Assistant News Director
Pacific Public Media
Seattle
,
WA
Application Deadline: Thursday, Sep 30, 2021
Description
ABOUT KNKX
KNKX is a Puget Sound area public media outlet, dedicated to bringing jazz, blues, regional news, and NPR programs to the Northwest and beyond. As an independent station, KNKX employees are energized in their mission to provide the very best service to over 400,000 listeners on-air and online, to engage closely with community members and the public media industry to constantly improve and innovate, and to present music and stories that educate, inspire, and expand horizons. KNKX offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. We have offices in Seattle and Tacoma.
The mission of the KNKX Newsroom is to serve as an authoritative, thoughtful, and distinctive journalistic voice that people rely on to tell the story of and for the region. That mission is served when our newsroom includes people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. Our organization aims to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the place we live.
We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Assistant News Director oversees daily news coverage for broadcast, primarily working with the newsroom’s four daily news reporters (environment, social justice, South Sound and general assignment/TBD). This person assigns both breaking news and enterprise stories and thinks creatively through a story’s cycle: an idea, reporting approach and final format (spot, feature, live debrief, two-way). This person executes the newsroom’s mission, thinking broadly about What Is News? and ensuring that our coverage is inclusive and reflective of the diverse region that we serve. This person works closely with the News Director in leading the newsroom and fills in for the News Director when she is not available.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervises four reporters and their beat coverage, assigning and editing stories for broadcast and ensuring the production meets newsroom and industry standards.
- Anticipates and helps coordinate daily news coverage for All Things Considered, Morning Edition and both Weekend Edition broadcasts.
- Feeds stories from our regional partners for broadcast.
- Takes the helm in breaking news situations.
- Maps out newsroom operation plans.
- May be asked to edit tape, write copy and fill-in host.
- Participates in station membership campaigns and community-building events.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- An understanding of the daily news cycle and the work involved in reporting and producing stories for broadcast.
- Advanced skills in producing high-quality audio in all formats and writing and editing broadcast copy.
- Ability to shape and edit complex stories, including narrative features and enterprise stories.
- Comfortable working in high pressure situations while managing a team of reporters and juggling myriad deadlines.
- Ability to work in a creative team environment, both remotely and in-person, and communicate effectively with supervisor and colleagues.
- Ability to carry a news reporter kit to interviews, meetings, and other news events and file remotely.
- Knowledge of journalistic ethics and standards, specifically the standards of NPR News.
- Ability to host a daily news program.
- Ability to teach radio skills to journalists from other mediums
- Understands and supports Pacific Public Media’s public service mission, and PPM’s Principles and Values Statement.
- Ability to use and adapt to basic news technology, including: computers, phones, radio consoles, digital recorders, and cameras.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of five years professional journalism experience as an editor/producer in radio/audio.
- Experience in daily news as well as in initiating and executing enterprise and multi-part stories.
- Experience making editorial decisions for beat coverage and/or in breaking news situations.
- Knowledge of AP Style.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- A driver’s license and/or the ability to reliably report from locations throughout western Washington.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in public broadcasting.
- Experience managing or assistant managing a team of journalists
- Knowledge of a language other than English
The salary range for this position is $68,000 – $73,000 per year.