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, we’re 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 Engineering Supervisor to oversee day-to-day operations at our broadcast facilities in Washington, D.C. This includes managing a team of audio engineers and allocating resources to support NPR’s content creation. This position is responsible for a wide range of technical and logistical duties, which include responding to 24x7x365 production and scheduling requests and rotating on-call duties during nights, weekends, and holidays. While primary responsibility for this role is associated with supervision of NPR’s Washington, D.C. based Audio Engineering team, this role will be part of a geographically distributed management group that collaborates to oversee Audio Engineering across NPR Headquarters and our bureaus in New York and Los Angeles, sharing on-call and backfill duties with both DC-based and bureau colleagues.

The successful candidate will be a proactive, collaborative individual with a background in audio engineering, broadcasting and audio/video podcasting, the ability and desire to learn new skills and technologies, and a belief in the mission of NPR. A history of empathetic leadership, interdisciplinary cooperation, and developing staff are key components of this position.

Responsibilities

Provide 24x7 immediate response to technology outages and/or staffing emergencies
Oversee technical aspects of content creation and broadcast operations at NPR Headquarters
Collaborate on development, training and enforcement of production workflows within the Audio Engineering team, as well as between multiple departments and locations
Maintain current service levels and high-quality standards for audio production
Build and maintain collaborative relationships across the organization, including regular engagement with content creators, support groups, and management to identify and anticipate needs and allocate resources accordingly
Manage, support, train, and develop a team of audio engineers whose work encompasses broadcast and digital content creation, including radio, audio and video podcasts, and video streaming
Advise teams on the use of NPR technologies, especially those related to audio processing, mixing and recording
Ensure compliance with the collective bargaining agreement between NPR and the NABET union
Contribute to writing and maintenance of documentation for critical broadcast and production systems and workflows
See to regular testing and maintenance of disaster recovery systems and recommend updates and modifications as required
Provide backup operational supervision and support to NPR’s Los Angeles and New York Audio Engineering teams
Lead hiring searches for Audio Engineering positions at NPR, participates in hiring process for positions in other NPR locations and departments as required
Supervise at least 12 direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions

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.

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of professional production, audio, and/or broadcast experience
3+ years of supervisory experience or team leadership
Effective on-site and remote team leadership, development, and delegation
Ability to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive workplace environment, where people from diverse backgrounds feel valued and able to do their best work
Effective staff leadership, development, and delegation, including during times of intense organizational change and industry transformation
Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritize, and thrive under remote supervision
Excellent communication skills (written, oral, documentation creation, etc.)
Customer service-focused mentality
Familiarity with emerging broadcast and audio technologies
Ability to effectively translate technical topics, workflows, and team needs to the editorial staff and management
Ability and desire to identify and learn new systems, tools, and technologies
Knowledge of broadcast systems and automation, audio/video routers, and production workflows
Thorough understanding of audio engineering concepts, principles, tools and workflows
Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritize, and thrive in a 24x7 deadline-driven environment
Adept at identifying and solving complex technical and operational problems with poise and expertise
Willingness to work off-hours and weekends as needed to support NPR’s programs and departmental staff

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with professional AOIP transmission protocols, software and hardware, such as Ravenna, AES67, Tieline, Comrex, etc.
Familiarity with IT networking topics
Familiarity with audio/video recording and editing platforms and associated workflows, especially AVID Pro Tools, Riverside/Descript, or Broadcast Bionics
Hands-on experience with no-code databases
Hands-on experience working in a broadcast studio and/or master control facilities
Hands-on experience with digital audio routing, analog and digital consoles, and matrix routing
Management experience within a union environment
Familiarity with NPR’s content and the overall public media ecosystem

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in broadcast engineering, content production, communications, or management

Work Location & Requirements

Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 2 days a week. The employee must also reside in an NPR-supported location based on the number of on-site days they choose.

Job Type

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $124,200 - $136,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR 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 NPR’s 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-Hybrid

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$124,200 - $136,000 USD

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 assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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