WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO POSITION #EC14016
Position Announcement TAM #9633
Working Title: Lee Ester News Fellow
Official Title: Research Intern – Employee-in-Training
Unit: Wisconsin Public Radio, University of Wisconsin-Extension
Appointment: Academic Staff 75% fixed term appointment, 9 months
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Availability: Review begins after April 25, 2014
BACKGROUND
The Lee Ester News Fellowship is designed for a recent graduate or someone in the early years of his or her career as a radio news reporter. The successful candidate will work as a part-time reporter in Wisconsin Public Radio’s Madison newsroom for nine months, beginning in early June.
Wisconsin Public Radio consists of 2 state-wide networks of 31 stations.
The Lee Ester Fellow will receive close supervision and coaching as a reporter, in areas that include story selection, interviewing, sound editing, writing, and developing in-depth stories. As the successful candidate will be someone who already has some level of experience as an intern or part-time reporter, this will be a higher-level of instruction and feedback, with a higher level of work product expected.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lee Ester News Fellow is considered a developmental reporter at WPR. He or she will be a general-assignment reporter responsible for producing newscast-length stories and, occasionally, feature-length material. Regular and concentrated coaching on writing, editing, voicing and other aspects of radio news reporting is an important developmental element of this fellowship. The news fellow will also contribute to WPR’s online news efforts, such as posting photos or raw audio to our Web site, helping to create special pages for future reporting projects, etc.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Participate in news planning meetings to suggest story ideas, help focus story angles.
2. Responsible for start-to-finish preparation of balanced, issue-oriented, analytical reports as assigned, for use in daily news/information programs and segments/casts. Includes selecting appropriate sources; conducting and recording interviews; writing scripts, and host introductory copy.
3. Will contribute to WPR’s online news coverage, including but not limited to posting news stories, photos and raw audio, and helping to create special pages to highlight reporting series and other projects.
4. As appropriate, and with news director’s input, choose an area of concentration for the duration of the fellowship. This would be an area not already claimed by an exiting reporter’s beat and would not preclude assignment on other topics.
5. Write introductory copy, scripts and billboards in conversational, broadcast style. Translate bureaucratic/technical/political lingo into lay terms with accuracy. Localize material to better serve individual network stations.
6. Keep up on current issues, events and newsmakers in Wisconsin.
7. Operate control board, field equipment for recording, mixing.
8. Effectively engage diverse perspectives and experiences in work product and in organizational interactions, including communication and decision-making
9. Maintain the standards of journalistic ethics and excellence described in WPR/WPT Statement of Ethics: http://www.uwex.edu/bami/ethics.cfm
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Produce stories for WPR newscasts and news programs using WPR equipment and in accordance with WPR policies and standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Previous broadcast news internship or professional experience
- Demonstrated ability to generate news story ideas
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to operate radio production equipment including control board, ISDN telephone system, and Audio Vault (or similar) production system.
- Some experience producing or repurposing news material for the web.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Passion for news and news reporting
- Knowledge and understanding of public broadcasting journalistic ethics
COMPENSATION: Salary for the Lee Ester News Fellow will be $1,300 per month for the 9-month fellowship (75% equivalent of full time annual salary of $20,915). The Lee Ester News Fellow will also receive health and dental benefits during the term of the fellowship.
HOW TO APPLY: For best consideration, submit all application materials online at our applicant portal by April 25 at 5P.
– Before you get started with the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs). Paste the following URL into your browser. External applicants can also view the FAQs after accessing the online system by clicking on the “Help” link in the upper right corner.
– If you are applying as someone who is NOT currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: https://www.careers.wisconsin.edu/psc/careers/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?SiteId=31 Click on Advanced search link. Enter Job opening ID: 9633
– If you are applying as a current employee of the University of Wisconsin System, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser:
https://www.hrs.wisconsin.edu/psc/hrs-fd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_EMP.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_HM_POST&Action=U&HRS_PERSON_ID=100374 Click on Advanced search link. Enter Job opening ID: 9633
A completed application will include:
- A comprehensive résumé
- A detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the qualifications and why this fellowship meets your career development needs
- A sound sample of a news report. You may provide a link (preferred), an mp3 file or submit a CD.
- Two to three (2-3) samples of radio news scripts you have prepared.
- Proof of your educational credentials
- A list of four (4) professional references, including an email contact for each.
DIRECT QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS/INQUIRIES TO: betsy.nelson@wpr.org; 608-262-5221
Successful candidate will be required to provide documentation of credentials. Prior to appointment to this position, a criminal records review will be conducted. UWEX complies with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act with regard to nondiscrimination on the basis of arrest and/or conviction record.
This document can be made available in alternative formats by calling the person listed above.
Under Wisconsin Statutes, if asked, UW-Extension is required to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested, in writing, that their identities remain confidential. The identities of all finalists must be released upon request.
An offer of employment is contingent upon establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements. Persons of color, women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.