Morning Edition Producer, WFDD

Job Description Summary

WFDD Public Radio is seeking a Morning Edition Producer / Radio News Producer to help lead local coverage during our station’s most widely heard program. Morning Edition reaches the largest share of WFDD’s audience, and this position plays a central role in delivering timely, relevant, and engaging local radio news each morning.

This role is ideal for a news-driven journalist and broadcast producer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a deep curiosity about what’s happening in their community.

The Morning Edition Producer helps shape daily local newscasts, track breaking and developing stories, write broadcast copy, and support the host in delivering clear and compelling audio journalism for listeners starting their day.

A cover letter is required. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. The cover letter should briefly describe your interest in the position and your approach to producing compelling morning radio news coverage.

Job Description

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

Morning News Production

• Produce and help stack local newscasts during Morning Edition
• Write and edit broadcast-ready radio news copy
• Monitor overnight developments, breaking news, and emerging stories across the coverage area
• Respond to breaking news, severe weather, and public safety events by quickly gathering, verifying, and synthesizing information into clear, accurate, and broadcast-ready updates under tight deadlines
• Identify the most relevant stories for the morning audience

Editorial Support

• Work with reporters and editors to incorporate new reporting, tape, and interviews into morning coverage
• Exercise strong news judgment when selecting and prioritizing stories
• Help ensure the morning newscast reflects the most current information available

Interview & Segment Coordination

• Schedule interviews and short segments tied to developing local stories
• Assist with preparing hosts and reporters for live or recorded segments

Broadcast Operations

• Operate studio equipment or run the board when necessary
• Prepare audio clips and assist with basic audio editing
• Coordinate with newsroom staff to keep the broadcast running smoothly

The strongest candidates will be:

• News junkies who follow local, regional, and national news closely
• Naturally curious journalists who constantly ask “What’s happening?”
• Strong broadcast writers able to produce clear, conversational copy under deadline
• Comfortable making editorial decisions in a live-news environment
• Flexible team players who enjoy working across reporting, production, and technical roles
• Energized by the pace and responsibility of live morning news

Other Functions:

On-Air Support

• Serve as a fill-in host for local newscasts or other programming as needed
• Contribute to fundraising campaigns and pledge drives, including on-air participation when appropriate
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, media, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Understanding of journalistic ethics and standards
• Familiarity with local, regional, and national news cycles
• Knowledge of broadcast news structure and radio storytelling
• Strong broadcast writing skills and the ability to produce clear, conversational copy under deadline
• Demonstrated news judgment and ability to prioritize stories in a live news environment
• Demonstrated ability to cover breaking news, severe weather, or public safety events, including rapidly synthesizing complex information into clear, accurate on-air copy
• Ability to quickly synthesize information from multiple sources and translate it into broadcast-ready content
• Basic audio editing and production skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and in a live broadcast environment
• Ability to remain calm, decisive, and editorially sound during high-pressure, time-sensitive news situations
• Ability to identify news developments and assess their relevance to local audiences
• Ability to collaborate effectively with reporters, editors, and on-air hosts
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing editorial priorities or breaking news situations
• Ability to work early morning hours required for morning broadcast production

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in journalism, communications, media production, or a related field.
• Familiarity with public radio programming and editorial standards
• Knowledge of the communities and issues affecting northwest North Carolina and the surrounding region
• Experience producing or writing for radio news, public radio, or broadcast journalism
• Experience with audio editing software and broadcast production systems
• Experience scheduling interviews and preparing hosts or reporters for live or recorded segments
• Experience operating broadcast studio equipment
• Ability to contribute on-air as a fill-in host
• Ability to support fundraising campaigns and pledge drives
• Ability to work collaboratively across editorial and production teams in a dynamic newsroom