About Us:

Blue Ridge Public Radio exists to provide Western North Carolinians with a deeper understanding of one another and the world, by being the essential, independent sources of news and cultural content. The most-listened to radio station in the exciting Asheville, NC market, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) is the NPR affiliate for the region, providing public media service through its digital platforms and two radio stations– BPR News and BPR Classic – across a 13-county region in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The station maintains 19 broadcast facilities. Our newly renovated, state-of-the-art studios are in downtown Asheville, a city in the heart of the beautiful Appalachian and Smoky Mountains. Regularly included in one of the most desirable places to live in the country, Asheville offers a vibrant local food scene, incredibly diverse live music landscape, and endless outdoor recreation.

Blue Ridge Public Radio is actively working to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at all levels of its operations – internally and externally - and is committed to equitable policies and practices. We strongly encourage members of traditionally under-served and under-represented communities to apply to our open positions.

Summary:

The Director of Broadcast Tech, Engineering and Operations is responsible for the day-to-day technical/delivery of the signal & programming to the audience supervising BPR’s Technology, Engineering, and Operations personnel. Directly oversees the safe and effective operation of BPR’s broadcast systems, computer, software and networking, telecommunications and BPR’s overall technical infrastructure, as well as systems and data administration (including the operations of the automation system).

This position plans, implements, operates, and maintains the technical infrastructure of the radio facility and as the designated Chief Operator for FCC operational compliance and performs a variety of functions related to transmitter construction, transmitter maintenance, computer and network infrastructure maintenance, regulatory compliance, and property management. This position requires a broad range of knowledge and experience in electronics, radio frequency transmission, property and vehicle maintenance, and safety issues. This position requires extensive travel throughout Western North Carolina, and some travel outside the state and is on-call 24/7/365 and responds to emergency needs when they arise.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and/or some combination of education and at least 10 years of relevant experience, including several years of supervisory or managerial experience. SBE or other comparable industry certification preferred. Valid driver’s license required.

Essential Skills:

Strong organizational, communications (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills required.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with ability to conceive, plan and manage multiple projects.

Ability to recognize, acknowledge and effectively make use the skills of other team members, employees, and contractors to carry out responsibilities.

Ability to research industry trends in technology to stay current with technical developments on a continuous basis.

Ability to explain complex technical issues that affect the overall strategic plan and station operation in a way that the essential importance of the issues can be grasped by non-technical persons in a meaningful way.

Ability to understand the technical nature of the work of those under his/her supervision sufficiently to provide planning, guidance, opportunities for training as needed, and to ensure as safe a working environment as possible under sometimes difficult conditions.

Ability to continue learning and adapting to an increasingly changing technical landscape – through participation in professional organizations and societies, technical training, seminars and industry conventions, and personal reading and research.

The Director of Technology and Engineering is a hands-on leadership role requiring intimate knowledge of the scope and practice of the field. It will be necessary to fulfill the duties of multiple roles including but not limited to Chief Engineer, Broadcast Engineer, Systems Administrator, and IT Support Specialist in order to fulfill the requirements of the role for BPR.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises and evaluates BPR employees and contractors working in the Technology, Engineering, and Operations (broadcast automation) departments.

Position Requirements

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, walk, sit for extended periods, travel, and occasionally stand, use hands to feet, to climb and hold and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Ability to operate on and off-road vehicles including 4WD vehicles with snow chains and ATVs (tracked or wheeled) safely in various weather conditions is necessary.

The environment for this position varies substantially from office to transmission site locations in various weather conditions. Travel to sites for the purpose of surveying projects, evaluating progress or future needs, and occasionally filling in for other Engineering technical staff is often necessary. There may be times when this activity is during non-standard hours, or during inclement weather.

The ability to perform remote access administration via telephone and/or computer networks is required.

Due to the nature of broadcasting, the carrying of a cellular phone and portable computer is required.

Compensation and benefits:

• The salary range is $80,000-$100,000 per year based on experience.

In addition to salary and Worker’s Compensation Insurance, BPR offers a compensation package that includes the following benefits:

• Employer Paid Health Insurance (BPR pays 80%, 20% pre-tax employee contribution)

• Access to Optional Group Vision and Dental coverage at employee cost

• 403(b) Retirement Plan Match up to 5% after 90 days

• Smart/Mobile Phone Stipend

• Short-Term Disability

• Long-Term Disability

• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

• Long-Term Care Insurance

• 12 days Paid Vacation in Year One, 17 days in Years 2-5 and 20 days for Years 6+

• 10 days of Sick Leave per year

• 10 Paid Holidays per year

• Parking

Location:

The position is location-based in or near Asheville, NC. Currently, staff members have the option to work two days per week remotely and are required to work three days in the office in Asheville.

EEO:

Equal Employment Opportunity: WCQS provides equal employment opportunity for all qualified current and prospective employees without distinction or discrimination based on of age, gender (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, color, race, national origin, religion, disability, military service or veteran status, or other characteristic(s) protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. This policy is reflected in all WCQS practices and policies.