Creative and design
Broadcast and media systems technician
Ensure the reliability and integrity of broadcast and media systems critical to the delivery of TV, radio and online services; in a broadcast industry.
Summary
This occupation is found in the Broadcast, Media and Entertainment industries.
Technicians will typically work for a broadcaster or media services supplier or broadcast equipment supplier/manufacturer.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure the reliability and integrity of broadcast and media systems critical to the delivery of TV, radio and online services; in a broadcast industry which operates 24/7. It’s fast paced, dynamic and constantly changing. Technicians need to be able to respond quickly to problems, faults and the loss or impairment of services to ensure customers experience the best possible service. Broadcast and Media Systems Technicians need to know and understand the maintenance characteristics that are particularly critical to the broadcast and media equipment or system, including electrical, electronic, mechanical, software, environmental and ergonomics. They are also responsible for ensuring broadcast and media systems modifications and upgrades are delivered in line with agreed timescales and to industry specification.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with broadcast technical operators, broadcast engineers, customers and suppliers. They will be expected to work autonomously and take sole responsibility for making decisions about ongoing maintenance versus replacement and the implications of this such as cost, downtime and reliability. They will also be expected to take ownership to resolve and/or escalate faults and incidents following the correct company procedures. Broadcast and Media Systems Technicians must also be able to provide technical advice and support to users and operators of broadcast and media systems in line with service level agreements.
This role could be located in a broadcast or operations centre, at customer premises, playout operations, outside broadcast units, transmitter sites, production control rooms or IP Networks or Software Support. Operating and maintaining these systems is demanding,and may require out of hours working through shift working or on call rotas.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for operating and maintaining the broadcast and media systems which underpin the media and entertainment industry.
Core duties include:
- Carrying out planned maintenance
- Carrying out corrective maintenance
- Complying with Health and Safety
- Maintaining Broadcast and Media Systems test equipment
- Undertaking Broadcast and Media Systems testing
- Providing technical advice and support to users and operators of Broadcast and Media Systems
- Data management and reporting for Broadcast and Media Systems
- Maintaining professional competence in Broadcast and Media Systems
- Supporting system modifications and upgrades
- Operating broadcast and media transfer/playout or export
Typical job titles include
- Communications Technician | Maintenance Technician | Master Control Room Operator
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Know where to source the correct maintenance procedures and schedules relevant to own role
K2:
How to obtain functional and specification documentation such as equipment manuals, system specifications, manufacturers’ maintenance plans, design documents, fault logs/databases, regulatory requirements, functional specifications and operational handbooks for maintenance
K3:
Understand the maintenance characteristics that are particularly critical to the broadcast and media equipment or system, including electrical, electronic, mechanical, software, environmental and ergonomics
K4:
Understand the safe systems of work and isolation for working on antennas, high voltage, power boards, switchboards and uninterruptable power supplies
K5:
Know and understand the factors affecting decisions about ongoing maintenance versus replacement, including cost, downtime, reliability
K6:
How to connect broadcast systems and equipment to IT systems
K7:
Understand the types of faults that may occur in broadcast and media systems and how to identify these
K8:
How to conduct root cause analysis
K9:
Why it is important to minimise equipment and systems downtime, and to solve problems quickly e.g. loss of service and potential reputational damage, or financial penalties for breach of service level agreements
K10:
Know and understand own Business Continuity procedures
K11:
Know and understand own workplace Health and Safety legislation, processes and procedures
K12:
Know how to safely use and maintain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tools and equipment
K13:
Understand the company procedures for reporting hazards and risks to the appropriate personnel
K14:
Understand the main hazards to personal health and safety within own role such as electrical voltage and radio frequencies (RF)
K15:
Understand the different types and uses of broadcast and media systems test equipment such as analysers or meters
K16:
Know and understand the importance of keeping testing equipment clean and accurately calibrated
K17:
Understand the correct procedures for storing and transporting testing equipment
K18:
Know and understand how to use the testing equipment correctly and safely
K19:
Know when, and who to report faults with the testing equipment to
K20:
Understand elementary analogue and digital electronic techniques
K21:
Understand the fundamentals of digital signals, coding techniques, modulation and multiplexing techniques and fibre optic communication
K22:
Understand Radio Frequency (RF) communication principles, wave propagation, transmission media and RF radiators
K23:
Understand the principles, techniques and applications of computer network systems, ethernet and IP technology, network components, server systems, virtualisation and remote access technology
K24:
Understand the purpose, benefits, limitations and risks of the different equipment and software required for broadcast and media systems and when it is appropriate to use them
K25:
How to operate the broadcast and media systems, software and equipment required
K26:
Know the types of problem that can occur with the operation of broadcast and media systems such as loss of power, signal degradation, overheating etc.
K27:
How to prioritise operational problems and why it is important to solve a problem quickly
K28:
Understand the technical quality of service requirements that affect your work
K29:
Understand how to adapt communication style and supporting information to meet audience requirements
K30:
Understand how to identify and advise on the most effective and realistic solution in each circumstance, taking constraints into account
K31:
Understand the importance of and methods for, organising and storing information such as written descriptions, diagrams, note taking from meetings, feedback from reports, presentations and change control
K32:
Understand how to use the organisational recording systems correctly
K33:
Understand broadcast technical operations, technical systems and equipment and the context of their use in workplace activities
K34:
Understand the broadcasting and media systems industry; its heritage and its future direction.
K35:
Know how to use resources, such as online sites, to update knowledge and find out what others are doing
K36:
Understand how and when to ask questions to improve your practice
K37:
Understand the principles of design, architecture, development and maintenance of broadcast and media systems and networks
K38:
Understand the brief for the work and how to interpret requirements and parameters as provided by the customer or line manager, or project manager and/or senior engineer
K39:
Understand the file transfer protocols, relating to broadcast and media systems, software and equipment including file access rights
K40:
Know how to connect broadcast and media systems and equipment to networks
K41:
Know and understand the appropriate formats required for different broadcast methods such as Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard (JPEG) or Moving Picture Experts Group Standard (MPEG) files or MP3 (audio format of MPEG)
K42:
How to protect content and the importance of information security
Technical Educational Products
- ST0425: Broadcast and media systems technician (Level 5) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0425
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £42,440 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5249/01 Broadcast and communications technicians
- 2124/01 Broadcast engineers (professional)
- 3417/99 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators n.e.c.
- 5243/00 TV, video and audio servicers and repairers
S1:
Conduct planned maintenance on all systems in line with organisational procedures
S2:
Ensure maintenance work complies with all relevant regulations and guidelines
S3:
Take prompt action to respond to and diagnose any problems encountered
S4:
Record maintenance carried out and actions taken in appropriate systems in line with organisational procedures
S5:
Identify problems to broadcast media service or systems, conducting in-depth root cause analysis and fault finding as required
S6:
Take ownership to resolve and/or escalate faults and incidents following the correct company procedures
S7:
Communicate fault conditions in a timely manner, to colleagues, customers and service suppliers
S8:
Log faults and report them to the relevant operational business area
S9:
Comply with organisational Health and Safety policies, practices and procedures
S10:
Identify, mitigate and report any incidents or risks to the appropriate personnel
S11:
Complete Risk Assessments for tasks and work activities within and relevant to, own role
S12:
Work safely and follow procedures for working on antennas, high voltage, power boards, switchboards and with uninterruptable power supplies
S13:
Identify and obtain the appropriate test equipment required
S14:
Ensure the equipment is in working condition and calibrated correctly
S15:
Safely transport and store the testing equipment in line with organisational procedures
S16:
Report any faults with the test equipment, rectifying these if appropriate
S17:
Test and evaluate the performance of electronic circuits
S18:
Use software and hardware diagnostics tools and connectivity protocols to interface and integrate broadcast systems
S19:
Use test equipment correctly, evaluating results and taking the appropriate course of action
S20:
Interconnect and trouble-shoot video and audio signals
S21:
Identify and advise on the most effective and realistic solution in each circumstance taking into account constraints
S22:
Use a level of technical terminology that meets the technical understanding of the person receiving the advice
S23:
Adapt your communications style according to the audience
S24:
Use supporting information that aids others’ understanding of advice when required such as system diagrams
S25:
Check that the advice given complies with all relevant regulations and guidelines
S26:
Ensure the delivery of systems/services to customers in line with agree service levels
S27:
Comply with organisational systems for reporting and recording information
S28:
Ensure records relating to planned and corrective maintenance are correctly completed and updated
S29:
Create and maintain a professional development record to document progress against key competencies and enable effective learning from the workplace
S30:
Seek help or advice from appropriate people or information sources when limitations in your knowledge or expertise will impact on your work
S31:
Seek out learning and networking opportunities that will be most beneficial to you
S32:
Remain flexible, adaptable and positive to new directions, creative requirements and technical developments
S33:
Check that specifications are capable of being implemented and operated
S34:
Implement upgrades or modifications in line with organisational procedures and specification
S35:
Check ingested data or transport streams against workflow requirements
S36:
Operate broadcast and media systems using methods and procedures that meet requirements
S37:
Comply with the organisational processes for ensuring physical and electronic security of data and systems
S38:
Play out or export media in line with requirements
S39:
Check that outputs of broadcast and media systems comply with specifications, regulations, standards, guidelines and procedures
Technical Educational Products
- ST0425: Broadcast and media systems technician (Level 5) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0425
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £42,440 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5249/01 Broadcast and communications technicians
- 2124/01 Broadcast engineers (professional)
- 3417/99 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators n.e.c.
- 5243/00 TV, video and audio servicers and repairers
B1:
A strong work ethic and commitment to meet the standards required
B2:
Desire to expand technical knowledge, and passion for working with broadcast and media systems
B3:
Thinking creatively and logically to solve technical issues - contributing to a process of continual improvement
B4:
Recognition and compliance with workplace legislation, policies and procedures
B5:
Displaying confidence in their approach to communicating with different audiences
B6:
Building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers
Technical Educational Products
- ST0425: Broadcast and media systems technician (Level 5) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0425
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £42,440 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5249/01 Broadcast and communications technicians
- 2124/01 Broadcast engineers (professional)
- 3417/99 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators n.e.c.
- 5243/00 TV, video and audio servicers and repairers