News Director
(Executive Producer - News & Public Affairs)
Official Title: Administrative Program Manager II
Unit: Wisconsin Public Television, University of Wisconsin-Extension
Appointment: Academic Staff 100% fixed term appointment
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Availability: Open until filled, to be assured consideration, please respond by July 30
POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Producer is responsible for overseeing and administering Wisconsin Public Television's (WPT's) projects for News and Public Affairs. This covers a broad range of activities including production for broadcast, web and related media; civic journalism; production management; and leading a team of experienced, award-winning journalists. Projects are both internally and externally funded. NPA is defined broadly and includes programs such as news magazines, political talk, debates, issue and event coverage, cultural (ie: music, gardening) and documentaries. The common threads are editorial responsibility and integrity as well as determining and creating/maintaining the best possible NPA service for the people of Wisconsin. The primary emphasis is on local/statewide projects, but also includes some national activities. The position reports to the Director of Production.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Journalistic and creative supervision of NPA department. 1. Function as project director or executive producer on all NPA projects. 2. Directly supervise producers; overseeing and participating in the creative and journalistic supervision of their staff. 3. Set and maintain journalistic and creative standards for NPA productions and projects. 4. Generate ideas for segments, shows and new media projects; expand on ideas with multi-platform approaches to reach broadest possible audience; initiate and implement program and project ideas. 5. Look broadly at NPA projects and mission, seeking new applications, activities and partnerships which extend and enhance broadcast; be aware of changing technology and media consumption trends of core and other audiences; propose projects that reflect media landscape. 6. Work in partnership with Wisconsin Public Radio, other public broadcasting entities and other organizations with complimentary missions on projects that further the reach and mission of NPA. 7. Write funding proposals when necessary and participate in other funding activities as required. 8. Evaluate and critique shows and proposals and make recommendations to Dir. of Production. 9. Maintain the highest level of journalism standards and ideals for all projects. B. Administrative supervision of the NPA department 1. Supervise and evaluate NPA personnel and make recommendations about staffing levels, hiring and termination of staff. Responsible and accountable for affirmative action efforts including employment, promotion and training. 2. Oversee development and management of NPA budget and individual production budgets. Responsible for working within budgets. 3. Oversee scheduling and project assignment of all department members. 4. Responsible for NPA compliance with policies, legal requirements, mandated record keeping, etc. 5. Maintain close working relationships with other station departments to ensure positive working relationships and open communication. C. Planning 1. Work with NPA staff to develop short and long range plans and goals for news and public affairs projects. 2. Work with Senior Management to ensure that program goals for NPA productions conform with objectives/needs of station. 3. Participate in WPT management planning activities for NPA and WPT as a whole. 4. Maintain contact with statewide community through attendance at community events, meetings with community people and leaders, and research related to the needs of the statewide community. 5. Maintain in-depth awareness/knowledge of public policy issues of the state. D. Journalistic supervision of Outreach Department broadcast productions 1. Working in partnership with Director of Community Outreach, function as Executive Producer overseeing content in Outreach broadcast productions. E. Other related duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS · Flexibility, resiliency and ability to change focus depending on breaking news, resources available and/or other factors · Organizational ability to provide oversight of multiple on-going projects simultaneously while scrupulously meeting deadlines, budget constraints and editorial and ethical journalism standards · Creative, journalistic and administrative supervision of NPA staff · Clear, articulate and persuasive communication to team members, station personnel and outside contacts · Ability and comfort making editorial recommendations and decisions · Occasional work on nights/weekends; understanding that television production is not an 8-5 M-F profession
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS · Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. · Minimum 5 years experience reporting or producing live and recorded news or public affairs programs or reports for television, including at least 3 years in news management or comparable leadership position · Demonstrated leadership skills to lead an experienced team of creative, award-winning journalists · Teaching and mentoring skills to nurture documentarians, producers and storytellers, including expanding their skills in new media · Evidence of creative, journalistically solid approaches to a variety of types of program production · Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multi-cultural audiences and individuals · Superior communication skills both oral and written; experience critiquing and providing constructive feedback on ideas, scripts, rough cuts and programs. · Experience and success in developing and maintaining departmental budgets/individual production budgets.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS · Familiarity with political, public policy, economic, cultural and other issues in Wisconsin · Experience working with new media including delivery via web and various PDA platforms · Experience/success working with media partnerships · Experience working on-camera hosting, anchoring or reporting
SALARY: Salary for this position is $47,381 to $71,072. Actual pay will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. UW-Extension offers a comprehensive benefits package.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications will be reviewed beginning on 7/31/08. Please include:
1. A completed UW-Extension application form, survey and confidentiality notice 2. A detailed resume 3. A narrative detailing HOW your experience relates to the duties and qualifications of this position 4. Broadcast samples (on DVD) of your work including reports and/or at least one sample of a documentary, news or public affairs program including a brief written description of your specific role in the broadcast project(s). ALSO send an original broadcast script writing sample. 5. Contact information, including email address, for five professional references whom we may contact, including at least one supervisory reference 6. Recruitment source where you learned about this position
Successful candidate will be required to provide documentation of credentials. Prior to appointment to this position, a criminal records review will be conducted. UWEX complies with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act with regard to nondiscrimination on the basis of arrest and/or conviction record.
DIRECT INQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS TO:
Betsy NelsonThis document can be made available in alternative formats by calling the person listed above.
Under Wisconsin Statutes, if asked, UW-Extension is required to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested, in writing, that their identities remain confidential. The identities of all finalists must be released upon request.
An offer of employment is contingent upon establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements. Persons of color, women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Volunteer Manager, WPT
Who we are…
Wisconsin Public Television/PBS is a network of six stations with 50 years of leadership and innovation in public broadcasting programming, outreach, fund raising and volunteer activities. We are proud of our creative environment and our reputation for achievements in development. Our volunteer program has been recognized for excellence by the National Friends of Public Broadcasting. WPT is headquartered on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison , which is rated as one of the most livable cities in the US .
Responsibilities
This person will manage a large and complex volunteer program, with more than 2,000 volunteers contributing 17,000 hours of service annually. The Volunteer Manager has comprehensive responsibility for recruitment, training, scheduling and evaluation of volunteers for fund raising projects including membership drives, the WPT Auction and special events. S/He acts as the primary liaison between staff and volunteers, develops volunteer-related training materials, markets volunteer opportunities and plans and monitors budgets.
Qualifications
This is a high-energy position that requires flexibility and resiliency in the face of shifting demands and priorities. Demonstrated success working with leading and training people for two or more years is required, as is a bachelor’s degree. The right candidate will possess a high degree of computer literacy and strongly developed interpersonal skills.
Compensation
WPT offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. The minimum salary for this position is $35,008. Actual pay will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.
Want to learn more? Please see the full position posting at www.wpt.org. For an application, position description and submission requirements, contact Betsy Nelson, Wisconsin Public Television, 821 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706 or [email protected] 608-262-5221. http://www.wpt.org/about/employment/
Audience Services Manager
The Organization
We are Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television and our programming reaches a statewide audience of 600,000 (Television) and 400,000 (Radio) every week. We have a reputation for innovation and success. In addition to nationally distributed programs, we produce many award winning and popular programs for local and statewide audiences. We are proud of our creative environment, our reputation for broadcast excellence and the partnership we’ve built with our audience.
The Opportunity
Our audience shows no reluctance to contact us with comments and questions, averaging 200 contacts per day. The Audience Services unit responds to these calls, e-mails and letters. The individual we seek must enjoy the close collaboration and have the composed demeanor necessary to respond to all callers. This position is a key contributor who will have professional visibility throughout our broadcasting operations.
Accountabilities
The person in this position will be responsible for supervising the day-to-day activities of the Audience Services Department, building audience loyalty and membership. This is a working-manager position, responsive to the Directors of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television. In addition, executing the marketing plan for the Audio Store and for the Wisconsin Public Television catalogue sales is a significant duty. Tracking broadcasting issues and anticipating audience response is another important accountability.
Qualifications
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, the appropriate candidate will have demonstrated success in a professional position such as a call center, customer support, office management or closely related experience. Experience and demonstrated ability to consistently respond to callers or customers in a warm and helpful manner is essential. Strong organizational and research skills are required. Creativity and communication skills and the ability to work comfortably in and support a diverse environment are all required.
Compensation
University of Wisconsin-Extension offers a comprehensive benefits package; the salary range for the Audience Services Manager is $39,500 – 44,000 with actual pay dependent upon experience.
Want to learn more? Please see the full posting for this position on our web site www.wpt.org/about/employment. For an application form, full position description and submission requirements contact Betsy Nelson, 821 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706. [email protected]. Wisconsin Public Broadcasting and the University of Wisconsin-Extension are EEO/AA employers.
Wisconsin Public Radio has News and Talk Opportunities
Join a growing team of 25 news and talk professionals at Wisconsin Public Radio, a network with a tradition of innovation and service that began in 1917 and continues today.
Seven regional bureaus and 29 public radio stations broadcasting two streams of programming throughout Wisconsin – The Ideas Network and the NPR News and Classical Network. WPR consistently serves a weekly cume of more than 400,000 and has a membership base of 42,000.
1) Morning Edition Producer
Work with program host and news director to determine interview segments; schedule and edit interviews; produce program breaks, gather sound, and write stories. Put your creative juices to work toward encouraging new audiences to discover WPR’s Morning Edition. Location: Madison.
2) Morning Drive Talk Producer/Director
Bring a fresh perspective to morning drive on the Ideas Network of WPR. Help to set the vision and direction of the program, controlling flow and monitoring on-air sound during live broadcast. Work with our experienced morning team in a fast-paced environment producing current affairs call-in programming. Schedule guests, edit audio, and continually improve website content. Location: Madison
3) Afternoon Drive Talk Producer
Produce WPR’s call-in program during afternoon drive. Work with an experienced host to produce current events programming focusing on state and national issues. Pre-interview and schedule compelling guests who will engage listeners in intelligent conversation on the news of the day. Develop website content and find creative ways to use audio. Location: Milwaukee or Madison
4) LaCrosse Regional Reporter
Share the issues and events of southwest Wisconsin with the entire state. WPR is seeking a news reporter who can find and tell the compelling stories of this region, and who can participate as a valued member of a statewide news team. Help make the on-air presence of WPR a valued part of listeners’ lives. Location: La Crosse.
These positions require a bachelor’s degree, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team. For best consideration, apply by January 18.
Please see the complete position descriptions and application requirements at www.wpr.org/about/. Send completed applications to Betsy Nelson, Broadcasting & Media Innovations, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706 or call 608-262-5221; e-mail [email protected]. An EEO/AA employer.
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