Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Media Services Technical Support Specialist

  • Title: Media Services Technical Support Specialist
  • Category: Classified
  • FLSA: Non-Exempt
  • Grade: 23

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Media Services, the Media Services Technical Support Specialist (MS-TSS) operates the college electronics repair shop and is responsible for repairing, maintaining, analyzing, and modifying media and communications equipment at the circuit board and component level. This position will be required to cross train and serve as needed in the role of the TSS Tech II network and telecom wiring staff. The MS-TSS is responsible for maintaining and repairing the college IP video, microwave, satellite, cable television, broadcast, streaming video, and rich media capture facilities. In cooperation with the Media Services Coordinators, researches and advises in needs assessment, design, construction, and maintenance of systems such as video production facilities, classroom technology, and other systems listed above. Incumbent serves in both a technical support and an advisory role relative to technical components of the Distant Learning Operations and maintains factory certifications from equipment manufacturers for mission critical services. Responsible for producing journey-level work output on an independent basis subject to supervisory direction and review.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Ensures maximum system/equipment availability by operating an electronics repair facility for the college providing effective maintenance and quick resolution of system malfunctions.
  2. Coordinates and maintains a process for the flow of equipment in need of repair to and from the equipment repair shop. Maintains system logs, service manuals, and clear repair records schedule for work performed.
  3. Performs and recommends strategies for preventive maintenance of all classroom media, distance education, and video surveillance facilities.
  4. Maintains and repairs video surveillance systems throughout the college including cameras, structured cable plant, and video servers.
  5. Maintains needed factory certifications from manufacturers for major systems that the position is responsible for.
  6. Provides user applications assistance and recommends appropriate equipment or modifications to insure successful projects and the efficient use of college resources.
  7. Independently seeks out and resolves unrecognized or unreported equipment problems. Identifies recurring and/or long-term malfunctions. Communicates with users to determine root cause and resolves or submits recommendations.
  8. Interfaces with equipment manufacturers and/or their field service representatives as necessary to resolve equipment failures, secure replacement parts, etc.
  9. Trains with TSS Tech II position in order to support the position during absence or when workload indicates the need.
  10. Advises users and makes recommendations on electronic and media equipment based on past performance and reliability. Upon request, researches and recommends products based on price, reliability, and manufacturer support.
  11. Maintains necessary inventory of parts and equipment to ensure that repairs and installation can take place in a timely manner.
  12. Maintains college microwave, ITFS and satellite TVRO systems to factory specifications and FCC regulations.
  13. Surveys potential radio and microwave receive sites for interference and signal level, and oversees installation of that equipment.
  14. Maintains knowledge of facilities by attending industry training, manufacturers seminars, webcast training, and reading industry publications.
  15. Monitors other (building) contractors when they’re on site, to protect installations.

Positions in this classification may perform all or some of the responsibilities above and all positions perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent; two years of college or technical training in electronic communication equipment or related field. Experience performing the duties described above may substitute for the college or technical training on a year-for-year basis. Completion of low voltage electrical apprenticeship with Journey level Limited Energy Electrical License. Three years current experience installing, testing and repairing electronic and communication equipment.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

IP based video conferencing systems, from design to installation and maintenance; video conferencing bridges, software, operations and maintenance; multimedia production, analog and digital video production and distribution, audio production, satellite systems, audio/video signal routing systems; and industry and Federal Communications Commission quality standards; circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software including applications and programming; electronic theory and equipment including computer-based detection systems, closed-circuit television, digital equipment and radio communication systems and telephone systems; machines and tools including their design, uses, repair and maintenance; materials, methods and the tools involved in the construction or repair of facilities; and inspecting equipment, structures or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Ability to:

Service a wide variety of automated electronic systems such as multi-channel microwave systems, television broadcast equipment, satellite earth stations, campus CATV and telephone networks; work from schematics, blueprints and engineering data and to use a wide variety of diagnostic equipment such as oscilloscopes, waveform vectors, spectrum analyzers, VTMs, oscillators, color bar generators; communicate technical information effectively orally and in written form; plan and schedule work priorities to meet deadlines and emergencies; estimate materials and time costs, prioritize work and perform duties independently and provide transportation for off-site travel.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Frequently required to work early or late hours to accommodate broadcast events, provide off-hour upgrades and maintenance, respond to system failures or other emergency situations. Work priorities, disturbances of workflow and/or irregularities in work schedule occur on a regular basis. On call for unscheduled power interruptions, pipes flooding tunnels, etc. Work may be performed indoors and out of doors in inclement weather, on roofs, transmitting towers, in tunnels, confined spaces and sites other than college facilities and may involve use of ladders, electrical tools and sensitive test equipment.

Requires physical agility to perform work in confined spaces, tunnels around transmitting towers and other elevated work sites. Also requires the ability to lift heavy equipment/ materials, stand for extended periods of time and to operate power tools and test equipment.

Reviewed: 12/18

  • Rev: 11/2/06
  • Replaces: “Electronic Engineering Technician”, Grade 23 02/13/95