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PTV Broadcast Field Engineer - Pocatello

Posting Begin Date: 2025/06/24

Posting End Date: 2025/07/15

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 23.91

Maximum Salary: 31.89

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

State of Idaho Opportunity

IPTV Broadcast Field Engineer - Pocatello

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

Idaho Public Television (PTV) has an exciting and very rare opportunity for an enthusiastic, dynamic, talented team member to join our Broadcast Engineering team. If you have a high interest in broadcasting and television, technology, enthusiasm, love working within a team, and enjoy troubleshooting challenging problems, while having days with “office views” that can’t be beat, this is the job for you!

About Us:

Idaho Public Television is a PBS member station and Idaho's only locally owned and operated statewide broadcast network. We are a state agency under the Idaho State Board of Education. Our nonprofit arm, The Friends of Idaho Public Television, Inc., provides private support for our content production and educational efforts and allows us to produce award-winning long form documentaries, quality public affairs journalism, podcasts, educational digital lesson plans, and community events. We harness the power of public media to encourage lifelong learning, connect our communities, and enrich the lives of all Idahoans. We tell Idaho's stories.

Position Summary:

To install, troubleshoot, and operate a statewide broadcast, microwave, fiber optics, Broadcast television transmitter relay and translator systems, and related digital equipment, transmission sites including towers, feedlines, antennas, computer networks and systems; perform related work.

Job Responsibilities:

Microwave system maintenance.

+ Install, operate and maintain television intercity relay, television studio-to-transmitter links (STL). Installs and maintains microwave electronics and hardware. Performs preventive and emergency maintenance and testing of statewide microwave relay and other systems.

+ Modifies and repairs mechanical, electrical, and electronic television equipment Verifies assigned FCC frequencies and operating parameters in the microwave relay system.

+ Performs and documents proof-of-performance tests.

Broadcast transmitters, translators, studio, and transmitter equipment maintenance.

+ Installs, maintains, troubleshoots, diagnoses, repairs, and operates television studio gear, fiber optics, translators, transmitters, related electronic broadcast equipment and software.

+ Digital, and microprocessor-controlled instrumentation, and systems

+ Uses test equipment to identify problem areas and malfunctions. Interprets diagrams, schematics, and service manuals.

+ Replaces components, assemblies, equipment, and systems.

+ Designs and fabricates parts, integrates components for specialized functions.

+ Implements a preventive maintenance schedule and reports on maintenance schedule to supervisor.

+ Verifies operations on assigned FCC frequencies and operating parameters of the broadcast transmitter and translator systems as required by FCC.

+ Performs and documents proof-of-performance tests of the statewide broadcast transmitter and translator system.

+ Calibrates test equipment,

+ Maintains liaison with network and commercial broadcast stations, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Dept. of Lands and Idaho Public Safety Communications, and other applicable entities.

+ Recommends the purchase of test, maintenance, and site access equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Considerable knowledge of:

+ Electronic principles, practices, and theory as they apply to analog and digital RF transmission, microwave, fiber optics, telecommunications, computer and PC network systems, broadcast television microwave theory at wave guide frequencies

+ Digital broadcast RF systems and studio equipment theory

Experience:

+ Installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing microwave systems

+ Installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing a television translator system or high-power television transmitters

+ Operating power tools and electronic diagnostic equipment including oscilloscopes, service monitors, spectrum analyzers, multi-meters, power-meters, laptop PCs and digital and data test sets, troubleshooting and repairing television broadcast studio equipment

+ Applying FCC rules and regulations pertaining to television broadcast and transmissions systems

Ability to:

+ Lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

+ Use snowmobile/4x4 vehicles and snowshoe to mountainous site facilities

+ Climb up to 100 feet in height using appropriate equipment and safety protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Knowledge of television studio equipment maintenance and operations.

+ A Bachelor of Science degree in electronics, or related field, or equivalent technical training.

+ Comprehensive knowledge of integrated IT systems and IP networking principles. Typically gained by at least 2 years' experience and/or formal training with IT certification (such as, but not limited to, Society of Broadcast Engineers, CBNT, CBNE, MTCNA, OR CCNA).

+ Some Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, regulations, and practices in a Broadcast facility. Typically gained by at least 2 years' experience working in a broadcast facility applying rules towards operations and logging.

+ Experience with RFR exposure safety and management procedures at various frequencies and power levels.

+ Experience identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving software, hardware, and network issues. Typically gained by at least 2 years’ experience identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving software, hardware, and network issues.

+ Working knowledge of multiple operating systems such as current Windows desktop, Windows Server, and various Linux distributions.

+ RF experience including high-power UHF and VHF.

+ SBE Broadcast TV Engineer Certification or an FCC Amateur General or Extra Class License.

Supplemental Information on Travel and Physical Requirements:

+ Regional and statewide travel is required for repair and inspection purposes. Winter work is often under adverse weather conditions and will require snowshoeing, and operation of four-wheel drive vehicles and snowmobiles for site access.

+ You must have the physical ability to do snowshoeing, lifting, and carry items weighing approximately 60 pounds up steep slopes over snow- and ice-covered terrain. Transmitter sitework often requires climbing and rigging of 100 foot or taller antenna structures.

+ Work requires the ability to devise innovative and unique solutions to complex problems in the field.

How to Apply:

After careful review of this announcement and filling out the associated application, please attach and submit a resume and cover letter relevant to this position.

Benefits:

+ Excellent medical, dental, and vision health plans

+ One of the Nation's best state retirement systems ( PERSI) that offers a lifetime benefit

+ Life insurance

+ Short and long-term disability insurance

+ Paid sick and vacation leave accrual upon hire

+ Parental leave

+ 11 paid holidays annually

+ A healthy work-life balance

+ Career growth and professional development opportunities

+ Tuition Reduction and College Credit Benefits available as we are an agency operating under the State Board of Education

+ For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs visit: https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.