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Broadcast Technicians

Also called: Master Control Operator (MCO), Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Technician, Engineer

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Air Force.

What they do:
Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate transmitter to broadcast radio or television programs.
On the job, you would:
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • Monitor and log transmitter readings.

Knowledge

Communications
  • telecommunications
  • multimedia
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development
Business
  • management
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things
Visual Understanding
  • see hidden patterns
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Achievement/Effort

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Video creation and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro software
  • Avid software
Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
some college or
high school diploma
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$36,570
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about broadcast technicians.