News Director at KVNF

Job Title: News Director at KVNF

Reports to: General Manager

Terms: Salaried, Full-time 36-40 hours per week

KVNF seeks the next leader for our award-winning news and public affairs department. This is a unique opportunity to build your own team based on hiring a staff reporter and freelance journalists. Come work for a 42 years-strong pillar of the rural areas the station serves. We are growing our coverage and have experienced great accolades, and garnered widespread community support due to the visionary management of the Board of Directors and a hard-working staff.

In this position you will execute an editorial agenda, produce a five days a week 8-minute newscast, manage a reporter and freelancers, and provide your own coverage of stories throughout our 10,000 square-mile listening area. Ideal candidates have strong management skills and the ability to produce high quality news and public affairs programming.

Job Summary

The News Director is responsible for the News and Public Affairs Department, and oversees the editorial agenda of the department. They are responsible for producing a daily 8-minute newscast five days a week along with managing a reporter, and helping to identify and report on a wide range of issues relevant to communities. The News Director will have strong management skills, a confident voice, and a professional news delivery that fits into both NPR and KVNF’s programming and journalistic standards. The position is based out of the North Fork Valley or Montrose area and requires flexibility with the work schedule during certain times of the year.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

● Researches, writes, reports, and produces a wide variety of stories for morning and a repeat for evening newscasts.

● Select material most pertinent to the KVNF audience from our news service partnerships, and freelance pitches. Write headlines attributed to trusted sources, and organize this material into an appropriate format for the newscast.

● Train, assist, and edit gathered actualities, spots, wraps and voicers for newscasts

● Produce a half-hour public affairs show, Local Motion, as needed

● Post original content to KVNF website and social media platforms

● Train and assist with morning hosting during NPR Morning Edition

● Provide up-to-the-minute breaking/emergency news coverage as appropriate and monitor NPR breaking news announcements

● Scan area media outlets for breaking and relevant regional news

● Sets and meets deadlines and completes assigned duties on time

● Assists in fundraising efforts and community outreach including events and membership drives as needed including occasional nights and weekends

● Attends and participates in all general staff meetings and one on one check-ins with the General Manager

● Leads and participates in weekly news story meetings

● Attends (in person or virtually) and covers government meetings

● Other duties as assigned by the GM

● Engages in the community as a respectful representative of KVNF

Minimum Requirements

The News Director must have at least 1-2 years of experience in journalism. Demonstrated experience in hosting, board operations, audio and digital editing and strong verbal reporting skills are required. A strong interest in local and regional news is expected along with strong oral and written communication skills. An understanding of NPR’s programming, philosophy, style, and code of ethics is essential. An ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work independently is necessary. At KVNF you will work with a diverse group of volunteers, staff members, and freelancers. Community radio or nonprofit experience is a plus.

Essential Core Competencies: Management Skills-the ability to clearly communicate and delegate tasks/responsibilities, Written and Verbal Communication, Organizing and Planning, Active Listening.

Essential Physical Functions: Ability to travel to reporting gigs, events, fundraisers, and Studio M facility in Montrose.

Equipment used: Audio engineering equipment, broadcast equipment, and computers with specialized software, like extensive knowledge of Adobe Audition (which we use, or other audio editing software) and Google Suite.

Conformance Standards

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

● Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.

● Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.

● Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.

● Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.

The position is based in Western Colorado and requires a willingness to be flexible in the work schedule during certain times of the year. It is salaried with minimum hours of 36 per week. The salary range is $43,000 - $47,000 depending on experience. Health stipend, generous paid time off, and mileage reimbursement available.

Ready to apply?

The Open Media Foundation is recruiting on behalf of KVNF Community Radio. Applicants will need to send a cover letter, references, resume and three links or files to samples of your work by 5 PM on Monday, July 25th to [email protected] with "News Director at KVNF" in the subject line.

KVNF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation. All personnel and employment decisions shall be administered on the same non-discriminatory basis.

News Director at KVNF