Job Listings & Resources

Date Posted: 7/15/2008

Position Title: Assistant Manager of Programming and Operations

Organization: Northwest Public Radio

Description: Northwest Public Radio (NWPR)/Washington State University (WSU) invites applications for the position of Assistant Manager of Programming and Operations for its public radio operation.  This is a full-time, 12-month, permanent Administrative/Professional position which reports to the Manager of Programming and Operations. 

Principle Duties:  Assist Manager of Programming and Operation in the daily programming and operations functions of NWPR network and supervises and directs the work of part-time on-air staff.

Position Description:

15%  E Assist Supervisor in the technical administration of satellite and program acquisition equipment, automation system design and event programming, operation of audio production facilities and distribution networks, remote control systems for transmitters, and additional broadcast systems as they come on line. Serve as liaison between radio and engineering by reporting technical problems and following up on their resolutions.

15%  E Respond to off-hours station problems and emergencies.  Facilitate resolution of technical issues related to network operational needs. Requires extended hours, including weekend, evening, and holiday work, as needed.  Initiate necessary corrective procedures to ensure smooth on-air operations. 

15%  E Hire, manage, evaluate, supervise and air-check members of the part-time announcing staff.  Assist Manager of Programming and Operations in supervision and air-checking of the full-time announcing staff.

15%  E Serve as program host/announcer, including coverage of shifts in the absence of other hosts/announcers.  Prepare, write, schedule, and produce station ID’s, promotional announcements and other program elements, specials or features.

10%  E Supervise preparation of daily program logs and technical schedules.  Assists as needed in traffic.  Back-up in absence of Traffic Manager.  Maintain operations reports, logs and other required documents in accordance with FCC legal broadcasting requirements.  Take necessary action to insure that stations operate within legal limits.

10%  E Assists the Manager of Programming and Operations in developing programming strategies for broadcast and new media platforms.  Supervises selection of regional news reports for broadcast.

5%   E Interact with listener, donors and other members of the public.  Respond to inquiries and complaints.  Attend station events and assist with donor cultivation.

5%   E Assist with planning of on-air fundraising.  Be part of on-air pitch team during fund drives.

5%   E Collaborate with Murrow School of Communications on projects of mutual benefit.

5%   Other duties as assigned.
 
Qualifications/Requirements: Demonstrated experience in public radio including, but not limited to; programming, operations, new media, fundraising, supervision of staff and volunteers, budgeting, traffic, automation, production, and public relations.  Ability to organize, plan and schedule a variety of programming activities.  Demonstrated on-air experience.  Must be able to effectively operate multi-station radio network board and monitor remote transmitters with a minimum of errors.  Ability to administer radio automation software and audio routing systems.  Ability to write, produce, and edit ID’s, promos and other program elements.  Demonstrated skills in interpersonal communications.  Computer proficiency with MS Office and ratings software.  Demonstrated customer service skills.  Appreciation of the benefits of a diverse workplace and willingness to take actions to enhance the diversity of WSU.

Work Conditions/Physical Requirements:  Extended work at master control console, telephone and computer required.  Respond to off-hours station problems and emergencies.  Requires extended hours, including weekend, evening, and holiday work, as needed.  Must be able to effectively move between control rooms, offices, music library, and floors.  Frequent vertical and horizontal reaching required.  Must have valid drivers license.

Minimum Qualifications:  A Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, mass communications or closely related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional radio experience which has included experience in programming, operations, or traffic.  Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Prefer experience in classical music and/or news and information formats; experience in training and air-checking announcers; knowledge of news, classical music and operations; experience interpreting audience research; excellent on-air skills; proven on-air fundraising success; and knowledge of audience-building techniques.

Department: NWPR operates two program services on thirteen stations, serving small and medium size markets in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia.  “The NPR News” stations are located in Pullman, WA, (KWSU-AM); Moses Lake, WA, (KLWS-FM); Walla Walla, WA, (KWWS-FM); Mount Vernon, WA (KMWS-FM); and Omak, WA, (KQWS-FM).  “NPR and Classical Music” stations are located in Moscow, ID, (KRFA-FM); Richland/Pasco/Kennewick, WA, (KFAE-FM); Yakima, WA, (KNWY-FM); Ellensburg/Wenatchee, WA, (KNWR-FM); Clarkston, WA, (KNWV-FM); Bellingham, WA, (KZAZ-FM); Port Angeles, WA, (KNWP-FM); and Cottonwood/Grangeville, ID, (KNWO-FM).   Six translators also provide public radio service throughout eastern and central Washington.  Conversion to HD has been completed on half of the network’s stations.

In addition to NWPR, Educational & Public Media operates KWSU/KTNW Public Television and Academic Media Services (AMS).  KWSU and KTNW are PBS affiliates that offer local, regional and national programming.  KWSU-TV is located in Pullman, and KTNW-TV is located in Richland/Pasco/Kennewick.  Both stations provide HD services.  The signals are extended by translators serving the Lewis/Clark Valley and the Beverly/Vantage areas and by cable operations in eastern Washington and adjoining portions of Idaho and Oregon.  The KWSU/KTNW master control services are operated out of joint facilities in Spokane, Washington.

AMS provides videoconferencing-over-IP instruction to and from classroom sites across the state of Washington serving students at WSU's urban campuses and learning centers.  It also provides classroom design, construction and technology support, equipment checkout, IP video services and streamed media in support of WSU courses.

The organization employs a full-time staff of 68, plus 40 part-time employees.

University:  Washington State University (WSU) is a land-grant, comprehensive research institution with statewide enrollment of approximately 22,000 students with campuses in Pullman, Spokane, the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick) and Vancouver.  There are ten colleges and a graduate school.  WSU offers some 300 fields of study including more than 150 majors plus many minors, options and certificate programs.   Bachelor’s degrees are available in all major areas, with master’s and doctoral degrees available in most. The University is one of the largest residential universities in the West.  Pullman offers a friendly, small-town living environment.  To learn more about the Pullman community, visit:  http://www.pullmanchamber.com.   The university’s web page (www.wsu.edu) offers information about WSU and the surrounding area.

Salary: DoQ

How to Apply: APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS AUGUST 4, 2008.

Applications must include a cover letter and resume identifying skills and experience related to the specific duties, responsibilities and minimum and preferred qualifications of this position, as well as the name and contact information for three (3) professional references, including one reference who can verify qualifications and experience, and an aircheck to:

Assistant Manager of Programming and Operations Search #5078

PO Box 641222

Pullman, WA  99164-1222

Attn:  Kat Odell, Clerical Manager

odell@wsu.edu

 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.     

Contact: Kat Odell, clerical manager, (509) 335-7586, odell@wsu.edu.

AA/EEO: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens.  All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Washington State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521(v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.