Job Description
OVERVIEW
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.
Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.
Intro To Position
NPR seeks an Audio Engineer to join our Engineering Division. This position will work directly with journalists, producers, camera operators, and engineers at NPR and throughout the public media system to ensure the production and delivery of high-quality audio and video in a timely and precise manner.
Primary duties include engineering live broadcasts of NPR programming, audio restoration and repair, recording and mixing audio for video, Master Control operation, troubleshooting technical problems, and collaborating with reporters and producers in a variety of settings. Our engineers work in broadcast studios, a master control facility, and throughout the networked newsroom to provide technical support and guidance in a fast-paced, deadline driven, 24x7x365 production environment.
Our ideal candidate is a proactive, courteous, customer service focused, audio expert who is passionate and curious about technology and believes in the mission of NPR.
This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with NABET.
Responsibilities
Assemble and mix complex live broadcasts, streaming content, and pre‑produced elements working with producers and directors in a high‑pressure environment
Promote and maintain NPR’s quality standards by identifying and repairing impaired audio
Analyze, repair and mix audio on tight deadlines using common tools (equalizers, compressors, noise reduction, etc.)
QC, mix, and sweeten audio and video podcasts before publication using DAVID Systems MTE and AVID Pro Tools
Monitor inbound and outbound content streams and associated automated play‑out systems. Rectify technical outages and respond to programming schedule changes quickly and accurately
Schedule, connect, and route media over a variety of IP transmission methods including Comrex, Riverside, Zoom, etc.
Test and ensure preparedness of in‑house and remote broadcast and production systems
Consult, train, and support journalists in the use of NPR technical facilities and remote recording and transmission equipment
Teach and encourage best production practices and workflows
Provide technical support for remote events including site assessment and venue coordination
Troubleshoot unexpected situations confidently, calmly, and effectively
Communicate clearly with both editorial and technical colleagues
Keep abreast of current and emerging audio broadcast equipment, systems, and workflows
Write and update documentation for user support guides
Cultivate, promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in one’s work and in the workplace
Demonstrate awareness of intersectional identities and ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
Required Skills
Two years’ technical experience with audio production (radio and/or TV broadcast, post production, live sound reinforcement, music recording, theater, ENG)
Experience with AVID Pro Tools and iZotope RX in a production environment
Proficient in fundamentals of audio engineering and signal flow
Proven ability to identify and correct audio impairments and mix audio to established loudness standards
Professional and courteous demeanor supporting a varied and demanding client base
Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to author training guides and operating procedures
Proven multitasking capabilities for fast approaching deadlines
Preferred Skills
Broadcast experience, preferably within public media
Expert level understanding of AVID Pro Tools, iZotope products and a variety of mixing consoles
Mixing while taking live direction from editorial staff in a broadcast, theater‑tech, sound reinforcement, or similar context
Advanced computer troubleshooting, networking, or software development abilities
Experience with varied IP and smartphone audio transmission techniques
Operation of scheduling and audio routing automation tools and matrix routers
Field recording proficiency
Music recording, mixing, and mastering expertise
Audio for video, post‑production, and sound design competence
Teaching or training experience
Additional
The onboarding process for new hires includes substantial training and opportunities to shadow our audio engineering staff on a variety of shifts. Solid understanding of audio fundamentals and universal audio concepts is more important than expertise with specific systems.
Education
Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred.
Work Location
This is an on‑site role based in Washington, DC
Job Type
This is a full time, non exempt position.
Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $44.04 - $49.67 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all U.S. locations.
Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full‑time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well‑being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long‑term disability, short‑term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non‑conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.
You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.
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Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Temporary work, Remote work, Worldwide, Shift work