and organized workplace.
- Supervises the inspections of transmitters to ensure proper calibration.
- Supervises maintenance of computer systems in studio and at transmitters.
- Supervises maintenance of studio equipment, satellite receive systems, remote production equipment, and associated transmission equipment.
- Ensures compliance from all personnel regarding current FCC, FAA, State, Federal or Grant regulations.
- Informs General Manger, Pioneer PBS leadership team, board and staff of industry changes, designs and installs, documents and trains on new systems as required.
- Leads the station in technical equipment budgeting preparation, execution and adjustments. Providing long term strategies, annual planning and quarterly reports to chief financial officer and general manager. Communicate return on investment opportunities during planning.
- Other duties as assigned and within realm of job.
Education and Experience Requirements
- 4 year degree in electronic technology and/or business as well as 15+ years of broadcast or media experience preferred.
- Strong written communication skills are required to compose technical letters to manufacturers of engineering and communications equipment regarding problems with or evaluations of equipment, as well as to write memos and prepare reports.
- Excellent phone skills required for dealing with manufacturing companies.
- Emotional Intelligence skills and a great sense of humor.
- Ability to effectively communicate with all employees and external partners, vendors and other key stakeholders of Pioneer PBS.
- Excellent organizational skills in preparing work guidelines and schedules, as well as records, reports, and inventory control.
- Ability to analyze budgets and bid proposals and to communicate as needed with Finance and Pioneer PBS leadership.
- Must be able to quickly determine the solution to complex problems and emergency situations and convey potential solutions.
- Ability to interpret sales bids and envision big picture impact to current systems.
- Ability to operate broadcast test equipment, interpret results, and take corrective action.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send cover letter, resume and references to Pioneer PBS, Human Resources, 1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 or e-mail to dmonahan@pioneer.org. Review to begin immediately.
Pioneer PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
