Media Technical Directors/Managers

What the job really is

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-2012
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
• Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
• Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
• Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
• Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
• Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
• Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
• Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
• Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.
• Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
• Direct technical aspects of newscasts and other productions, checking and switching between video sources and taking responsibility for the on-air product, including camera shots and graphics.

Tools and technology

Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Atlassian JIRA, C, C++, Facebook, Linux, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SQL Server

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Media Programming Directors
• Producers and Directors
• Project Management Specialists
• Film and Video Editors
• Information Technology Project Managers
• Art Directors
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Media Technical Directors/Managers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.