Digital Technical Manager

Full time, Regular, Exempt

Reports to:  Chief Technology Officer

JOB OBJECTIVE

The Digital Technical Manager plans, builds and supports the live streaming, editing, remote production and publishing systems at PBS NewsHour. This position supports both physical systems and cloud services, and works closely with the digital video production team and the assignment desk to create innovative solutions to ensure maximum news coverage and most efficient use of resources for the PBS NewsHour’s production teams.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support the PBS NewsHour’s remote digital video production infrastructure.
  • Manage and maintain dozens of live streaming encoders of various types that serve cloud and streaming video services.
  • Manage and maintain remote-accessible video production hardware including routers and switchers.
  • Oversee cloud services for editing, live streaming, and video review for digital production.
• Manage the PBS NewsHour’s remote broadcast review systems.
  • Manage and maintain encoders and systems that provide low-latency review feeds of PBS NewsHour news sources.
  • Develop remote review solutions for special events.
  • Manage cloud services for remote video review.
• Oversee video editing, production and live production workflows in desktop and the cloud.
  • Support video tools and utilities including Adobe software, Wirecast and other tools for video editing and live production.
  • Evaluate new solutions and develop workflow improvements for live and edited video production.
  • Evaluate new software, hardware, camera and other technologies to improve production.
• Coordinate video acquisition from a variety of external sources to feed into streaming servers.
  • Support video needs for daily evening broadcast and livestreams.
  • Ingest media, route video feeds, assign metadata, and work with technicians to ensure reporters and producers have access to viewing and editing material.
  • Ensure remote access to production staff needing access to various incoming streams.
• Monitor and react to news events.
  • Test stream integrity prior to major events and communicate key information to production teams.
  • Monitor stream integrity during major events, troubleshooting issues as they arise. 
  • Coordinate and communicate issues and solutions quickly to key WETA and NewsHour personnel.
• Manage, stage and setup IP, PTZ and other remote camera technologies.
• Manage closed captioning needs for live and other digital video.
• Coordinate digital and remote broadcast video solutions with the broader broadcast, engineering and IT staff.
• Work on special projects or other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to multi-task and maintain a calm demeanor under pressure required.
• Technical aptitude to quickly troubleshoot & solve technical issues under tight deadlines
• Excellent communication, negotiation, troubleshooting, and relationship building skills.
• Flexibility to work nights as required (with breaking news).
• Positive, team player attitude.
• Strategic thinker – finding out of the box solutions.
• Ability to prioritize workload.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 5 years digital video, television, broadcast or equivalent experience.
• Experience with cloud streaming services/CDNs such as Wowza, Amazon, Restream).
• Experience and knowledge of closed captioning technologies, live and VOD.
• Experience and knowledge of basic networking and remote access protocols.
• Experience with video production and Adobe Premier is preferred.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations.  We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA.  WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible.  Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.

VACCINATION POLICY

WETA and NewsHour Productions prioritizes the safety and security of our community.   In accordance with our focus on providing and maintaining a safe workplace, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees working in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office and employees who may reasonably or occasionally be called to work onsite, subject to business needs.

In accordance with this policy, all applicants for employment in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment.  Requests for exemption from this policy based on a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief will be considered upon a conditional offer of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

WETA and NewsHour Productions is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.

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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships.  WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.