Description
Operate the broadcast control room to monitor, switch, and air live and recorded content. Use automation, routing, and transmission systems to ensure on-air continuity, signal quality, and regulatory compliance while coordinating with production and engineering and documenting all activity.
- • Maintain as-run and programming logs per station and FCC requirements.
- • Operate master control switcher, automation, and playout servers to air scheduled content.
- • Monitor the strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals and correct issues promptly.
- • Adjust audio levels and monitor quality to meet loudness and clarity standards.
- • Regulate video fidelity, brightness, contrast, and color using control panels and scopes.
- • Observe multiviewers and communicate with staff to verify that programs are airing correctly.
- • Preview and cue scheduled sources to confirm readiness before transmission.
- • Select and route sources for ingest, live events, and air via the facility router.
- • Report equipment problems, escalate to engineering, and perform basic emergency workarounds.
- • Ingest, time, and QC commercials, promos, and programs before air.
- • Coordinate and tune satellite, fiber, or IP receivers to acquire remote feeds.
- • Substitute alternate programming or reroute paths when signals fail.
- • Prepare and load playlists; reconcile and update traffic logs as needed.
- • Train and assist new operators on control room procedures and systems.
- • Execute and log EAS tests and alerts in accordance with regulations.
- • Monitor and log transmitter, encoder, and server readings.
- • Play and record programs, airchecks, and feeds using automation tools.
- • Configure and monitor intercoms, tallies, and IFB for live productions.
- • Follow and give technical cues during live shows, break rollouts, and timing.
- • Perform basic edits or trims to meet timing or content standards.
- • Assist with installation, troubleshooting, and minor maintenance under engineer guidance.
- • Manage router salvos, source labeling, and backup changeovers.
- • Verify closed captioning, subtitles, SAP, and aspect ratio on all outputs.
- • Document discrepancies and create detailed shift handoff and daily reports.
- • Implement emergency procedures and switch to backup generators or paths when required.
- • Keep control room organized and comply with standard operating procedures and security policies.
- • Collaborate with clients or production to confirm requirements for special events and cut-ins.
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Arts, Entertainment, & Design
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
