Media technical directors/managers coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

  • 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.
  • Follow instructions from production managers and directors during productions, such as commands for camera cuts, effects, graphics, and takes.
  • Set up and execute video transitions and special effects, such as fades, dissolves, cuts, keys, and supers, using computers to manipulate pictures as necessary.
  • Discuss filter options, lens choices, and the visual effects of objects being filmed with photography directors and video operators.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 94% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Time Pressure — 86% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 81% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 81% responded "Extremely important".
  • Telephone — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 77% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Direct productions or performances.
  • Inspect communications or broadcasting equipment.
  • Monitor broadcasting operations to ensure proper functioning.
  • Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
  • Manage content of broadcasts or presentations.
  • Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
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Knowledge

Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Video creation and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects Hot Technology
  • YouTube Hot Technology
  • The Associated Press ENPS
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Side Effects Houdini
  • Avid Technology
  • Avid Technology Media Composer
  • Character generator software
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
  • MailChimp
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