The News Director develops the station’s news agenda and directs newsgathering, as well as identifying, coordinating, assigning, gathering, editing and producing short and long form digital and broadcast news for local, regional and national distribution.

Establishes clear, NPR-style newsgathering and reporting policies. The News Director develops and maintains the station’s editorial standards. Trains, mentors and supervises KAZU reporters, student assistants and interns.

 

This position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include. but are not limited to. the following:
News Direction

• Ensures KAZU local news reports and news programs meet editorial and ethical standards and are thoroughly researched, balanced, accurate, engaging and professionally produced.
• Serves as reporter, anchor, producer or executive producer for news programs. May serve as substitute host for local broadcast of All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition Saturday.
• For breaking news after normal business hours, the News Director is expected to liaise with the station’s Technical Operations Chief  - or designee - to determine the best approach to special coverage.
• Works with NPR to get local stories on the national network and, when possible, covers breaking news that is of national interest. Works with the California Newsroom to increase collaboration.
• Ensures creation of clear guidelines for any outside work performed by full-time news staff

Supervision

• Hires and trains reporters and interns. Ensures the editorial integrity and production values of assigned stories .
• Supervises, and is responsible for, the performance and evaluation of KAZU news staff, student assistants and interns on the news team.
• Seeks out professional development opportunities for news staff on a regular schedule.

Reporting

• Reports and writes news for broadcast and digital platforms.
• Gather sound, photos and video for news stories.
• Responds to breaking news, when necessary.
• Attends newsworthy meetings and events.
• Vets and interviews sources for news stories.

 Operations

• Maintains station’s Public file, Issues and Programs Report of local news coverage and programming.

Pledge Drive

• Participates in on-air appeals.
• May produce pitch breaks, determine pledge personnel, identify pitch opportunities, break lengths and   operate the board during pledge periods. Helps coordinate scheduling and may help cultivate on-air talent.

General Expectations

• Maintains relationships with KAZU and university departments, public broadcasting stations and networks, local and regional news organizations and regional nonprofit groups.

WORK LOCATION

• Hybrid Position
  • 66% minimum in-office/on-site following the initial training period. (3 days/week)
• On-Site Position
• Work Location: KAZU, Building 201, Gavilan Hall, CSUMB campus and remote

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated journalistic, editorial, news gathering and producing experience. Knowledge of NPR editorial and production standards. Experience with standard broadcast equipment and “live assist/automation” systems such as ENCO, as well as studio and remote production tools is desirable.
• High level of reliability and responsibility and ability to lead a team; ability to work independently, exercise superb judgment, and demonstrate skills to do short, medium and long term news planning.
• Ability to meet deadlines; timely and effective decision making in situations that require prompt attention, often under stressful conditions.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills. Ability to be flexible, and adapt to a rapidly changing work environment. Knowledge and abilities to lead, manage, coach and develop staff.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a university environment with a diverse staff. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, administrators, staff, students and private and public agencies.
• Experience with basic web editing software. Knowledge of social media to share KAZU’s work with online audiences.
• Ability and willingness to work outside regular business hours, including nights and weekends as dictated by the unpredictable nature of news. Duties will require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.
• Ability to respond in a timely manner as it relates to emergencies and breaking news.
• Participating in an on-call rotation may be required.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, auto insurance, complete the Defensive Driving training and participate in the DMV Pull Notice Program. 

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and/or at least three years, successful, full-time, professional, progressively responsible, journalism experience in the news department of a public broadcasting entity  or equivalent. Combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted for education requirement year-for-year.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the CSUMB Vision Statement and the core values of mutual respect, collaboration and service orientation, multiculturalism and diversity, community service and institutional excellence.
• Supervisory experience

SALARY AND BENEFITS 
The University Corporation is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students, and the customers we serve. Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. Our salary schedule is available here.
 
The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $110,000. Classification: Grade 8, Management.  This is an exempt position and as such is not eligible for the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Corporation offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits, contributory retirement plan, TSA (403b), and other benefits. Please review our benefits guide for details about sick time, vacation, and holidays.