Maintenance Engineer
OPB
Portland
,
OR
Application Deadline: Friday, Dec 30, 2022
Description
Maintenance Engineer
Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB’s careers page.
About OPB
OPB is a leader in public media, serving diverse communities of the Northwest with fact-based, in-depth news and information about politics, the environment, science, arts, history, and cultures; business, education and more. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB seeks out a variety of voices in our communities and lifts up authentic stories of the people, places, events and issues of the region, providing context and a deeper understanding. OPB’s independent journalism and programs are available at opb.org, on OPB Radio and OPB TV. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
The Opportunity
Do you enjoy traveling to remote areas, long drives through beautiful countryside, and working outdoors on top of mountains? Are you experienced with working in complex technological systems and safely operating 4WD vehicles? Do you have curiosity about how broadcast systems work? If so, OPB is hiring a Maintenance Engineer in Corvallis, and this could be a great opportunity for you.
In this position you will support OPB’s mission by keeping our infrastructure running, enabling our content creators to keep our audience informed 24/7. This role performs a blend of IT and traditional broadcast tasks and as such we’re looking for someone with an agile mind, innate curiosity and priority for safety who can work in remote outdoor settings. The Western Region Maintenance Engineer is an integral part of the Engineering team and reports to the Chief Engineer in Tangent, OR. This position primarily covers the Corvallis region but may also cover the Eugene region or assist in Portland as needed.
It’s an exciting time for OPB as the technological landscape continually evolves. By maintaining uptime of our transmitters, your work enables our radios shows such as “Think Out Loud®” to broadcast to our hundreds of thousands of listeners, the airing of Sesame Street to children across the region, and access to important news around the clock.
Check out our Oregon Field Guide episode on Tower Engineers to see the team in action.
Position Details
The Maintenance Engineer for the Mid Valley/Southern region of Oregon Public Broadcasting assists the Tangent based Chief Engineer in the design, installation, emergency repair, preventive maintenance, and technical operation of the various components of our broadcast systems. This includes television transmission facilities, directional AM radio transmission facilities, and sites containing radio and television translators, microwave relays, fiber optic distribution systems, and two-way radio systems.
Responsibilities
65% – Technical: In conjunction with the Chief Engineers, maintain the OPB equipment and facilities. This will include housekeeping and building maintenance at various transmitter sites and transmission facilities. This includes, but not limited to: TV transmitters, Radio transmitters, Microwave systems, A-C generators, remote control systems, fiber optic systems, as well as the test equipment used to maintain this equipment.
20% – Travel: Travel to transmitter, microwave, and translator sites, using 4-wheel drive and possibly tracked snow vehicles. May include hiking, snowshoeing and tower climbing.
5% – Planning & Documentation Work: Documentation of projects such as equipment installation, system changes, and equipment operating parameters. Produce drawings and block diagrams of completed systems.
5% – Education: On the job training provided by the Chief Engineers in the use of test equipment as well as repair and maintenance of transmission facilities. Study towards SBE Certification is encouraged.
5% – Field Services: Interaction with viewers/ listeners, cable operators, for resolution of reception issues and quality improvements. Build working relationships related to broadcast facilities with Field Maintenance Engineers from other stations and/or organizations.
Working Conditions
This position is based in OPB’s Tangent, OR facility. Working conditions vary widely, ranging from the office environment to arduous travel, and significant activity outdoors at various transmission sites. The position may be required to work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. May be required to be on-call to respond to technical and production emergencies.
Travel and work at remote sites will require the operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles and tracked snow vehicles. May also need to perform in the field, basic emergency mechanical repairs. Exposure to very high voltages and RF non-ionizing radiation is possible at most sites. The work may require challenging physical activity, including lifting up to 50 pounds and moving up to 75 pounds, working in inclement weather, walking, or hiking around 2 miles (possibly in snowshoes), and possible tower climbing.
Minimum Qualifications
- Knowledge of technical design, construction, maintenance, and operation of broadcast systems and tools used therein.
- Working knowledge of basic RF and electronic theory as it applies to broadcast systems, including radio and television transmitters, and microwave systems.
- Strong computer skills, with knowledge of networked systems.
- Ability to perform physical requirements of position
- Knowledge of outdoor safety and best practices when working in challenging remote conditions, including cold weather survival and wilderness first aid.
- Skilled at providing customer service to a wide variety of colleagues, stakeholders, contractors, etc.
- Ability to interact with the public and co-workers in a productive way.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Effective oral and written communications skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
- Ability to manage projects effectively and efficiently.
- Basic mechanical skills
- The ability to work at remote sites in all weather conditions.
- Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in electronics, computer science, telecommunications, or Broadcast Engineering.
- Experience with broadcast and IP based television and radio signal distribution systems.
- Experience with AM directional arrays.
- SBE Certification
Additional Information
- This position reports to the Chief Engineer, is union represented, and benefits eligible
- The probable hiring range for this nonexempt position is between the hourly equivalent of $59,900 and $74,900 annually, depending on qualifications.
- For the safety of our employees, the contractors/vendors we work with, and the public we serve, OPB has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy, and all employees are required to show proof of vaccination.
- This position requires a valid driver’s license and will requires consent to OPB conducting a driving record check. Employees will not be allowed to use a company or personal vehicle for work purposes without completion and satisfactory results of this check.
How to Apply
For application instructions, please visit OPB’s careers page. You will be asked to create an account, upload your cover letter and resume and answer a few position related questions. Once you click “submit” you cannot make changes to your application.
This position is open until filled.
OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.