Playout Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The National Football League Digital Media Group is looking for a Seasonal FAST Video Systems Operator that is highly motivated and able to work in a fast-paced environment. The role will require an individual with a flexible schedule that is punctual and dependable. He or she will be expected to operate, monitor, and configure software relative to digital video distribution for the NFL's FAST Channel. This position is based in Inglewood, CA and does not offer relocation or remote work.

Responsibilities

• Support live streaming of games, weekly shows, and tent-pole events.
• Document, escalate, and manage video distribution incidents to resolution.
• Create and update operational runbooks for live on air workflows.
• Maintain documentation of video acquisition scheduling and live event programing.
• Setup and operate digital video environment in Digital Master Control (DMC).
• Provide live event support during all live operation workflows including holidays, nights, early operation windows and/or weekends.
• Perform quality control tasks for video streaming distribution.
• Perform digital ad insertion operations on FAST live games.
• Setup and maintain electronic programming guide (EPG) metadata for live game broadcasts.
• Manage video routes for international game channels.
• Collaborate with department initiatives to automate SCTE-35 insertion for DAI.

Required Qualifications

• BS degree and/or equivalent experience.
• Direct sports broadcast production and/or production operations experience (TV studio/truck experience, stadium broadcast operations) preferred
• Experience monitoring and responding to live streaming service health metrics, alarms, and operational incidents in a 24/7 broadcast, streaming, or FAST channel environment.
• Knowledge of digital protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, HLS, SRT, RTMP, SSH.
• Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions precisely with minimal supervision.
• Execute SCTE-35 cue insertion for live and recorded programming, following AD commands and established operational procedures to ensure seamless break triggering and ad insertion.
• Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across control room and production teams
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond quickly to changing production needs
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot audio/video and playout issues
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to internal and external stakeholders through well-organized maintenance notices, incident reports, outage summaries, and status updates

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2-years of experience in a Technical Support role (i.e. IT Service Desk, TOC/NOC Operations, etc.)
• Knowledge of Content Distribution Networks.
• Knowledge of 2110 Broadcast Networks
• Knowledge of Linux and/or Windows web servers.
• Knowledge of Cloud Video Distribution platforms
• Experience with Multi-Viewer Systems
• Working knowledge and experience with FAST distribution systems
• AI automation experience
• Knowledge of encoding standards, including H.264, AAC, GOP structure, I-P-B frame schemes, profiles, bitrates, and aspect ratios.
• Solid troubleshooting experience in Linux/Mac/Windows environments.

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics

• Must be a Team Player, Initiative, Resourceful.
• Exceptional composure and accuracy in high-pressure, live broadcast environments
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to on-air quality and precision

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry video equipment weighing less than 40lbs.

Travel

• 0 - 10%

Terms / Expected Hours of Work

• On-call position working less than 40 hours per week based on production needs
• Must be available for early mornings, evenings, overnights, weekends, holidays, and remote production support as required
• Seasonal employment up to 7 months

Salary / Pay Range

This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.