Audio Engineer

OVERVIEW

A thriving mission-driven multimedia organization NPR produces award-winning news information and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information creativity curiosity and social responsibility and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization were building a workplace where collaboration is essential diverse voices are heard and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR.This means that integrity adherence to our ethical standards and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro To Position

NPR seeks an Audio Engineer to join our Engineering Division. This position will work directly with journalists producers camera operators and engineers at NPR and throughout the public media system to ensure the production and delivery of high-quality audio and video in a timely and precise manner.

Primary duties include engineering live broadcasts of NPR programming audio restoration and repair recording and mixing audio for video Master Control operation troubleshooting technical problems and collaborating with reporters and producers in a variety of settings. Our engineers work in broadcast studios a master control facility and throughout the networked newsroom to provide technical support and guidance in a fast-paced deadline driven 24x7x365 production environment.

Our ideal candidate is a proactive courteous customer service focused audio expert who is passionate and curious about technology and believes in the mission of NPR.

This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with NABET.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and mix complex live broadcasts streaming content and pre-produced elements working with producers and directors in a high-pressure environment
• Promote and maintain NPRs quality standards by identifying and repairing impaired audio
• Analyze repair and mix audio on tight deadlines using common tools (equalizers compressors noise reduction etc.)
• QC mix and sweeten audio and video podcasts before publication using DAVID Systems MTE and AVID Pro Tools
• Monitor inbound and outbound content streams and associated automated play-out systems. Rectify technical outages and respond to programming schedule changes quickly and accurately
• Schedule connect and route media over a variety of IP transmission methods including Comrex Riverside Zoom etc.
• Test and ensure preparedness of in-house and remote broadcast and production systems
• Consult train and support journalists in the use of NPR technical facilities and remote recording and transmission equipment
• Teach and encourage best production practices and workflows
• Provide technical support for remote events including site assessment and venue coordination
• Troubleshoot unexpected situations confidently calmly and effectively
• Communicate clearly with both editorial and technical colleagues
• Keep abreast of current and emerging audio broadcast equipment systems and workflows
• Write and update documentation for user support guides
• Cultivate promote and advance diversity equity and inclusion in ones work and in the workplace
• Demonstrate awareness of intersectional identities and ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned and this job description can be modified at any time.

Required Skills

• Two years technical experience with audio production (radio and/or TV broadcast post production live sound reinforcement music recording theater ENG)
• Experience with AVID Pro Tools in a production environment
• Very strong grasp of fundamentals of audio engineering and signal flow
• Professional and courteous demeanor supporting a varied and demanding client base
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to author training guides and operating procedures
• Proven multitasking capabilities for fast approaching deadlines
• Proven ability to identify and correct audio impairments and mix audio to established loudness standards

Preferred Skills

• Broadcast experience preferably within public media
• Expert level understanding of AVID Pro Tools iZotope products and a variety of mixing consoles
• Mixing while taking live direction from editorial staff in a broadcast theater-tech sound reinforcement or similar context
• Advanced computer troubleshooting networking or software development abilities
• Experience with varied IP and smartphone audio transmission techniques
• Operation of scheduling and audio routing automation tools and matrix routers
• Field recording proficiency
• Music recording mixing and mastering expertise
• Audio for video post-production and sound design competence
• Teaching or training experience

ADDITIONAL:

The onboarding process for new hires includes substantial training and opportunities to shadow our audio engineering staff on a variety of shifts. Solid understanding of audio fundamentals and universal audio concepts is more important than expertise with specific systems.

Education

• Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred.

Work Location

• This is an on-site role based in Washington DC

Job Type

• This is a full time non exempt position.

Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $44.04 - 49.67 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPRs benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness paid time off and financial well-being. Plan options include medical dental vision life/ accidental death and dismemberment long-term disability short-term disability and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you If so we want to hear from you.

#LI-Onsite

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives all working toward the same goal to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race color ethnicity national origin ancestry age religion religious belief sex (including pregnancy childbirth and related medical conditions lactation and reproductive health decisions) sexual orientation gender gender identity or expression transgender status gender non-conforming status intersex status sexual stereotypes nationality citizenship status personal appearance marital status family status family responsibilities military status veteran status mental and physical disability medical condition genetic information genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member political views and affiliation unemployment status protective order status status as a victim of domestic violence sexual assault or stalking or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistancewith the application process please reach out to .

You may read NPRsto learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.

Want more NPR Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra social with NPR Extraon Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at Experience:

IC