Broadcast Operations Opening – FULL TIME

Pioneer PBS has an immediate full-time opening in our Broadcast Operations/Traffic department.   If you are a motivated individual, this entry-level position is an excellent way to start a career in television broadcast operations at our state-of-the-art headquarters in Granite Falls.

Base duties would include quality control monitoring, airing and recording of programs, working with logs and scheduling related duties. 

Minimum qualifications are: high school diploma or the equivalent, being comfortable with technology, attention to detail, passion for quality and reliability. Experience with computers, databases, typing capability, multi-media, and broadcast operations a plus. Shifts vary and include some nights and weekends.

Pioneer PBS offers a competitive benefits package including health and life insurance, pension plan, paid vacation, sick leave and PTO.

 Please send cover letter, resume and personal references to Pioneer PBS, ATTN: HR Director, 1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 or email dmonahan@pioneer.org. Review to begin immediately.  

Pioneer PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 | 1-800-726-3178 | yourtv@pioneer.org

Broadcast Operations Opening – PART TIME

Pioneer PBS has an immediate part-time opening in our Broadcast Operations/Traffic department.  Base duties would include monitoring, airing and recording of programs, working with logs and scheduling related duties. This is a part-time position at our new Granite Falls headquarters. 

Minimum qualifications are: high school enrollment, diploma or the equivalent, being comfortable with technology, attention to detail, passion for quality and reliability. Experience with computers, databases, typing capability, multi-media, and broadcast operations a plus. Shifts vary and include nights and weekends.

Please send cover letter, resume and personal references to Pioneer PBS, ATTN: HR Director, 1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 or email dmonahan@pioneer.org. Review to begin immediately.  

Pioneer PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 | 1-800-726-3178 | yourtv@pioneer.org

Production and Communications Director

Pioneer PBS invites applications for the position of Production and Communications Director. This position is responsible for managing the production and communications department.  The Director will oversee all activities related to productions, external communications, graphic design and web management.  A successful candidate will be responsible for finding innovative ways to reach audiences through broadcast and digital means. The Director will help to establish and follow station business protocols and archive to protect the assets and the trusted brand of the station.

Pioneer PBS is based in Granite Falls, Minnesota, and is located in our new 18,000 square foot state-of-the-art studio facility on six acres of land in the scenic Minnesota River Valley.   As a full member of PBS and a community licensee, the station has been operated by the nonprofit West Central Minnesota Educational Television Company since it went on the air in 1966. With a staff of 25 and an operating budget of nearly $3 million, the station produces seven local series, specials and digital offerings. Our coverage area of 45 counties serves western Minnesota, northern Iowa and eastern South Dakota.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise the production staff and outputs including Postcards, Prairie Sportsman, Prairie Yard & Garden, Your Legislators, Compass, specials and digital offerings.
• Oversee and Supervision of Communications Department Staff with respect to:
  • Website Content Management (Via BENTO CMS)
  • E-Newsletter Creation and Contact Database Management
  • Social Media Content Creation/Management
  • The creation of digital-first video content 
  • Graphic Design (Membership, Online, Productions, Logos and Other Projects)
  • Online Video Portal Management, including YouTube, PBS Media Manager, Facebook
  • Website Analytics (Weekly Reports to Management & Production Teams)
  • Google Adwords “Search” Ad Management
• Manage external communications in collaboration with station leadership
• Supervise hiring of free-lance production workers on special projects as needed
• Participate in broader station management as part of Pioneer PBS Leadership team
• Execute formal or informal training programs for production and communications staff monthly and as needed
• Staying current with trends in production and communication.
• Working with engineering and production staff to determine equipment needs, ordering procedures, maintenance needs, and repair procedures.
• Develop and manage short-term and long-term production plans in coordination with other managers and production staff ensuring deadlines are met.
• Working cooperatively with representatives of all Pioneer departments to advance Pioneer’s mission
• Write press releases promoting local programs and station developments.
• Public Speaking and Public Relations on behalf of Pioneer PBS
• Maintain organization-wide adherence to Pioneer PBS brand guidelines
• Compliance with all Pioneer PBS policies, FCC Guidelines and State and Federal Laws
• Other duties as assigned

Skills & characteristics needed

• Integrity to develop and maintain strong, trusting working relationships with other Pioneer staff, free-lance workers, and production team members
• Leadership to embrace teamwork and collaboration
• Experience in Production and Communications
• Ability for independent thought, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the foresight to involve other leaders and management as needed to resolve problems early
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Can be relied on to have exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication, people, and organizational skills
• An even temperament, even when working under tight deadlines
• Dedication to the mission of Pioneer PBS
• Respect for colleagues and for the mission of public television
• Public relations skills to build and maintain relationships with the public
• The ability to learn quickly, especially with technology
• Be a self-starter, show initiative
• Able to collaborate with other staff on content creation
• Writing, research, and computer skills
• The ability to write appropriately for TV, the web and other distribution systems

Education and Experience Requirements

• Undergrad in Mass Communications, Journalism or the equivalent 7-10 years of related production and communications employment experience.

The Production and Communications Director position is full-time salaried position, with health and life benefits, 403(b) contribution, paid sick and vacation benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter, resume and references to Pioneer PBS, Human Resources, 1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 or e-mail to dmonahan@pioneer.org or call (320) 289-2918.  Review to begin immediately.  

Pioneer PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 | 1-800-726-3178 | yourtv@pioneer.org

Television Systems Engineer

Pioneer PBS has great opportunity for an immediate opening as a Television Systems Engineer.  This position is responsible for hands-on maintenance and operational readiness as well as the coordination of monitoring, maintenance and management of all Pioneer PBS Broadcast, Towers and Transmitters, including documentation of meeting FCC and FAA compliance as well as meeting any State, Federal or any grant requirements. Provides cohesive plans to the Chief Technology Officer and coordinates on any expenses necessary and/or scheduling to maintain the equipment. Tracks current leases, stays ahead of expiring leases and coordinates with Chief Technology Officer around execution of and electronic filing of all lease agreements.

Pioneer PBS is located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, and has been in operation for over 50 years.  This is a full time position with salary and full benefits. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and references to:  Human Resources Director, PBS, 1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN  56241 or dmonahan@pioneer.org.  For additional information, or a detailed job description, please contact Deb Monahan at dmonahan@pioneer.org or call (320) 289-2918.

Pioneer PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 | 1-800-726-3178 | yourtv@pioneer.org

Pioneer PBS is looking for Compass community correspondents 

Pioneer PBS’s public affairs program Compass is seeking to expand its community-based contributors to help develop a true community journalistic program. This is a freelance position and Compass takes story and community correspondent pitches on a rolling basis. There is a stipend available for each completed video story. Note: This is not full or part-time employment with Pioneer PBS.

Requirements:

• Interest in telling local stories — from southwest, west central Minnesota — to a region-wide audience.
• Ability to research and report on pitched topics.
• Minimal knowledge of camera operations (including, but not limited to, cell phone video recording).
• Access to Adobe Premiere editing software and knowledge of video editing.
• Must provide W-9 for the purpose of 1099 reporting. 

Interested applicants should send an email of interest and story pitches to: Amanda Anderson at aanderson@pioneer.org

*The goal of this position is to grow the diversity and breadth of stories featured on Compass and some minor mentorship opportunities are available. This partnership is open to those who consider themselves a community correspondent, documenter, storyteller or court watcher, and  Pioneer PBS realizes there are candidates for this position with skills we haven’t considered. If that’s you, please tell us about yourself. We also encourage people from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. 

Pioneer PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 Pioneer Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241 | 1-800-726-3178 | yourtv@pioneer.org

Volunteer

Pioneer PBS is very fortunate to have an extremely loyal group of dedicated volunteers. Our awesome volunteers happily spend their time at our studio in Granite Falls helping stuff envelopes for membership mailings that take place throughout the year. New friendships have been formed doing this meaningful volunteer work that helps grow the Pioneer PBS membership base, while enjoying a sweet treat and coffee. You know that the volunteers have arrived when you hear the joyful conversation laughter coming from the conference room. Additional volunteers are always welcome so if this sounds like something you would enjoy, please contact a of our development team at 800-726-3178.