Item 9.D-October 7, 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
Position #(s): 16061
Current Title: News Director
Current Range: 2
(JCC:76294;3C;CM8557;CC271;E)
Department: KUNR
College/Division: Provost
Account #(s): 1300-109-0704
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from
(X) 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
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
David Stipech-General Manager
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Vice Provost and Secretary of University
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #: 16061
EEO Code:
3C
CUPA Code: CM8557
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 271
Job Class Code: 68660
Range: 2
Effective Date:
Approved Title:
NEWS DIRECTOR
____________________________________________________________
__________________
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 – News Director
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 News Director for KUNR manages and directs all the activities of the news department and is
responsible for broadcast news and public affairs, staff and resource development, participation in
fundraising for the station, and occasionally substituting as on-air host. The News Director coordinates
and leads the editorial direction of news content, writes and produces news reports and live and
recorded local newscast packages; conducts interviews and researches newsworthy events for
stories; and develops news content of website. The individual trains and directs news staff, interns
and volunteers; provides editing and feedback to staff in production and direction of news content.
The News Director acts as a resource person for staff and provides counsel to station management
relating to news operations. The News Director reports to the KUNR Station Manager.
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).
75% - Broadcast News & Public Affairs
 Determine, plan and schedule daily news content
 Effectively organize, prioritize, plan and execute daily administrative, operational and news
tasks
 Coordinate and lead the editorial direction of news content
 Initiate, seek and respond to requests and conduct interviews and research news stories for
coverage of relevant, newsworthy events of the day
 Write and edit news copy, local news reports and feature stories
 Write, edit, create and post news content text, graphics and audio to station website
 Host, produce/participate in local news and public affairs programs
 Voice live and recorded local newscast packages
 Develop a network of key contacts throughout the broadcast region
 Manage e-mail and phone communication of the news department
 Maintain work standards in recording studios
 Maintain work records and reports for station
 Prepare detailed planning of news events
20% - Staff & Resource Development
 Effectively organize and direct news department projects and personnel
 Establish news guidelines and news team culture
 Lead ongoing training, frequent team meetings and day-to-day news coaching of on-air staff
 Develop and nurture network of news sources and voices from KUNR’s translator communities
 Establish, oversee, train and direct news resources including interns and volunteers
 Provide input to Station Manager for evaluating on-air staff’s news product
 Provide feedback to the staff involved in production and direction of news content;
 Act as a resource person for the staff and provide counsel to station management relating to
news operations
5% - Substitute On-Air Host & Fundraising
 Occasionally may host on-air program shifts
 Participate in member drives and other station fundraising and community events
Position Description – News Director
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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 broad guidelines set by the Station Manager, the News Director operates without direct daily
supervision, with wide latitude for independent decision making. The News Director communicates
and seeks approval of any changes to the structure, philosophy, priorities, resources or staffing of the
news department or news content.
Impact:
Under the direction of the News Director, the station’s news broadcasts have a direct impact on the
current and future operation of the station and the reputation of the University of Nevada, Reno.
KUNR is a primarily 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:
 Public radio
 Basic managerial or supervisory principles
 Current trends in newsgathering, reporting and production for public radio
 Current regional and national affairs
 NPR news programming and news schedules
 Associated Press (AP) News Desk software-Associated Press news database
 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
Strong organizational and time management skills
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, and automation software, such as AudioVAULT
Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
Skilled at editing, working with digital audio files
Ability to:
 Work effectively and positively with others individually and as part of a team
 Maintain a professional personal appearance and attitude
Position Description – News Director
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Work quickly and concisely with demonstrated ability to present live and ad-lib unscripted
reports with continuity, meaning and clarity while on deadline
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
Foster passion and enthusiasm for news and public affairs
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
University Faculty
University Staff
Reason for Contact
To gather news and communicate and discuss related information
To gather news and communicate and discuss related information
To gather news and communicate and discuss related information
To gather news and communicate and discuss related information
External
Community Members
Business Leaders
Community Leaders
Community donors and
members
Reason for Contact
To gather news
To gather news
To gather news
To raise funds for KUNR
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 two years or a Master’s Degree and one year of full-time
radio/TV news reporting
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None