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Broadcast technicians

OaSIS code 52112.00

Broadcast technicians install, set up, test, operate and repair electronic equipment used to record and transmit live and taped radio and television programs and to produce audio and video streaming broadcasts for the Internet.

Overview

Also known as

  • Broadcast technician
  • Broadcast transmitter operator
  • Broadcasting switcher
  • Master control room (MCR) equipment operator - broadcasting
  • Master control room (MCR) technician - broadcasting
  • Mobile broadcasting equipment operator
  • Regional transmitter technician
  • Short-wave receiving station technician
  • Video transmission operator

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Monitor broadcast quality of live and taped radio and television programs
  • Operate and monitor radio and television broadcasting systems to broadcast, receive signals and to regulate clarity and range of sounds and colours of recordings or broadcasts
  • Operate broadcast equipment to produce audio and video streaming broadcasts for the Internet
  • Make emergency repairs to equipment and substitute programs in case of signal failure
  • Maintain, install and troubleshoot a wide variety of broadcast hardware and software
  • Set up and operate consoles to pick up and select feed sources from different locations and to air radio or television programs and commercials
  • May supervise other broadcast technicians.

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Film and video camera operators (52110)
  • Audio and video recording technicians (52113)
  • Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (52119)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

52 – Technical occupations in art, culture and sport

Sub-major group

521 – Technical occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5211 – Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

Unit group

52112 – Broadcast technicians

Occupational profile

52112.00 – Broadcast technicians

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Electronic Maintenance
5 - Highest Level
Developing Technical Instructions
4 - High Level
Interacting with Computers
4 - High Level
Applying New Knowledge
3 - Moderate Level
Clerical Activities
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
5 - Extremely important
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously

Workplaces/employers

  • Broadcast equipment companies
  • Internet-based communication providers
  • Radio and television broadcasting networks and stations

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Auditory Attention
4 - High Level
Colour Perception
4 - High Level
Hearing Sensitivity
4 - High Level
Near Vision
4 - High Level
Perceptual Speed
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
5 - Highest Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
4 - High Level
Quality Control Testing
4 - High Level
Troubleshooting
4 - High Level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of a college program in broadcast technology or electronics is usually required.
  • Senior and supervisory positions in this unit group require experience.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Telecommunications
3 - Advanced Level
Communications and Media
2 - Intermediate Level
Arts
1 - Basic Level
Business Management
1 - Basic Level
Clerical
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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