Intern, Broadcast Engineering

Southern California Public Radio; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick time off

Health insurance under ACA

APMG retirement plan

Job summary

Minnesota Public Radio | American Public Media invites applications for an Intern, Broadcast Engineering in Saint Paul, MN. The position offers hands-on experience with RF, audio/video systems, and broadcast automation, with 40 hours per week and a start date January 4, 2027.

You will support daily operations, learn master control, and collaborate with engineers and producers across stations, gaining practical skills in streaming platforms and broadcasting technology.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of audio, video, and RF signal flow.
• Familiarity with broadcast equipment such as mixers, cameras, microphones, and transmitters.
• Foundational knowledge of computer networking (IP addressing, switches, routers).
• Work collaboratively with engineers, producers, and on-air talent.

Responsibilities

• Assist broadcast engineers with daily operation, monitoring, and maintenance of studio and transmitter systems.
• Help troubleshoot and resolve basic technical issues under the supervision of senior staff.
• Participate in preventive maintenance tasks, including inspection, cleaning, and documentation of equipment.
• Collaborate with engineering staff, producers, and on-air personnel to ensure smooth technical operations.
• Collaborate with Media Production Systems to learn broadcast automation and news production system administration.
• Perform other related technical support tasks as assigned, with emphasis on hands-on learning and professional development.

Skills

Audio/Video/RF workflow

Networking basics

Team collaboration

Broadcast IT concepts

Streaming tech interest

Education

Currently enrolled or recent graduate (within 18 months)

Tools

Broadcast equipment (mixers, cameras, mics, transmitters)

IT concepts in broadcasting

Job description

Position Information:

- Start Date: January 4 – June 4, 2027

- Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday

- Location: St. Paul, MN

- Pay: $20/hour

Intern, Broadcast Engineering:

Join our engineering team and dive into cutting-edge broadcast technology from RF systems and HD Radio to streaming platforms that reach millions. As the broadcast engineering field evolves, we're seeking a curious, tech-savvy intern to master multi-channel platforms, collaborate with teams and stations worldwide, and help innovate the systems that connect communities through public media. This is your chance to build a meaningful career while ensuring public media thrives for generations to come.

Key Learning Goals:

• The goal of this internship is to provide you with immersive learning and real-world experience through impactful work. By the end of your internship, you will be able to:
• Develop a working understanding of audio, video, and RF signal flow in a live and automated broadcast environment
• Gain hands-on experience with broadcast equipment, including mixers, routers, transmitters, and automation systems
• Observe and participate in master control operations, studio setups, and field transmission
• Learn the workflow of media acquisition, editing, storage, scheduling, and playout
• Strengthen problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills in a technical environment
• Expand your professional network by collaborating with producers, engineers, technical directors, and industry guests

Responsibilities:

• Assist broadcast engineers with daily operation, monitoring, and maintenance of studio and transmitter systems
• Help troubleshoot and resolve basic technical issues under the supervision of senior staff
• Participate in preventive maintenance tasks, including inspection, cleaning, and documentation of equipment
• Collaborate with engineering staff, producers, and on-air personnel to ensure smooth technical operations
• Collaborate with Media Production Systems to learn broadcast automation and news production system administration
• Perform other related technical support tasks as assigned, with emphasis on hands-on learning and professional development.

Benefits:

• Eligible to accrue sick time off
• Eligible for health insurance as required under the ACA
• Eligible to participate in the APMG retirement plan

Programming:

• Participate in a robust onboarding experience
• Professional development: on-the-job training, workforce readiness training, formal performance review feedback sessions, etc.
• Participate in brown bag sessions to gain broader perspective of the organization

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a college or university, or graduated within the past 18 months
• Available full-time (40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) throughout the internship
• Basic understanding of audio, video, and RF signal flow
• Familiarity with broadcast equipment such as mixers, cameras, microphones, and transmitters
• Foundational knowledge of computer networking (IP addressing, switches, routers)
• Work collaboratively with engineers, producers, and on-air talent

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with IT concepts applied in broadcasting (servers, storage, automation systems)
• Interest in emerging technologies such as streaming, cloud-based playout, and virtualization in broadcasting

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time.
• Required to move about in the community.
• Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping.
• Working Conditions:
• Moderate noise level.
• Occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply.

MacMillan Internship & Fellowship Program at MPR|APM

Minnesota Public Radio | American Public Media are grateful for the long-time, generous philanthropy of Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan for investing in the future of public media through transformational internships and fellowships. Their recent grant will significantly strengthen our internship program, produce enriching programming, and prepare the next generation for careers in public media. We are pleased to recognize this generous support in the name of the program – the MacMillan Internship & Fellowship Program at MPR|APM.