Item 2.A-July 1, 2011
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable):
Vacant
Current Title:
Position #(s): tba
Current Range:
(JCC: )
Department: KUNR
College/Division: Provost / KUNR
Account #(s): 1311-109-0704
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( X) New position: Proposed Range: 1
Proposed Title: Broadcast Journalist
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
Brandon Rittiman, News Director
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
David Stipech, KUNR Station Manager
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Heather Hardy
Date
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #:
EEO Code: 3C
CUPA Code: CM8550
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 286
Job Class Code: 67105
Range: 1
Effective Date: 7/1/2011
Approved Title:
BROADCAST JOURNALIST
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Employee Signature
Date
(Employee signs and sends to HR for personnel file after PDQ has been “final” stamped for approval)
Rev: 12/1/2008
Position Description – Broadcast Journalist
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Broadcast Journalist for KUNR at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) performs two main
functions. First, the Journalist produces and delivers live local newscasts on the station’s airwaves in
a designated on-air shift (generally half of the workday.) Second, the position researches, conducts
interviews, writes scripts, voices, and creates original radio news stories. In addition to daily original
stories, the incumbent is assigned to lengthier in-depth reports as needed. The Journalist is
responsible for ensuring proper online delivery of all original stories on the station website and via
social networking and acts as an editor when needed by other journalists for peer review. The
Broadcast Journalist assists in training and directs news interns and volunteers. The Broadcast
Journalist reports to the KUNR News Director.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
50% - On-Air News Preparation and Delivery
 Prepare and deliver high-quality local newscasts on live radio at assigned times
 Participate in local news and public affairs programs
40% - Investigating and Writing Stories
 Write and edit news copy, local news reports and feature stories
 Provide thoughtful and constructive review on peers’ stories in progress
 Write, edit, create and post news content text, graphics and audio to station website and social
networks
10% - Station Administrative Duties
 Assist in news planning
 Work with interns and volunteers as assigned to ensure maximum benefit to KUNR
 Participate in member drives and other station fundraising and community events
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
Under the general guidance of the News Director, the broadcast journalist prepares daily newscasts.
While expected to generally follow plans formed by the news department through the editorial
process, the Broadcast Journalist is expected to use his or her best judgment to communicate
breaking and developing news stories to the station’s audience in the most effective way. Ultimately,
the Journalist is expected to own his or her newscasts, making good editorial decisions throughout the
on-air shift. When creating original news stories for other newscasts, the Journalist is expected to
coordinate with the News Director and/or other journalists on staff to ensure a well-planned effort that
results in a polished product for later use. Except in extreme circumstances, peer review is
mandatory.
Position Description – Broadcast Journalist
Page 3
Impact:
With quality preparation and delivery of news stories from the Broadcast Journalist, the station’s news
broadcasts have a direct impact on the current and future operation of the station and the reputation
of UNR. KUNR is primarily a news-and-information station. Strong local and regional news
compliments the strong National Public Radio (NPR) programming that grows listenership and attracts
contributions and business sponsors. Presenting high-quality, thorough and accurate local and
regional news on par with NPR is crucial to KUNR’s continued success and growth.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Broadcast journalism writing styles and production techniques
 Current trends in newsgathering, reporting and production for public radio
 Current regional and national affairs
 NPR news programming and news schedules
 Multimedia technologies
 Policies, procedures and techniques relating to news production
 Journalistic integrity, practices and investigative reporting guidelines
 Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules and regulations
Skills:
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Radio production expertise both in the studio and in the field
Strong, engaging, polished and professional radio voice, and on-air presence
Solid broadcast interview skills; conversational, well-read and articulate
Strong broadcast news writing/judgment, editing and analytical skills
Proficiency in news writing and production software (i.e., Newsboss and Adobe Audition or
similar)
Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and email), Adobe Audition
software
Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
Skilled at editing and working with digital audio files
Ability to:
 Work effectively and positively with others both individually and as part of a team
 Maintain a professional personal appearance and attitude
 Work quickly and concisely with demonstrated ability to present live and ad-lib unscripted
reports with continuity, meaning and clarity while on deadline
 Manage time for maximum quality within deadline restraints
 Enunciate clearly and interpret and read copy fluently
 Accept and apply feedback and direction; adapt quickly to change
 Operate and learn studio equipment
 Quickly conceptualize stories for radio presentation
Position Description – Broadcast Journalist
Page 4
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
KUNR Staff, university
administration, faculty and staff
External
Community members and
leaders and business leaders
Reason for Contact
To gather news and communicate and discuss related information
Reason for Contact
To gather news
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and one year of radio/TV news reporting or related journalism
experience
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None