News Anchor/Host (14512)

Summary/Objective

Under the supervision of the Program Director, the News Anchor/Host serves as the voice of local and regional news, ensuring that WAMU’s distinctive stationality comes through and is consistent in every break. S/he weaves together live continuity inside local breaks including weather reports, major Metro or traffic delays, underwriting announcements, promos and other local information as required during the hours s/he is on the air. Other duties include live reporting, writing and broadcasting local newscasts and headlines and anchoring breaking news events. The News Anchor/Host runs her/his own board unless assigned a board operator.

Essential Functions

1. News Anchoring and Hosting during assigned shift. Host adheres to the WAMU Stationality guidelines and best practices for on-air hosting and uses the program log as a guide to assemble and deliver pertinent information to the listener including promotion of content and/or live events, weather forecasts, and other sense of place information. Regularly undergoes aircheck sessions to ensure optimum on-air presence. Responsible for all technical operations during shift unless a board operator is assigned..

2. Delivers regional newscasts in alignment with the editorial needs and formatics of the broadcast log. As needed, conducts live (or pre-recorded) interviews with news experts on issues relevant to the Washington, DC Metro. Host national or regional breaking news coverage as warranted.

3. Records and/or writes forward-promotions, station identifiers, and other on air messages as instructed. Keeps informed about international, national and regional news. Reviews newspapers, online news sites, AP wire stories and internally produced news stories for use in the hourly newscasts. Frequently consults and accepts feedback from the Program Director, Editorial Director and Senior Director of Content and News about content and delivery.

4. Represents WAMU at donor and community outreach events. Participates in WAMU’s on-air membership campaigns. Contributes to conversations about national and local clock formatics and their impact on delivering content in their assigned air shifts. Build audience connections using social media. Performs any related duties as assigned by the Program Director, Editorial Director and Senior Director of Content and News.

5. Coaches, encourages, and provides guidance to junior staff to improve their professional skills. Knows and understands WAMU’s editorial policy and guidelines and is familiar with American University’s policies and procedures.

Work Environment

• This position reports directly to the Program Director with daily interactions with the WAMU regional news team.
• This position has no supervisory responsibilities as a rule; however, from time to time this position may supervise a part-time or intern/student worker or trainee.
• This position has a high impact on the overall performance of WAMU since the News Anchor/Host is the conduit through which listeners experience WAMU, during peak listening hours. Audience engagement and station revenue depend to a significant extent on the News Anchor/Host’s professional execution of the on-air product.
• The News Anchor/Host, must make numerous independent decisions involving critical news judgments every hour.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full time
• Exempt
• Project Leader/Advisor B

Position’s Required Presence (subject to change due to the University’s operating status)

• Allow for full telework

Required Education and Experience

• 4+ years’ experience live hosting in radio broadcast environment with demonstrated ability to handle live format for highly competitive major market drive time programs
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated ability to work "combo": operating broadcast equipment while carrying out announcing duties and hitting all network time posts
• Must have experience working under extreme time pressure every hour
• Excellent on-air communicator with a conversational, warm and inviting presentation and top-notch pronunciation and enunciation
• Authentic, empathetic and curious with the ability to make emotional connections with the audience. Must move nimbly between difficult and upbeat stories with the appropriate tone and understand the value of pacing in a local break
• High level of proficiency in operation of a digital broadcast board
• Experience representing an organization at live events and speaking engagements
• Excellent writing, researching and reporting skills
• Hands-on audio editing and multimedia production capabilities
• Experience building audience connections using social media

Preferred Education and Experience

• Deep knowledge of the Washington metro region.
• Master’s degree in journalism or related field.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• While incumbent will be assigned to a specific shift, occasional work outside that shift, to include early morning, midday or late evening hours and weekends may be required.
• News Anchor/Host is required to be on the job regardless of weather conditions. Often must travel through snow and ice to be on the air to provide listeners with information regarding road conditions, school closings and other weather related information.
• Must edit to exacting time demands of both national network programs and local programs
• Must be able to identify problems with edited scripts and other on-air elements and alert the appropriate supervising staff.

Benefits

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Contact Us:

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American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC