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Broadcast Maintenance Technologist: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like to tinker with computers, networks, electrical and mechanical equipment? Do you have a knack for precise, coordinated work? Then you may want to think about a career as a broadcast maintenance technologist.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Broadcast Maintenance Technologist

Broadcast maintenance technologists install, test, inspect, modify, repair and maintain radio and television broadcasting systems.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Broadcast Engineer, Engineering Technologist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 5224: Broadcast Technicians

2006 NOC-S

  • F124: Broadcast Technicians

2011 NOC

  • 5224: Broadcast technicians

2016 NOC

  • 5224: Broadcast technicians

2021 NOC

  • 52112: Broadcast technicians

2023 OaSIS

  • 52112.00: Broadcast technicians
Duties
Updated Mar 02, 2021

All audio, video, computer and other technical equipment in studios and at remote locations or transmitter facilities must be regularly tested, adjusted, cleaned and inspected. When a problem is detected, broadcast maintenance technologists repair and restore equipment to proper operating condition

Broadcast maintenance technologists maintain and repair a wide variety of equipment, including:

  • Television cameras, tripods and robotic systems
  • Automation – servers controlling multiple broadcasting functions
  • Video switching and mixing equipment
  • Audio mixers
  • Video and audio recorders and servers
  • Video and audio effects equipment
  • Editing equipment – digital or analog
  • Microphones and related sound equipment
  • Lighting equipment
  • Microwave equipment, satellite receivers and transmitters
  • Cellular bonding transmission equipment
  • Computer and networking equipment
  • Structured cabling installations
  • Remote broadcast equipment
  • Transmitters and transmission equipment for AM/FM radio and television
  • Video and / or audio streaming equipment
  • Analog and digital equipment and converters

In general, broadcast maintenance technologists:

  • Design, assemble, maintain, wire and install a wide variety of items and systems.
  • Build or modify specialized broadcast equipment
  • Design and document systems using computer aided drawing programs and cable database management systems
  • Ensure that the power levels and frequency of the station's broadcast signal meet government regulatory requirements and that broadcast signals are consistently clear and reliable
  • Set up equipment at remote locations

Depending on the size of the broadcast company, maintenance technologists may:

  • Divide their time between repairing and maintaining equipment at the station and transmitter(s)
  • Work exclusively at the station or mobile trailers, or at transmitter and rebroadcast facilities
  • Be required to respond to heating, cooling, plumbing or electrical problems.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Broadcast maintenance technologists generally work indoors. They frequently work with small hand tools and electronic test equipment. Some heavy lifting may be required.

Broadcast maintenance technologists usually work shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays. They may be required to remain on standby during their time off in case emergency repairs are needed at the station or at transmitter facilities. Overtime may be required to meet broadcast deadlines.

Technologists who work for broadcast companies that have a large number of rebroadcasting facilities may be required to travel extensively.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Broadcast Technicians

2006 NOC: 5224

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in controlling and operating radio and television broadcasting systems to broadcast and receive signals; in operating broadcast equipment to produce audio and video streaming broadcasts for the Internet; and in setting up and operating consoles to pick up and select feed sources from different locations and to air radio or television programs and commercials

METHODICAL

Interest in analyzing information obtained from console meters and other indicators to regulate clarity and range of sounds and colours of broadcasts or recordings

innovative

Interest in maintaining, installing and troubleshooting a wide variety of broadcast hardware and software

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Broadcast maintenance technologists need:

  • Patience and persistence
  • Good hearing
  • An aptitude for electrical and mechanical work
  • A keen interest in electronics and computers
  • Ability to perform precise, coordinated hand movements
  • Analytical and technical problem-solving skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to adapt to continuously changing technologies

They should enjoy setting up and operating equipment, and trouble-shooting technical problems.

Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Broadcast maintenance technologists need at least 2 years of post-secondary training in broadcast systems technology, electronics or networking programs.

After they are hired, inexperienced broadcast maintenance technologists receive further training on the job.

 

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Certification Not Regulated

Certification is voluntary. The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) offers certification for graduates of recognized education programs.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Broadcast maintenance technologists work for:

  • Radio and television broadcasting networks and stations
  • Recording studios
  • Production and post-production facilities
  • Multimedia enterprises
  • Sports and entertainment venues
  • Broadcast equipment companies (in sales and technical support positions)
  • Telecom or telecommunication companies

In some cases, broadcast maintenance technologists are hired on a contract basis.

Experienced broadcast maintenance technologists may advance to supervisory positions such as senior technologist, chief engineer or management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 5224: Broadcast technicians occupational group, 80.9% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.
  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 5224: Broadcast technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Employment prospects are best for broadcast maintenance technologists who are willing to travel or relocate.

Wage & Salary
Updated Sep 29, 2022

Salaries for broadcast maintenance technologists vary depending on the technologist's experience and training, and the size of the broadcast company.

Broadcast maintenance technologists are part of the larger 2016 National Occupational Classification 5224: Broadcast technicians.

According to the 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Broadcast technicians occupational group earned on average from $22.95 to $29.60 an hour. The overall average was $28.28 an hour. For more information, see the Broadcast technicians wage profile.

Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Media, Design and Communication Arts
    • Communication Technology
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) website: sbe.org

Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE) website: wabe.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 02, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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