News Director -WVAS

Alabama State University, Institutional Effectiveness, WVAS-FM Radio Station invites applications to fill the News Director position. The News Director manages all daily news operations newsroom assignments that covers breaking news, news items of local and state events, and manages the localization of national stories. The director also manages content strategy, and staff, while increasingly overseeing digital platforms, social media, and web presence to drive audience engagement. The WVAS News Director prepares, writes, and anchors newscasts; produces and/or anchors news programs; and maintains 24-hour accessibility for news coverage and/or management of news staff during breaking news events, setting editorial standards, supervising, and coach reporters (including student interns), ensuring high-quality, ethical, and timely coverage of local news and community events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Overseeing and producing content for the station's website, social media channels, and digital platforms to ensure a cohesive, multi-platform brand presence.
• Manages news department, to include review of expenses, initiate requests for supplies, maintenance of AP and other equipment
• Directs the news activities and supervises the reporters who collect, analyze, write, and broadcast information about noteworthy events.
• Plans the National Public Radio news programming with the assistance of the Program Director
• Evaluates and reviews news staff on air work and reporting abilities
• Makes recommendations for news staff promotions and filling of vacancies among the news staff
• Prepares, writes, and anchors daily and weekend newscasts
• Maintains 24-hour availability for breaking news.
• Prepares, writes, and anchors weekly news recap programs when scheduled
• Acts as executive producer of reporters' broadcasts and programs prior to airing
• Covers and assigns reporters to news events, including news conferences, board and organization meetings, sports and university programs, and governmental agencies
• Conduct in-depth live and prerecorded interviews as required
• Plans, anchors, and hosts special events and emergency news coverage
• Oversees organization of news content on the WVAS website
• Organizes newsroom coverage of "live" events with a standard of excellence
• Acts when required as correspondent for state and national media outlets
• Produces and hosts WVAS news/talk programs as required
• Submits stories to the Associated Press and other national news organizations as requested or when feasible
• Acts as a correspondent for National Public Radio affiliate stations on stories of interest that happen in the Central Alabama Region
• Trains reporters and student interns in the proper fundamentals of newsgathering, canon of journalism, and FCC regulations
• Ensuring all content adheres to FCC regulations, legal standards, and ethical guidelines.
• Train students in newsroom and noncommercial radio operations
• Establishes and maintains good news contacts on and off campus
• Plans and maintains good relations between WVAS and UA-ASU-TSU Educational Radio Corporation, and the listening audience by keeping current on news activities
• Monitor all operational activities, including programming quality of broadcasts for UA-ASU-TSU Educational Radio Corporation
• Develops, directs, manages, and coordinates all programming with UA-ASU-TSU Educational Radio Corporation
• Performs all other job related duties as directed by the supervisor

Bachelor's degree in broadcast media, journalism, communications, speech or related field required, minimum of three years of related experience required. Relevant experience of at least three years, and demonstrable ability, may be substituted for the educational requirement. Must have a valid driver's license with an insurable driving record.

Required knowledge and skills:

• Must have working knowledge of the principles and practices of radio programming and broadcasting.
• Ability to operate broadcast equipment to include control room and digital editing equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with a variety of skilled/unskilled, professional, and administrative personnel.
• Ability to speak in a clear and well modulated manner using correct grammar and pronunciation.
• Exceptional skills editing news print and tape.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of staff, faculty, community members, and volunteers.
• Must be enterprising, creative, and willing to develop community partnerships and alliances.
• Must have working knowledge of basic computer skills, including standard office software programs.
• Must have the ability to render administrative and technical assistance in the operation of a non-commercial radio station.
• Ability to maintain a work schedule with a high degree of promptness and reliability