Job Opportunities at OPB

At the center of a uniquely engaged Northwest culture is OPB. We are the hub of a community that thrives on dialogue, public involvement, respect and a love for this place we call home.

As a premier public media organization in the United States, we know that our success depends on what we do to serve the people who live here.

At OPB, we develop new ways to engage people through media. We create award-winning content, report on news that matters, and aggregate the best national and international stories and programs. We distribute it all on multiple platforms—with a robust technical backbone that allows viewers and listeners to find us anywhere, at any time. And, we do it all with a singular Northwest style and perspective.

OPB is meeting the future head on by expanding our vision and adopting forward-thinking ways of working that will serve as a model for the rest of the country.

Open Positions

Fill-In Radio Announcer

OPB seeks a skilled Fill-In Radio Announcer. This temporary position earns $17 to $21 an hour, depending on qualifications.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

This position on OPB Radio announces program continuity, prepares and delivers on-air newscasts, newsbreaks and weather in accordance with OPB's news standards. The fill-in announcer also monitors OPB Radio broadcasts during shift, responds to concerns/problems associated with broadcast content and to emergency and technical situations during shift. May serve as a part of OPB's on-air fundraising team.

Working Conditions:

This position in OPB's Portland studios is scheduled at least once a week and for additional shifts as needed. A typical shift for this position ranges from 4 to 8 hours on weekends and/or late weeknights with the possibility of some weekday afternoons. Hours can be weekday mornings (5a-9a), middays (9a-3p) and/or weeknights (6p-10p). Weekend shifts may include early mornings (4:30a-Noon), middays (Noon-6p) or nights (6p-11p). Work is done in an office or studio using office, broadcast (and possibly production) equipment. Some lifting and carrying of equipment may be required, up to 25 pounds.

Position Requirements:

• Radio Broadcast experience as announcer/board operator
• Pleasant voice and excellent on-air reading skills
• Excellent writing and listening skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle newscasts and breaks within a program clock
• Experience editing and reading news for newscasts
• Must be capable of and have experience with operating digital broadcast equipment
• Must be computer literate
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Able to make appropriate decisions under stress
• Ability to work with a wide variety of disciplines (reporters, spot editors, associate news director and weekday hosts)
• Must demonstrate a strong commitment to service and an aptitude for public broadcasting
• Genuine enthusiasm for the services and mission of OPB

Preferred (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes)

• Radio production experience
• Familiarity with and ability to participate in social media associated with OPB News

To apply:

• Send your resume, a cover letter that provides specific information regarding your experience as an announcer, and an audio sample of your on-air work (as an attachment, link or CD) to hr@opb.org or OPB Human Resources, 7140 SW Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97219.
• Please keep in mind that recruitment materials will not be returned and that we are unable to accept emails with attachments over 10 MB.
• This position is open until filled.

Chief Engineer Medford

OPB seeks someone excited about broadcast engineering and the possibilities of the evolving broadcast industry to be our Chief Engineer in Medford. This position is a member of the RF team, with Chief Engineers and Maintenance Engineers located in Bend, Corvallis, La Grande, Medford and Portland. This salaried, exempt position is a full-time, regular status position with benefits.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

In support of OPB's mission, the Chief Engineer is responsible for the operation, maintenance and regulatory compliance of the SOPTV production, master control and transmission facilities. This includes high-power VHF/UHF television transmitters. The position is also responsible for maintenance and repair of all microwave and translator systems in the SOPTV region. This position is a member of the RF team.

Working Conditions:

Position is based in SOPTV's facility, located in Medford. Work is split between RF systems and production/master control facilities. Work involves varying shifts with possible callouts on a 24-hour basis, including weekends and holidays. Travel and work at remote sites requires the operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles as well as tracked snow vehicles. The work will involve the use of hand tools, electronic test equipment, and power tools, including chain saws. The work may require extreme physical activity, including tower climbing, walking/hiking/snowshoeing extended distances for lengthy periods of time, and working in inclement weather conditions. The work may involve working alone in remote locations and potential exposure to high voltages and radio frequency radiation is possible at most sites. This position must observe appropriate safety practices.

Position Requirements:

• Five years of experience in broadcast engineering, including some experience maintaining and servicing RF transmission systems.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing technological environment.
• Knowledge including technical design, construction, maintenance and operation of RF transmission and broadcast systems.
• Knowledge of video and broadcast fundamentals including broadcast digital video, broadcast digital formats (Serial Digital and ASI) and digital audio.
• Successful experience as a supervisor and/or as a project management leader.
• Successful experience in change management, including experience and demonstrated competency working and leading employees in a changing technical environment.
• Experience planning for current and future projects, including ability to successfully manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to work alone and demonstrable display of resourcefulness, independence and ability to be a self-starter.
• Ability to document systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to interact with co-workers and the general public in a professional manner.
• Physical fitness and experience in working outdoors in inclement weather, including knowledge/ability to observe appropriate safety practices.
• Competent operation of 4-wheel drive vehicle (with and without chains) and experience with or ability to learn how to operate tracked snow vehicles.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Strong computer skills, especially in Word and Excel, and a capacity to quickly learn new software programs.
• Ability to perform basic maintenance of tracked snow vehicles.
• Ability to use hand tools safely.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the services and missions of OPB and SOPTV.

Preferred (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes)

• Experience in lead engineer role.
• Ability to troubleshoot the digital transmission system at the IP level, including digital signal analysis and the multiple levels of the digital stream at the packet level.
• Understand digital video theory, digital video files formats, and digital video distribution.
• SBE certification.

To apply:

• Please send an email or letter of interest requesting the instructions on how to apply for this position (Chief Engineer Medford) and where you first learned of this job opening to hr@opb.org or OPB Human Resources, 7140 SW Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97219.
• Instructions on how to apply will be sent within 24 hours of receiving the letter of interest Monday through Friday. If a letter of interest is sent over the weekend or a holiday, application instructions will be sent by the end of the next business day.
• This position is open until filled. Early application is recommended

Chief Engineer La Grande

OPB seeks someone excited about broadcast engineering and maintaining a statewide broadcast presence to be our Chief Engineer in La Grande. This position is a member of the RF team, with Chief Engineers and Maintenance Engineers located in Bend, Corvallis, La Grande, Medford and Portland. This salaried, exempt position is a full-time, regular status position with benefits.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

In support of OPB's mission, the Chief Engineer is responsible for the operation, maintenance and regulatory compliance of the KTVR-TV/DTV/FM, KRBM, & KOBK transmission facilities. This includes high-power FM radio and high-power VHF television transmitters. The position is also responsible for maintenance and repair of all microwave and translator systems in the region stretching from the mid-Columbia Gorge on the west to Ontario on the east. This position is part of the RF team, with Chief Engineers and Maintenance Engineers located in Bend, Corvallis, La Grande, Medford and Portland.

Working Conditions:

This position is one of two positions based out of the La Grande warehouse. Much of the work will be at transmission facilities and involves varying shifts with possible callouts on a 24-hour basis, including weekends and holidays. Travel and work at remote sites requires the operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles as well as tracked snow vehicles. The work may require extreme physical activity, including tower climbing, walking/hiking/snowshoeing extended distances for lengthy periods of time, and working in inclement weather conditions. The work will involve the use of hand tools, electronic test equipment, and power tools, including chain saws. The work may involve working alone in remote locations and exposure to high voltages and NIER is possible.

Position Requirements:

• Five years of experience maintaining and servicing RF transmission systems.
• Knowledge of RF systems (antenna, transmission lines, transmitters, receivers, etc.).
• Knowledge of technical design, construction maintenance and operation of RF transmission and broadcast systems.
• Successful experience as a supervisor and as a project management leader.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing technological environment.
• Successful experience in change management, including experience and demonstrated competency working and leading employees in a changing technical environment.
• Experience planning for current and future projects, including ability to successfully manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to work alone and demonstrable display of resourcefulness, independence and ability to be a self-starter.
• Ability to document systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to appropriately and professionally represent OPB in the community and interact with co-workers and the general public in a professional manner.
• Physical fitness and experience in working outdoors in inclement weather, including knowledge/ability to observe appropriate safety practices.
• Competent operation of 4-wheel drive vehicle (with and without chains) and experience with or ability to learn how to operate tracked snow vehicles.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Strong computer skills, especially in Word and Excel, and a capacity to quickly learn new software programs.
• Ability to perform basic maintenance of tracked snow vehicles.
• Ability to use hand tools safely.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the services and missions of OPB and SOPTV.

Preferred (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes)

• Experience in lead engineer role.
• SBE certification.

To apply:

• Please send an email or letter of interest requesting the instructions on how to apply for this position (Chief Engineer La Grande) and where you first learned of this job opening to hr@opb.org or OPB Human Resources, 7140 SW Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97219.
• Instructions on how to apply will be sent within 24 hours of receiving the letter of interest Monday through Friday. If a letter of interest is sent over the weekend or a holiday, application instructions will be sent by the end of the next business day.
• This position is open until filled. Early application is recommended

Site Manager, Skyline Tower

OPB seeks an experienced Site Manager for the Skyline Tower site. This position develops and administers operating and capital budgets, plans and coordinates site maintenance, coordinates site entry, etc. This salaried, exempt position is a full-time, regular status position with benefits.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

• Manage the Skyline tower site, ensuring it is maintained according to the expectations of management and is in compliance with all relevant rules, regulations and laws.
• Develop and administer annual operating and capital budgets as approved by management.
• Maintain regular communication with management, including coordination on site decisions.
• Plan and coordinate site maintenance, repair and upgrades. Maintain documentation.
• Provide basic maintenance for site, equipment inspections, and compliance tracking.
• Coordinate all site entry and security, ensuring the qualifications of vendors and others who visit the site and access the tower. This includes making sure tower climbers have appropriate qualifications and permits.
• Respond to emergencies 24 hours/day, 7 days a week, facilitating appropriate and timely response.
• Facilitate completion and ongoing management of the tower's emergency action plan.
• Market the site to potential tenants. Respond to inquiries and, as requested, facilitate negotiations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

This position spends the majority of time in the building at the transmission site using a computer and telephone. Must be able to provide access to site as needed with the ability to respond promptly 24/7 days a week in emergencies. Must be able to lift or move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Potential exposure to high voltages and radio frequency radiation is possible. The work will involve the safe and proper use of hand tools, electronic test equipment, power tools, including chain saws, and appropriate safety gear.

Position Requirements:

• Five years transmitter or tower site management experience or similar relevant experience.
• Experience managing projects.
• Experience in developing and managing operating and capital budgets.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Ability to interact with management, independent contractors, temporary employees and the general public in a professional manner.
• Ability to work alone with an appropriate level of resourcefulness, independence, and safety, and ability to be a self-starter.
• Ability to troubleshoot and provide basic repairs for building and technical systems.
• Ability to use tools safely.
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong computer skills, especially in Word and Excel, and a capacity to quickly learn new software programs.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing technological environment.

To apply:

• Please send your resume and a cover letter that provides specific information regarding your experience managing a transmitter or tower site (or similar relevant experience) to hr@opb.org or OPB Human Resources, 7140 SW Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97219.
• This position is open until filled. Early application is recommended.

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If your organization would like to be added to our contact list for future job openings so you can refer qualified applicants, please email us with your contact information at hr@opb.org.

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OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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