How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Dean of Students Office promotes student development and enhances the experience of undergraduate and graduate students through programs, services, partnerships/connections, and policy development that promote an inclusive campus climate and facilitate the successful navigation of campus life. The core work of the Dean of Students Office includes promoting a safe and respectful campus community, enhancing students' Michigan experience, providing support services and managing critical incidents impacting students and the campus community, and recognizing and responding to the emerging needs within the student population.
The U-M campus radio station, WCBN, enhances engaged learning for its student volunteers through music and public affairs broadcasting, content development, and event production, while continuously working to enrich the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor communities. The campus radio station develops students' skills in management, fundraising, communication, technology, digital media, teamwork, web design, and research. WCBN has one professional staff member, the WCBN Engineer, and an advisor from the Dean of Students Office.
Position Summary:
The WCBN Engineer is the sole professional staff member who oversees the management, installation, and repairs of equipment for WCBN. This position assists students and community members in using the various equipment at the radio station, tracking their budget, and making purchases with a university purchasing card. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with FCC rules and regulations. The Engineer will work with Student Life Technology Solutions (SLTS) on the radio station's digital systems to ensure optimal connectivity, data security, and to coordinate core IT processes.
Responsibilities*
Radio Station Equipment Management (55%)
- Research, test, evaluate, recommend, and on approval, purchase, install, and maintain all equipment related to WCBN's activities.
- Keep and maintain a well-organized Engineering workplace; keep the network facilities clean, organized, and in working order.
- Design, plan, and implement approved infrastructure and hardware upgrades as needed and in accordance with good engineering practice.
- Develop and deliver appropriate training programs regarding equipment as needed.
- Create, organize, and make available professional documentation of all wiring and related infrastructure and interconnections of and between all the WCBN facilities.
- Organize, preserve, and make available any historical engineering documentation of the WCBN facilities.
Support Radio Station Digital Systems (20%)
- Maintain a working knowledge of general network architecture and Apple OSX, Windows, and UNIX/LINUX operating systems.
- In collaboration with Student Life Technology Solutions (SLTS), plan for the workstation, server, storage, and connectivity needs of WCBN.
- In partnership with ITS Information Assurance and SLTS, adequately harden, maintain, patch, and secure applications, servers, and network-attached appliances.
- Attend meetings with SLTS supervisors and team to ensure coordination of digital systems
- Maintain and support WCBN digital environment, including audio workstations, computer file access and playback, web streaming and archiving, and digital and analog signal routing.
Maintain Compliance with FCC Rules & Regulations (15%)
- Maintain up-to-date WCBN Public File, Emergency Alert System logs, FCC licenses, and other required documentation
- Be prepared for any inspections by FCC or other regulatory agencies
Operational Support (10%)
- Develop studio operations manuals and documentation
- Provide hands-on training to students and community members in the proper use of production/broadcast studio equipment and troubleshooting technical issues
- Be available for emergency needs that may arise and for special events that happen outside of normal business hours
- Resolve issues related to IT Security of WCBN systems in a timely fashion
- Supervise maintenance of WCBN's web presence
- Budget and track operations spending
Required Qualifications*
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience operating and maintaining a moderate power FM transmitter and audio transmission path with remote monitoring and automatic out-of-specification shutdown, or the demonstrated equivalent.
- Experience troubleshooting and/or coordinating maintenance of audio and other equipment related to radio broadcasting
- Experience in setting up links between studio facilities and remote broadcast and transmitter sites, or similar relevant experience
Desired Qualifications*
- Professional certifications, memberships, or affiliations relevant to this position
- Experience as a maintenance engineer for an audio or broadcast facility, or equivalent experience
- Experience in production and post-production methods, coordination, tools and processes
- Knowledge of digital audio technology and tools
- Knowledge of OSX, UNIX/LINUX, and Windows operating systems
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively when dealing with complex technical issues
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students and community stakeholders
Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:
- Manages a budget of approximately $10,000 related to operational aspects of the radio station and its equipment.
Working Conditions:
- This role is on campus in Ann Arbor, and it is expected that this person will be available for emergency needs that may arise and for special events that happen outside of normal business hours.
Physical Requirements:
- The person in this position routinely moves through the facility to attend meetings/events and access files or information. The person in this position will travel to various on and near-campus locations to conduct work and deliver materials. The person in this position may need to move or transport items weighing up to 50 pounds to and from heights up to 6 feet. This job requires the ability to perform physical tasks, including climbing. It requires the ability to work at heights and access equipment. The preson in this role frequently ascends/descends a staircase, occasionally while transporting equipment weighing up to 50 lbs; occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to service equipment in high places such as the transmitter site.
This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.
Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.
Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.
Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2025 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY25-26 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.
Relocation will not be offered for this position.
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Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.