Occupation Profile

Broadcast Technicians

(SOC Code : 27-4012)

in California

Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate radio transmitter to broadcast radio and television programs.

Employers are usually looking for candidates with Post secondary vocational training .

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Occupational Wages

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Area	Year	Period	Hourly Mean	Hourly by Percentile
				25th	Median	75th
California	2012	1st Qtr	$23.34	$12.02	$20.82	$32.74

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")

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Area	Estimated Year-Projected Year	Employment		Employment Change		Annual Avg Openings
		Estimated	Projected	Number	Percent
California	2010 - 2020	6,300	7,200	900	14.3	280

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange

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Enter a Zip Code Find a Zip code in California

Within miles of Zip Code.

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)

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Industry Title

Number of Employers in State of California

Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California

Radio and Television Broadcasting

1,749

60.5%

Cable and Other Subscription Programming

760

13.1%

Motion Picture and Video Industries

6,338

3.5%

Junior Colleges

171

2.8%

About Staffing Patterns

Training Programs (click on title for more information)

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Program Title

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other

Communications Technology/Technician

Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician

About Training & Apprenticeships

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)

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Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)

Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.

Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.

Monitor and log transmitter readings.

Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.

Play and record broadcast programs using automation systems.

Control audio equipment to regulate the volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.

Align antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations.

Maintain programming logs, as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.

Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.

Select sources from which programming will be received, or through which programming will be transmitted.

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Top Skills used in this Job

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

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Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)

Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)

Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

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Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

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