5090 Reporter-Editor, KSMU & OPT

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Reporter-Editor, KSMU & OPT

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5090

GRADE 42

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director of News and Content Coordinator

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Reporter-Editor, KSMU & OPT employs storytelling, imagination, empathy, journalism ethics, and technical skill to produce content for the broadcast and digital platforms of the KSMU News Department, with an emphasis on governmental affairs reporting and citizen impact storytelling; to contribute to public affairs programming on Ozarks Public Television (OPT); to train and coach student journalists; and to contribute to the organization’s public service mission and commitment to earning and maintaining public trust.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Journalism, Electronic Media, or a related field is required.

Experience: At least one year of experience in journalism, with practical experience in the area of news/features reporting is required. Experience with audio editing software is preferred. Experience in local government reporting is preferred. Experience in public media is preferred. Experience filing with a national network is preferred. Experience in TV reporting/producing is preferred.

Skills: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills are required. The ability to articulate and demonstrate journalistic ethics is required. The ability to operate technical audio broadcast equipment is required. The ability to train and work with students is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Radio news writing and investigative journalism skills are preferred.

Other: The position requires availability to respond to emergencies as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Generates news content by pitching, researching, reporting, writing, editing, and voicing original stories on a broad range of subjects for KSMU’s broadcast and website.

2. Creates broadcast and digital content that explains local public policy and illustrates through storytelling its impact on residents.

3. Develops and maintains professional relationships with local officials, policymakers, business leaders, subject matter experts, and other community members to assist in research and reporting of news content.

4. Produces sound-rich audio stories for broadcast on KSMU, with proficiency in all elements of the audio production process.

5. Produces content for KSMU’s website and other digital media, with proficiency in content creation and presentation in KSMU’s website content management system.

6. Contributes to journalistic collaborations as a representative of KSMU/OPT as assigned, including local, statewide, and regional partnerships.

7. Provides production support for KSMU special programs, such as Making Democracy Work, Making a Difference, and Studio Live.

8. Contributes to KSMU’s mission to educate journalists, by providing training, coaching, editing, and other guidance of student journalists as assigned by Director of News and Content Coordinator.

9. Contributes to the public radio system by developing and maintaining a relationship with NPR’s regional bureau chief; pitching original stories for consideration on national news programs and newscasts; and responding to requests for local support of national news coverage.

10. Produces, writes, edits, and serves as on-air talent for OPT public affairs programming.

11. Adheres to all KSMU and OPT policies and procedures to ensure ethical and effective public service to the community.

12. Participates in on-air and community-based fundraising and engagement activities as assigned.

13. Promotes a positive image of the stations and University through participation in community and professional organizations, representing the stations and University at professional meetings and on community committees, and establishing and maintaining credible relations with local and area news media.

14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Director of News and Content Coordinator.

16. Contributes to the overall success of Broadcast Services by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Reporter-Editor, KSMU & OPT is supervised by the Director of News and Content Coordinator and will supervise interns and student employees.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

NOVEMBER 2021

JOB FAMILY 4

Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery

Level 3.0 - 1500 Points: Entry-level knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, and methods of an administrative, managerial, technical, or professional specialty. Knowledge permits employee to carry out basic recurring tasks and routine portions of assignments or to carry out less demanding professional elements of assignments in professional or technical areas including accounting or auditing, financial management, business administration, human resources, law, engineering, science, or medicine, while gaining familiarity with the University's policies and goals, business practices, and/or accounting systems. This level of knowledge permits the employee to schedule and carry out the steps of a limited operation or project, or to complete stages of a multi-phase project. Alternatively, knowledge at this level might also permit the employee to carry out recurring tasks and routine assignments requiring moderate experience in specific areas within higher education. Knowledge at this level is typically acquired through a combination of formal education and/or training and experience that includes a requirement for a college degree in a specific technical or professional specialty. Knowledge requirements may also include a limited amount of related work experience. Alternatively, equivalent knowledge requirements at this level include a non-technical or general Bachelor's degree requirement with a moderate level of additional related work experience or a non-specific Master's degree requirement with some related work experience.

Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility

Level 2.0 - 130 Points: Regular, but limited, supervision, training, or directing the work assignments of (a) small numbers of student, part-time or temporary workers, or (b) one or more permanent, full-time employees. The nature of supervision is largely confined to scheduling work and assigning tasks. Supervision at this level typically does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities, and supervisory duties typically do not consume a large portion of the work day.

Factor 3: Interactions with Others

Level 4.0 - 500 Points: Interactions with others are somewhat unstructured. The purpose may be to influence or motivate others, to obtain information, or to control situations and resolve problems. Interactions may be with individuals or groups of co-workers, students, or the general public, may be moderately unstructured, and may involve persons who hold differing goals and objectives. Individuals at this level often act as a liaison between groups with a focus on solving particular unstructured problems. Interactions at this level require considerable interpersonal skill and the ability to resolve conflict.

Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines

Level 2.0 - 250 Points: The employee carries out a group of procedures using the general methods and desired results indicated by the supervisor. Typically, standard operating procedures, handbooks, and/or reference manuals exist for most procedures, but the employee must select from the most appropriate of several guidelines and make minor adjustments to methods. Unforeseen situations are normally referred to others for resolution. Assignments are related in function and objective, but processes, procedures, or software varies from one assignment to another. Based on the assignment, the employee uses diverse, but conventional, methods, techniques, or approaches. Employees in jobs at this level may perform work that is moderately complex, but normally performed within a fairly narrow and specific functional area.

Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility

Level 2.0 - 400 Points: Work involves services including collecting, processing, and disseminating information and providing advice to others. Work activities may be complex and likely affect the accuracy, reliability, or acceptability of further processes or services to the extent that others rely on the advice given in order to make decisions. Work activities typically affect the efficiency of the department but have relatively minor effects on operations within the cost center. Individuals in jobs at this level are often responsible for actively documenting, monitoring, and controlling expenditures. Incumbents may recommend minor expenditures, but have no substantive authority over budgets.