Broadcast Operations Technician

WTAE Hearst Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking an experienced Broadcast Operations Technician to join our Engineering team. This role delivers and monitors the station’s on-air signals from content acquisition through distribution, supporting both in-studio and remote production operations under the Assistant Chief Engineer.

You will staff the master control room, manage file-based workflows, and ensure accurate execution of playlists, commercials, and programming while maintaining

Qualifications

• Independently work with minimal supervision.
• Strong decision-making and troubleshooting under time pressure.
• Proficient with computers and learning new software.
• Understanding of ENPS and video playback systems.
• Experience with file-based media workflows and broadcast automation systems.
• Flexible to evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate and manage file-based broadcast workflows, including media preparation, playlist management, recording schedules, and robotic camera shot recall.
• Provide creative input and work with newscast producers and production crew.
• Staff the master control room to operate and monitor studio and transmission equipment, including broadcast automation systems, robotic cameras, satellite downlinks, and HD video servers.
• Ensure the accurate execution of on-air playlists, commercial breaks, and programming.
• Perform floor directing duties during live and recorded productions, coordinating with anchors and reporters.
• Operate and monitor news automation systems to ensure clean technical execution of the newscast.
• Monitor video and audio quality using waveform monitors and vectorscopes to meet broadcast standards.
• Identify technical issues quickly and communicate problems to minimize disruptions.
• Support station operations during live broadcasts, special events, and remote productions.

Skills

Independent work

Decision making

Computers proficiency

Troubleshooting

Flexible schedule

Education

Broadcast Communications / Electronics training

Tools

ENPS

Video playback systems

Job description

Job Description

WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking an experienced Broadcast Operations Technician to join our Engineering team. This position is responsible for delivering and monitoring the station’s on-air signals from content acquisition through distribution. The successful candidate will support both in-studio and remote production operations and report directly to the Assistant Chief Engineer.

Responsibilities

• Operate and manage file-based broadcast workflows, including media preparation, playlist management, recording schedules, and robotic camera shot recall.
• Provide creative input and work with newscast producers and production crew.
• Staff the master control room to operate and monitor studio and transmission equipment, including:
• Broadcast automation systems
• Robotic cameras
• Satellite downlinks
• HD video servers
• Ensure the accurate execution of on-air playlists, commercial breaks, and programming.
• Perform floor directing duties during live and recorded productions, communicating effectively with anchors, reporters, and other on-air talent to ensure seamless coordination between the production control room and the studio.
• Operate and monitor news automation systems to ensure clean technical execution of the newscast.
• Monitor video and audio quality using waveform monitors, vectorscopes, and other quality control equipment to ensure broadcast standards are met.
• Quickly identify technical issues and communicate equipment problems promptly to Engineering staff to minimize operational disruptions.
• Support station operations during live broadcasts, special events, and remote productions.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to troubleshoot issues and respond effectively under time-sensitive conditions.
• Highly proficient with computers and comfortable learning new software and broadcast technologies.
• Understanding of newsroom ENPS and video playback systems.
• Technical know-how to resolve existing issues and to work around problems that arise during live newscasts.
• Experience with file-based media workflows and modern broadcast automation systems is strongly preferred.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license and dependable transportation.
• Able to stand for long periods of time.
• Able to lift and carry 50 lbs.

Preferred Experience

• Television control room and studio operations experience.
• Education or training in Broadcast Communications, Electronics, or a related technical field.
• Technical School degree, Electronics Certification, and/or Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) Certification.
• Military technical experience is welcomed and will be considered.

Values in Action

At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That's why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.

About Us

Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching nearly 25 million U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry's premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national, origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.