Communications Manager I – Video Services

To provide the Communication Department and city departments with video production counsel and direction; to develop, implement and provide oversight of Video including directing the operations of the City of Boulder’s Video Services and television station, to produce and direct original programming for Boulder 8 TV and city departments, to supervise operations and production staff, and to perform related duties as required.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serves as a member of the City of Boulder Communication Department’s Management Team, assisting in developing strategies and communication plans for the city and serves as a consultant to assigned city department(s) on projects.

• Understands the mission and services provided by assigned department(s) in order to actively promote them to the community.

• Remains aware of sensitive or political issues related to city priorities and provides public relations counsel to department leadership.

• Develops and manages communication plans that leverage Video Services platforms and integrates digital media opportunities to address the communication needs of the city.

2. Oversees the daily operations of the Communication Department’s multimedia production and municipal cable television station. Specific responsibilities include:

• Working with city staff, the Communications Director and/or Media Relations/Communication Manager(s) to develop multimedia and video service goals;

• In coordination with the Communication Director, developing and managing the annual Video Services budget, including suggesting areas for efficiencies or savings;

• Prioritizing video production projects to meet city objectives and project deadlines;

• In coordination with the Communication Director, establishing general work priorities and standards for quality of work output;

• Reviewing and approving proposed equipment purchases, production schedules and monthly program guide;

• Remaining aware of community issues with Channel 8 programming potential, exploring possibilities and making program recommendations to inform and educate the public, soliciting external sponsorships of programming, as appropriate.

• Ensuring accurate and comprehensive online presence, including scheduling, programming and station information, and Internet video viewing capabilities.

3. Oversees studio facility operations and Video Services staff. This includes the following:

• Supervising and assigning production, providing work direction, and overseeing editing work of in house and contract staff.

• Monitoring production budget, selecting production equipment, and tracking expenditures.

• Overseeing staff coverage of council meetings and study sessions for broadcast and web streaming; overseeing broadcast staff for city programming to ensure adequate coverage and adherence to deadlines.

• Coordinating production schedules and staffing for special projects as assigned by the Communication Director.

• Producing Boulder 8 TV programming and city multimedia projects as assigned and assists on productions as required.

• Maintaining station equipment and technology and performs all other required engineering functions, including PEG purchases, coordinating contracted services, and training staff on video production equipment/software.

• Serves as the Chief Engineer for the 24/7, HD cable channel and OTT channels. • Supervising interns.

4. Supervises all technical elements of all broadcast and web-streamed video. This includes the following:

• Establishing and managing technical procedures and instruction to producers and engineer for operation, protection, and safety concerns of all field and studio equipment.

• Responsible for systems design, integration, and installation of diverse production elements, including technical supervision of broadcast audio and video, editing, and computer graphics in a Chief Broadcast Engineer capacity. This includes the following:

– Maintaining close collaboration with the Boulder cable providers, to monitor and maintain signal integrity and stability.

– Managing technical elements of remote and in-house Boulder 8 TV live and video-on-demand streaming tools.

– Lead the design, procurement and integration process for new and replacement equipment needs.

– Maintain all closed captioning, live streaming, cablecasting, master control, server, control room and operational equipment.

– Performing diagnosis, assessment, and maintenance of broadcast equipment including: camera and recording equipment, computer graphics, control room equipment and signal distribution.

– Performing technical set-ups and system synchronization for all City Council meetings and press conferences originating from the Council Chambers, as well as technical setup assistance for studio productions and off-site productions (live and taped).

– Performing engineering-related duties as required by management to meet the needs of the city.

– Assisting the Communication Director in reviewing and selecting engineering-related vendors. Managing selected vendor(s) to ensure proper execution of contracts.

– Performing and managing annual equipment inventory audits, budgets and maintains list of estimated replacement costs for PEG equipment.

5. Produces and directs cable television programs, web videos, and internal use training and information videos. This includes the following:

• Establishing production schedule and supervises shooting; and selecting technique and location for shooting.

• Directing and performing set construction and lighting. Operating video and remote control video cameras.

• Obtaining supporting video, photos and/or graphics as need to support news/editorial content of shows.

• Directing production crew in single and multi-camera productions.

• Performing post production video and audio integration to create broadcast quality programming, including titling and musical scoring. Creating technically correct duplications for cablecasting and web streaming.

• Performing related duties as required by management to meet the needs of the city.

6. Other:

• Performs related duties as required by management to meet the needs of the city.

• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.

• Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies. Generally, duties and responsibilities are listed from most to least critical or time consuming.

All city supervisors are responsible for appropriately incorporating the principles of community sustainability into work on a routine basis; understanding and enforcing relevant collective bargaining agreements and management policies; hiring and firing supervised employees or making related recommendations; ensuring employees are trained initially and on an ongoing basis, as needed; providing appropriate feedback to employees by monitoring day-to-day performance; completing performance evaluations on time; correcting problems in employee work habits or performance in a timely manner; prioritizing and scheduling work functions and vacations; ensuring adherence to established safety standards; ensuring the timely completion and submission of all paperwork required by the city to process employee transactions, insurance or injury claims, etc.; maintaining related records; and ensuring the accuracy of reported time use.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE: (1) TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Communication Director (2) TITLE(S) OF POSITION(S) OVER WHICH THIS POSITION HAS DIRECT SUPERVISION: Video Services Senior Producer, Producers, Producer/Engineer, New Anchors, Broadcast Engineer, Video Technician, interns

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Television Production, Communication, Journalism, Radio/TV or related field, or equivalent work experience. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience as a producer/engineer/director in television production. Knowledge of the principles and practices of television production. Experience in all aspects of video production in public, educational, industrial, or government television, or CATV setting. Experience with non-linear, digital based production equipment, software, and editing systems. Proven knowledge and experience in IT systems administration and maintenance with Mac, Windows and Linux work stations, servers and GUI enabled equipment. This includes networking, security, best practices, setup and integration into existing infrastructure. Proven knowledge of broadcast and live streaming planning, operations, engineering and support. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse people in an organizational context, and teamwork skills. Exemplary customer services skills and the ability to represent the Communication Department organization in a variety of internal and external settings. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public relations skills. Good math skills. Ability to work consistently under strict time pressures, to juggle multiple priorities and to meet deadlines. Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends, including availability for communication response to emergencies on a 24-hour basis. Demonstrated use of sound judgment. Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends, as needed. Valid driver’s license. Have and maintain acceptable criminal and motor vehicle record.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS – In addition to the required minimum qualifications:

Prior video production experience in community public television programming. Prior supervisory experience. Composure under pressure, ability to be accountable for managing staff and schedules under difficult situations or tight deadlines. Ability to delegate routine and important tasks and ensure that they are fulfilled, while sharing in responsibility and accountability. Process management skills to organize people and activities. Innovative manager with record of effectively managing the creative process of others. Prior work experience managing a budget.

Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (including account management); Final Cut Pro 10.1.1, including experience with designing and managing custom graphic template titles and generator packages; Motion 5.1; Apple and Windows computers, including OSX networking settings; Matrox MAX technology workflows; Sony EX3, FS-100 and a77 experience, including codec and solid state workflow experience; Vaddio systems; BlackMagic Design conversion and distribution tools; Studio management, including set design and light grid management; Vimeo Pro; Granicus, including the encoding appliance and knowledge of server protocols; Studio Network Solutions, including knowledge of managing a shared storage network, mapping IP locations and coordinating client software updates; Rushworks play out server platform, including knowledge of signal distribution and conversion to SD/HD SDI, HDMI and Comcast laser-based modulation systems.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

WORKING CONDITIONS – Required Physical and Mental Effort, and Environmental Conditions:

Physical and Mental Effort : Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee, a variety of lighting conditions, to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials; and to operate video production equipment. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment, office equipment and video production equipment in a variety of outdoor conditions. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in an office setting; and to operate video equipment in a variety of outdoor conditions and from various positions. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor, operating a keyboard and operating associated video production equipment. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. Requires ability to squat, kneel, climb ladders, push equipment and furniture, and to lift 40 pounds.

Work Environment : Work includes working in a clean, comfortable environment, and working outside in a variety of conditions. Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.

Machines and equipment used include, but are not limited to the following : Uses standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, calculators and copy/fax machines. Also uses Video Switcher/SEG, Granicus streaming, Vaddio systems, video camera control units, camera, remote control cameras, digital editing systems, and character generators. Drives city vehicles.

ACCOMMODATIONS : Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Note: The above description is illustrative only. It is not meant to be all-inclusive.