BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU) is acknowledged as the leading maker of television and radio programmes on wildlife and natural history anywhere in the world.

Renowned for innovative production techniques, the makers of Planet Earth 2, Blue Planet 2 and Frozen Planet 2 are excited to offer an opportunity for a Junior Camera Operator, specialising in underwater cinematography.

Unlike other JCO opportunities in the NHU which have been tied to an individual production/project, the successful candidate will work across a number of titles on a variety of international water based shoots to gain a breadth of experience on location.

This opportunity will be a 12 month placement, which will provide the opportunity to work alongside the industry's top underwater wildlife camera operators and programme makers to develop your existing skills. You'll have the opportunity to gain knowledge about the latest underwater wildlife production and photographic processes as well as preparing work in the production offices and providing assistance/shooting in the field. Please note the role may include travel to locations in the UK as well as overseas.

The placement will also involve the chance to observe offline editing of a landmark sequence to understand story construction & hear tips from an editor on shot requirements for blue chip natural history filming.

You will need to be Bristol-based and when not abroad filming, will be working across selected NHU production/ innovation teams, providing research, kit prep and support, shoot planning - this involves working regular office hours.

Though the purpose of the placement is to focus on underwater filming specialisms, there may be periods within the NHU with limited underwater shoots, at which times there may be topside deployments to increase shoot experience.

Though the JCO placement will be on a Fixed Term Contract basis, all wildlife content is acquired from freelance camera operators; there are no BBC staff positions in this category. The placement could potentially be extended by a further year, depending on business need, and on completion the aim is that the successful candidate will be ready to compete in the freelance market for work, either from the NHU or elsewhere. This opportunity is aimed at those with sufficient relevant skills and experience to enable rapid progress to full professional competence.

Role Responsibility
The chosen candidate will be a proactive and flexible member of the production team, both at base and on location. Their day to day work may include but is not limited to:

Assisting the production team in purchasing, developing, and testing bespoke camera kits and field equipment prior to filming.
Working closely with field directors in the preparation, transport and set up of a range of cameras, as currently used in wildlife content acquisition.
Assisting with dive planning in relation to safety and the techniques to be used to achieve the desired shots/sequence
On location undertaking the preparation, maintenance, installation and operation of a range of cameras and any ancillary equipment as necessary.
Logging and managing recorded data on location and at base.
Providing written records of relevant information as required by the management of the production.
Providing written and visual material for all media and platforms as required by the production.
Operating unsupervised when appropriately experienced and briefed.
The Ideal Candidate
You'll need to have a passion for the natural world and wildlife programme making and a gifted eye, with the potential to compose exquisite images and full sequences. Experience of shooting underwater in 4K is essential as is an understanding of underwater photographic techniques applicable to wildlife production.

You must be a highly competent and professionally qualified diver, ideally HSE Part IV/SCUBA (although for experienced divers there may be an option to complete this in the early stages of the placement). Ideally you'll have rebreather training and experience, with an in date HSE dive medical (or the country equivalent). A strong knowledge and understanding of the safety considerations when planning and undertaking a diving shoot/expedition will also be required.

You should have a strong understanding of the underlying principles of video and still digital photography; and be able to operate with confidence a range of appropriate equipment used in footage acquisition and media management.

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential, as is the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and situations not always under our control. You should be able to demonstrate a proven ability to build strong relationships with programme contributors and collaborators and work effectively within a team.