ROLE TITLE
Broadcast Engineer/Technical Operator Apprentice, BBC Technology
Operations (2 positions available)
START DATE
September 2011
LOCATION
Salford Quays
PAY
Pay: £8K per annum for 16-17 yrs old, £11.1K per annum for 18+ yrs old
REPORTS TO
Technology Organiser/Project Leader, Technology Operations
ABOUT THE
DEPARTMENT
Technology Operations (Tech Ops) is part of the Broadcast and Enterprise
Technology Group within the Technology Division. For BBC North, Technology
Operations is responsible for keeping multi-media output available 24/7 for News,
Sport, Children’s, Regional Local Programmes and Audio & Music. Tech Ops also
provides monitoring of incoming and outgoing live and pre-recorded material
across a range of BBC output, business continuity, broadcast duty management
and a range of operational support services.
AIM OF THE
ROLE
To engage and assist in a range of broadcast and IT operations / equipment,
provide technical support and offer original suggestions to any technical problems
that might occur during operational and programme activities in Network
Production Centres, Regional Centres and Local Radio Stations. The successful
applicant must possess the aptitude and willingness to work across what is a
broad range of Broadcast Engineering activities and also must have the ability to
take on some technical operational tasks.
WHAT YOU’LL BE
DOING
Over the course of your apprenticeship you will build your skills and knowledge to
be able to successfully:
 Interpret and diagnose technical problems from a range of sources.
 Understand the operation of technical equipment (eg. radio sound desk) and the
context of its use in production and broadcast activities.
 Undertake operational duties, such as attending incidents requiring technical
investigation, where required
CONTRACT
LENGTH & HOURS
18 months; Full time
It is essential you:
 Work safely at all times, complying with BBC and statutory safety requirements
and to conduct a range of safety tests, risk and hazard assessments.
 Work flexibly and willingly, responding as required to occasional out of hours
problems.
 Remain involved with an understanding of the BBC Broadcast continuity and
emergency procedures.
June 2011
ROLE TITLE
WHAT WE
EXPECT FROM
YOU
Broadcast Engineer/Technical Operator Apprentice, BBC Technology
Operations (2 positions available)
The type of person we’re looking for would have the interest in/ability to:
 Simplify and systematically analyse and evaluate technical problems
 Communicate clearly with a range of people at different levels of the organisation
and explain and discuss technical issues using a range of styles, tools and
techniques
 Take initiative, get things done without being asked (being proactive) and be
responsible for one’s own decisions
 Get involved and build an understanding of he needs of production and
operational departments
 Effectively plan and co-ordinate own activities, and work in a team.
You should have:
 A keen and proven interest in broadcasting and broadcast technology, and how
television and radio content is made
 Commitment to gaining your apprenticeship qualification through attending
college when required and completing related work
Desirable Knowledge:
 Knowledge of personal computers, servers, IT systems and networks
 A demonstrable interest or practical experience in engineering and technical
operations. This would include evidence of previous technical aptitude
WHAT WE’LL
OFFER YOU








Chance to build your skills, confidence and experience working within the
technical and broadcast engineering side of production, gaining an excellent
start to your career
Access and support in gaining an Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media
(equivalent to two A Levels)
A formal induction process
Mentoring by a member of BBC staff and regular guidance and development
reviews to ensure everything is going well and you’re getting the most out of
the experience
On the job training as required
Opportunities to see what goes into the making of TV, Radio and online
programmes
The opportunity to apply for internal jobs at the end of your Apprenticeship
A role working within new, state-of-the-art buildings; being part of friendly and
supportive teams; and being involved with a huge, new and exciting part of
the BBC’s history
June 2011
ROLE TITLE
FURTHER
INFORMATION
Broadcast Engineer/Technical Operator Apprentice, BBC Technology
Operations (2 positions available)
BBC Departments that Tech Ops North supports:
Network and Local Radio: MediaCityUK will be the main base for BBC Radio 5
live and BBC Manchester. In addition to this Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6Music produce
some of their content from the site and Tech Ops North also supports other BBC
Local Radio produced in the North West of England. For these departments, Tech
Ops North provides both studio support and assistance with Audio Edit & Playout
systems used in the production of radio programmes.
Television Production: MediaCityUK will also be home to BBC Children’s, BBC
Learning, Entertainment Productions Manchester, BBC Comedy North, BBC
Religion & Ethics, Drama North and Current Affairs. Tech Ops North will work
closely with these departments to support their television programme production
work in the office, the studio and out on location.
Sport: BBC Sport is making MediaCityUK its new home and will mostly be based
in the same building as Tech Ops North. Our support relationship covers all of the
platforms they produce content for, from the Sport Online services to their TV
programmes including Match of the Day and Football Focus.
News: BBC Breakfast will be making the move to MediaCityUK in 2012 and ahead
of this Tech Ops North will be supporting local news programme North West
Tonight along with other popular Local and Regional Programming including Inside
Out and The Politics Show.
Other Technology Departments: Along with supporting the BBC’s production
departments, Tech Ops North has close ties to the BBC’s technology development
departments who work on how the BBC Audience can receive the programmes
and content produced. Eg. the Red Button Technology and BBC iPlayer.
As part of the Apprenticeship there will be opportunity to engage with these BBC
departments, including Future Media, Broadcast & Enterprise Technology,
Research & Development and Information & Archives.
Support Partners: Technology Operations, BBC North are one of a number of
Support Partners to the programme and output teams based out of MediaCityUK,
Salford Quays. All Support Partners are committed to working to an Integrated
Support Model to provide excellent customer service including MediaCityUK
Studios Ltd; Balfour Beatty Workplace (facilities management) and Siemens (for
desktop, telephony and network).
FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO APPLY:
www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/north/apprenticeships
June 2011