How to hire a master control operator

How to hire a master control operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step master control operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a master control operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new master control operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the master control operator you need to hire. Certain master control operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A master control operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, master control operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of master control operators.

   Type of Master Control Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Master Control Operator	Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.	$13-44
   Audio/Video Engineer	An audio/visual (AV) engineer is someone who plays a major role in setting up, configuring, troubleshooting, and maintaining systems such as cameras, lighting, control systems for broadcast microphones, and communications. It is their responsibility to choose, install, implement, and configure whether simple and complex AV technologies compatibility with the broadcasting needs of the organization... Show more	$25-64
   Remote Broadcast Engineer	A remote broadcast engineer is primarily in charge of managing and overseeing broadcast-related devices and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around installing systems and equipment, addressing problems and concerns, troubleshooting issues, performing repairs and corrective adjustments, and conducting regular maintenance checks... Show more	$38-74

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Transmitters
   • Troubleshoot
   • FCC
   • Ingest
   • Audio Board
   • Playlists
   • Live Events
   • Discrepancy Reports
   • Automation Systems
   • Traffic Logs
   • Station Management
   • Program Logs
   • Local News
   • On-Air Product

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design social networking app with routing using Java, TCP/IP and UDP/IP.
   • Organize and prioritize daily network programming needs, troubleshoot on-air emergencies and equipment malfunctions.
   • Create an integrate training program to teach all nuclear operators new instrumentation and control systems base on digital logic versus analog.
   • Monitor ABC and local programming.
   • Direct both NBC and ABC broadcasts.
   • Used Lightroom and Photoshop to edit photos.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your master control operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A master control operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, master control operators' average salary in idaho is 49% less than in maryland.
   • Seniority. Entry-level master control operators earn 69% less than senior-level master control operators.
   • Certifications. A master control operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a master control operator's salary.

   Average master control operator salary

   $52,528yearly

   $25.25 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level master control operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing a master control operator job description

   A good master control operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a master control operator job description:

   Master control operator job description example

   WICS/WRSP is seeking a Master Control Operator. The ideal candidate must be versatile and capable of learning specialized software applications and have an aptitude for operating electronic equipment. You must have great attention to detail, excellent computer skills, and must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
   Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
   
   * Broadcast operations including setting up, controlling and monitoring television broadcast equipment to transmit television programs and commercials to the viewing audience
   * On-air switching, dubbing and transferring programs
   * Gathering satellite feeds for broadcast use
   * Preparation and operation of equipment (before, during and after live newscasts)
   * Support the production of newscasts and other live or taped programming for television and multi-platform use
   * Support operation of the station by assisting Engineering, News, and other departments
   * Other duties as assigned
   
   Experience:
   
   * Previous experience as a Master Control Operator is preferred
   
   Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace!
   
   About Us
   
   Make your mark in Media with Sinclair Broadcast Group, a diversified media company dedicated to connecting people with content everywhere! We have consistently led the broadcast industry since our inception, and now Sinclair owns the largest regional sports network business and one of the largest television broadcast portfolios in the country. In addition, we have affiliations with all of the major broadcast networks, own Tennis Channel, and several multicast networks including TBD and Comet. Our content is distributed over-the-air, on multi-video providers, and through our industry-leading digital media platforms. We're at the forefront of NextGen technology, enabling innovative new ways to engage with broadcast content like never before. We also recently launched a free TV streaming service called STIRR. Our success is the direct result of our extraordinary employees and management team who believe in our vision and are dedicated to ensuring a great future for our employees. We are advancing the world of Media and want YOU to join our winning team!
   
   About the Team
   
   The life-blood of our organization is our people. We have a compelling story, a goal-oriented culture, and we take really good care of people. How good? Here is a glimpse: great benefits, open door policy, upward mobility and a strong desire to see you succeed. Ready to be part of a winning team? Let's talk.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right master control operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with master control operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit master control operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your master control operator job on Zippia to find and recruit master control operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit master control operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new master control operator

   Once you've found the master control operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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