OPB – Oregon Public Broadcasting
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Research, recommend, plan, design and implement technical and equipment changes, as appropriate, to further enable OPB’s content creation and distribution.
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Oversee the procurement of equipment.
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Develop and implement appropriate routine and preventative maintenance programs and emergency response plans.
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When needed, perform preventative maintenance and emergency service in the Network Center and NW region.
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Maintain a good working knowledge of RF (high and low power systems for radio and TV), distribution networks, and Net Center systems and operation.
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Supervise, schedule and review NW region operational and maintenance staff, including day-to-day activities
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Set goals, timelines, milestones and follow progress of each project.
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Develop and manage operational and technical budgets. Assist the Director in meeting organizational and departmental goals.
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Gather data to be used in reports and as indicators for future planning.
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Build relationships with peers at other broadcast organizations and make contacts regarding service coordination, site leases, etc.
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Function as a resource and liaison between Technology and other departments (Content, Development, Marketing, etc).
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Working with the Member Center, respond to viewers/listeners, cable companies, etc. regarding reception problems.
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Supervises 5 technical staff (spends about 30% of their time in that capacity).
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As a supervisor, plan, assign, and approve work; respond to grievances; discipline/reward; recommend hiring; hire; recommend salary adjustments; and prepare and sign performance reviews.
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Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, including education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position (such as broadcast, video, audio or experience with large IP networks, etc.).
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Minimum of one (1) year strong supervisory and management experience
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Ability to maintain existing systems and equipment while envisioning and implementing new systems, equipment, etc. to meet changing needs of organization
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Ability to lead and teach others through the challenges of equipment management (installation, repair, maintenance, working through equipment failure, etc.).
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Creative thinker and problem solver with the ability to translate ideas into action.
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Skilled at providing customer service, which includes the ability to explain high level technical issues to a wide variety of colleagues, stakeholders, contractors, etc.
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Awareness and ability to understand federal regulations governing television and radio broadcasting.
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Capacity to effectively manage complex projects, large budgets (approximately $1 million) and meet deadlines.
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Familiarity working in IP including local area networking, file handling, and protocol management as it relates to the broadcast environment.
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Ability to design and troubleshoot file-based workflows
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Comfortable working in a rapidly changing technological environment.
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Ability to appropriately and professionally represent OPB in the community and interact with co-workers and the public in a professional manner.
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Strong computer skills, especially in Word and Excel, and the capacity to quickly learn new software programs.
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Effective oral and written communication skills
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Ability to meet working conditions and knowledge/ability to observe appropriate safety practices.
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Knowledge of or ability to learn how to do basic emergency mechanical repairs
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Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
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Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB.
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Experience with content management and the development of workflow and process for a media organization.
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Demonstrated experience effectively managing complex projects, large budgets, setting and accomplishing goals while managing dynamic priorities.
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Experience in RF, fiber distribution and remote transmitter site management
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Experience in encoding, playout, automation systems, and production systems on both radio and television
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SBE certification.
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Experience in Visio
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Competent operation of 4-wheel drive vehicle and/or tracked vehicle.
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This role is full time, benefits eligible, and unrepresented.
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The probable hiring range for this exempt role is $98,000-110,000 per year.
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This position has access to highly sensitive data and therefore must pass a background check.
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Go to OPB’s Job Board, located at OPB.org/careers.
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Click the NW Region Chief Engineer job posting.
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Click “Apply” at the bottom of the screen.
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You will be asked to create an account, upload your cover letter and resume, and answer a few required position-related questions.
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Once you click “submit” you cannot make changes to your application.
OPB – Oregon Public Broadcasting
Maintenance Engineer Eastern Region
Regular Full Time
Requisition ID: 1298
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 Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
The Opportunity:
The Field Maintenance Engineer is an onsite role working Monday through Friday. Quick response is needed for outages, including those caused by weather, planned maintenance, and system improvements. The position involves cross-training skills such as tower climbing, saw operation, driving, and first aid certification. Ideal candidates have strong technical aptitude, enjoy working outdoors, and demonstrate sound judgment, and a strong commitment to safety. Experience in hands-on field environments is highly transferable, as the technical aspects of the role can be taught.
The role is a balance between fieldwork and technical problem-solving. While tower climbing is only required about once a month, the job also includes troubleshooting equipment in-office. Experience with audio, video, or broadcast systems is preferred, along with the ability to install, troubleshoot, and repair electrical equipment. The role is best suited for self-motivated individuals who can work independently and collaborate effectively within a small, close-knit team.
Position Summary:
The Field Maintenance Engineer is a member of the Bend-based engineering team and is entrusted with a wide variety of duties supporting the Eastern Region of OPB’s statewide broadcast network. Our area of responsibility stretches from the Cascades to the Idaho border. This engineer works independently or with OPB staff and contractors on projects ranging from technical research, documentation, and test-bench equipment repairs to winter trips accessing remote transmitter sites for maintenance. We primarily work in digital television, FM radio, microwave, and fiber distribution. The engineer filling this position possesses methodical troubleshooting skills, safety awareness, and a spirit of adventure.
Areas of Responsibility:
30% Transmitter Site Maintenance
- Travel to transmitter sites in 4WD trucks or tracked snow vehicles, occasionally requiring hiking or snowshoeing
- Independently perform routine or emergency maintenance on equipment at transmitter sites, including TV, FM, and microwave air chains and controls, generators, building mechanical systems, and computer networks
- Erect, paint, reinforce, rebuild, or demolish site structures as necessary
- Trips are often 3-5 days long
- Perform basic vehicle maintenance as necessary
25% Planning and Documentation
- Document installations, upgrades, and operational parameters
- Update databases with plans, drawings, and diagrams of changes
- Partner with staff in planning and designing new systems
- Create and revise simple documents for managing equipment, tools, programs, libraries, and supplies
25% Field Services
- Represent OPB in routine interactions with viewers and listeners, vendors and contractors, fellow broadcasters and engineers, cable operators, utility companies, government agencies, emergency services personnel, and the people of the Pacific Northwest
20% Education
- Participate in on-the-job training directed by Chief Engineers in signal flow, transmitter function, the use of test equipment, and repair and maintenance of broadcast facilities
- Create training presentations contributing to staff learning activities
- First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness Emergency Medicine compulsory
- Tower climbing certification available
- Attendance when possible, at industry seminars
Working Conditions:
Conditions vary widely, from the Bend workshop to remote broadcast facilities across the state and include arduous travel and significant hands-on activity outdoors year-round. The position occasionally requires non-traditional work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays to respond to outages or emergencies. Travel to remote sites involves 4WD trucks and tracked snow-vehicles, and possibly the need to perform basic mechanical repairs. Non-ionizing radiation exists at all transmission sites, and high voltages are present in some equipment. This position requires challenging physical activity, including lifting up to 50 pounds, performing in inclement weather, tower climbing, and walking or snowshoeing at least 5 miles.
Minimum Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Four years combined involvement with A/V production, communications technology, electrical distribution, physical plant ops, systems engineering, or broadcast education
- Strong understanding of signal flow and troubleshooting fundamentals
- Detail-oriented and highly organized, able to work independently
- Willingness to work outdoors in challenging conditions, including backcountry travel and inclement weather, and to maintain OPB-provided certifications in First Aid, CPR, and wilderness emergency medicine
- Excellent interpersonal skills, a solution-oriented communicator that tactfully engages with colleagues, contractors, and our viewers and listeners
- Competent in Windows and Microsoft Office
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and experience with 4WD trucks and towing
- Familiar with vehicle maintenance, and with basic construction tasks and equipment
- Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB
Preferred Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Experience with the design, maintenance, and operation of TV & FM transmitters, or of related equipment such as cellular transceivers, spectrum analyzers, frame syncs and audio processors, IP network devices, radar/sonar, or military radios
- Experience operating tracked vehicles or other heavy equipment
- Familiarity with construction tasks, wiring, framing, siding, sheetrock, HVAC
- Tower climbing training
- Bachelor’s degree in related field such as Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or IT,CCNA
Additional Information:
- This position reports to the Eastern Region Chief Engineer.
- This role is union represented by SEIU and eligible for benefits.
- The probable hiring range for this exempt position is between $32.69-35.00 per hour depending on qualifications.
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 will remain open until filled; however, we will begin reviewing applications and scheduling interviews the week of July 20th, 2025.
OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.