SUMMARY
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.
The Audio Engineering Supervisor positions provide operational supervision and technical expertise to support NPR’s content creation. Primary responsibilities include staff scheduling in a 24x7x365 production environment, collaborating across the organization to assess requirements and assign technical resources, building and maintaining departmental tools and guides, testing and troubleshooting audio and broadcast systems, and generating reports, presentations, and documentation.
Our ideal candidates are solutions-focused, proactive, and collaborative individuals with backgrounds in media, broadcast, technology, and/or audio engineering. They must possess the poise and technical expertise to manage complex situations with tact, the ability and desire to learn new skills, tools, and technologies, and support the mission of NPR. A proven history of successfully managing teams, building and maintaining cross-divisional relationships, solving problems, and developing staff are key components of these leadership positions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Shares responsibility for Broadcast Recording Technician scheduling in a 24x7x365 newsroom environment; responds to leave requests, last minute breaking news events, and staffing emergencies, provides regular feedback, and conducts performance reviews
- Ensures technical quality and precise delivery of broadcast and on-demand audio programming in adherence with departmental policies
- Provides technical backfill and troubleshooting assistance to Broadcast Applications Team (network automation) and IT Applications (content production tools, audio playout, etc.)
- Builds, maintains, and enhances tools, services, and databases to improve or automate processes using open source programming languages and frameworks (e.g. MEAN stack, Java, Python, FFmpeg, etc.)
- Researches, tests, and reports on new technology implementations and workflows
- Evaluates requests for audio engineering support and allocates resources accordingly
- Liaises with News Operations, content producers, and divisions across the organization to devise smooth technical transitions on special projects and new technology implementations
- Provides regular reporting and data analysis of NPR’s on-air performance
- Regularly embeds with audio engineering staff to evaluate workflow and training; provides feedback, recommends and advocates for system improvements, and provides gap analysis
- Maintains and regularly updates departmental resource guides
- Represents Audio Engineering division to internal stakeholders and outside partners
- Identifies and collects requirements for complex broadcasts and remotes; assists departmental staff with all associated logistics (travel, shipping, inventory, etc.)
- Recommends and, when appropriate, conducts staff training
- Creates reports and presentations for a variety of stakeholders
- Supervises 10+ union staff in full compliance with NPR/NABET collective bargaining agreement
QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of technology, production, media, audio and/or broadcast experience
- 3+ years of supervisory experience, team leadership, and/or product ownership
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Demonstrable history of effective staff leadership, development, and delegation
- Knowledge of broadcast systems and automation, routers, and production workflows
- Thorough understanding of audio engineering concepts, principles, tools and workflows
- Coding experience using open source programming languages and frameworks
- Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritize, and thrive in a 24×7 deadline driven environment
- Excellent communication skills (written, oral, documentation creation, etc.)
- Adept at identifying and solving complex technical and operational problems with poise and expertise
- Willingness to work off-hours and weekends as needed to support NPR’s programs and departmental staff
- Customer service focused mentality
- Ability to effectively translate technical topics and concepts to departmental staff, journalists, and executives
- Ability and desire to learn new systems, tools, and technologies as required
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Knowledge of audio transmission methods and protocols including: IP/ISDN, T1/E3 circuits, streaming, and AES67 AoIP
- Familiarity with digital audio workstations, drivers, operating systems, and collaborative production workflows
- Project management certification
- IT networking and/or service desk experience
- Familiarity with media asset management systems
- Previous experience working in production, broadcast, or transmission facilities
- Management / Leadership certifications
- Management experience within a union environment
- Familiarity with NPR’s content and the overall public media ecosystem
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All applications must include a resume and cover letter to be considered.