Job Introduction
BBC London Digital and TV is part of the lives of millions of Londoners. On BBC One, we produce some of the capital’s most watched TV programmes, we drive a huge volume of traffic on the BBC news website and we run one of the BBC’s most followed Facebook accounts. There is always a busy news agenda for us, as you would expect in the largest and most diverse city in Europe. However, our mission is to go further and to connect with diverse audiences across London and the southeast and tell the stories others aren’t telling. We pride ourselves on producing original journalism and getting it to as many people as possible on all our platforms. We like experimenting with innovative production techniques. We love creating OBs in surprising places. We strive to create an inclusive working culture. We make sure we reflect the many communities of London in our output. We keep developing how we work as a truly multiplatform operation. And we aim to give our team opportunities to develop in their careers with the multimedia skills they need to flourish.
We warmly welcome applications from all suitable candidates, and we’re especially keen to hear from candidates from the diverse communities we serve and represent.
The Base Operations Assistant will support operations and colleagues by ensuring that the right equipment and facilities are in the right place at the right time in a safe and efficient way. Responsible for equipment, logistics, vehicles and their administration both on location and at base.
This role involves a large degree of flexibility and resilience which will come as second nature to you. As you will be working closely with the news production team, you will be able to communicate clearly and assertively and respect demands of working in a fast-moving environment. An ability to work in live, pre-recorded and often pressurised situations and a good understanding of health and safety guidelines is essential.
Main Responsibilities
- Operational point of contact for staff, freelancers and others.
- Administration and record keeping of equipment ensuring maintenance and relevant safety checks are carried out and acted on.
- Ability to load and unload equipment and vehicles, following requirements for safe loading and ways of working.
- As appropriate, drive BBC or hire vehicles, ensuring compliance with regulation and BBC policies.
- Responsibility for the safety of self and others, following established safe working practices; reporting incidents or near misses via appropriate BBC systems.
- Arrange for the movement of equipment between BBC locations and/or OB sites, to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of the operation.
- Where appropriate devise and maintain a schedule for cleaning or maintenance of equipment or vehicles or other technical areas.
- As appropriate, drive BBC or hire vehicles, ensuring compliance with regulation and BBC policies.
- Responsibility for the safety of self and others, following established safe working practices; reporting incidents or near misses via appropriate BBC systems.
Are you the right candidate?
- Knowledge of tv, radio and online operations and equipment
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Full driving license with fewer than 6 points.
- Computer literate with spreadsheet knowledge
- Understanding of stock control procedures and of equipment allocation processes.
- A good knowledge and familiarity of all the equipment and its use. Understanding of alternatives that can be offered in place of unavailable equipment.
- Knowledge of safety and welfare regulations and standing instructions relating to the base or location operation.
- A good understanding of operational activities in order to assess operational urgency and allocate equipment most effectively.
- Experience of working quickly and accurately under pressure, to constantly changing deadlines. Use of initiative and ability to work flexibly.
- Interpersonal and communication skills to build and sustain working relationships within editorial, craft, resource and production areas.
About the BBC
We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below.
Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.
We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here
Package Description
Band: A
Contract type:
Location: London
We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
- Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
- Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
- Benefits- We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.