WBAI-N.Y. 99.5 FM PROGRAM DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

STATUS: Full time, Exempt, Non-Union. SALARY: $57,500.00 - $65,000.00 annually - commensurate with experience. BENEFITS: Comprehensive Benefits Package.

BACKGROUND: The Pacifica Foundation is a mission-driven, non-profit, member- supported organization that operates exclusively for educational purposes (arts, culture, music, news and public affairs), with none of the net earnings benefiting any member of the Foundation. Providing free speech, peace and social justice radio that serves as an alternative to corporate broadcasting and conventional public radio, WBAI Radio, which was established in 1959, is one of the five stations in the Pacifica Network. WBAI serves the greater metropolitan New York City region and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. The other four Pacifica stations broadcast in Washington D.C. (WPFW); Houston, TX. (KPFT ); Berkeley, CA. (KPFA); and Los Angeles, CA. (KPFK). In addition, redistributed Pacifica Network programs are broadcast from approximately 200 affiliate stations located in colleges and communities throughout the United States. The Pacifica Radio Archives, recognized as the oldest public radio archive in the United States, is an unduplicated resource that has documented more than five decades of grassroots political, cultural, and performing arts history.

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the General Manager, the Program Director is a member of the Station's management team and is expected to ensure excellent programming that generates listener support, meets community needs, and fulfills the mission of WBAI and the Pacifica Foundation, as well as complies with all relevant foundation policies, requirements, and state and federal laws.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

A. Supervise all programming for the station;

B. In consultation with the General Manager and the Local Station Board, develop programming philosophy and policies;

C. In consultation with the General Manager and the Programmers/Producers, coordinate on-air fundraising that includes designing the program format, and selecting and acquiring premiums for on-air fundraising "Marathon" programs;

D. Coordinate programming needs with the Operations Staff;

E. In consultation with the General Manager, prepare and design the program grid and maintain its publication on WBAI websites as well as other appropriate media, venues and online sources;

F. Communicate with the Programming Staff, and schedule - at a minimum - monthly meetings to discuss station projects and activities, planned and underway, as well as other issues that are pertinent to the operation of the station;

G. Develop and institute a program evaluation system in which clearly defined performance measurements and standards would be applied to the Programmer's/Producer's performance and show;

H. Coordinate with the GM, the Development Director, the Programmers/Producers, and others such as Social Media Staff, to promote WBAI's programming, vision and brand and ensure outreach to a wide audience, and to grow that audience;

I. Coordinate programming with the National Programming Director and other Pacifica stations and participate in development of national programming;

J. Supervise the Programming Staff in accordance with individual and union contracts placing emphasis on the development of collaborative working relationships;

K. Develop Audience Research applicable to a non-commercial, community-supported radio station and prepare data from Nielsen;

L. Participate in development of budget and ensure Programming Department operates within budget;

M. Participate as a member of the WBAI management team; and

N. Other job duties as may be assigned by the General Manager.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Programming format

1. Improve air sound;

2. Solicit and evaluate program proposals recognizing the importance of including programs that address groups inadequately represented in the media;

3. Ensure compliance with FCC and Pacifica rules and regulations; and

4. Coordinate the development of "Marathon" and special programs.

B. Staff Development and Supervision

1. Upgrade staff skills and develop media training;

2. Oversee the production and broadcast of in-house program announcements and pubic service announcements that air between shows throughout the broadcast day;

3. Attend and/or lead staff meetings as necessary; and

4. Facilitate entry of graduate apprentices and other volunteers into programming and other departments.

C. Community Relations

1. Participate in off-air fundraising and community events representing the station and Pacifica at various public forums and with donors, as needed; and

2. Espouse the rights and promote the interests of groups inadequately represented in the media.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

* Knowledge of broadcast and content production industry.

* Excellent oral and written skills.

* Attention to detail is a major asset.

* Highly motivated with proven leadership capabilities.

* Ability to work harmoniously with, and manage, a large diverse workforce consisting primarily of volunteer programmers.

* Ability to work with distinctive community based organizations as well as with the WBAI Local Station Board and the Pacifica National Board.

* Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

* Committed to working to ensure that the WBAI working environment is safe and free of racist, sexual and gender bias/harassment.

* Optimally, has managed a radio station under difficult circumstances.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

* Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting or related field, or equivalent experience.

* Experienced and knowledgeable about social media, podcasting platforms and second digital streaming.

* Computer literacy: experience in Project Management, and Data Analysis preferred.

* Minimum 3 years experience as a program producer, program manager or in a comparable position in a related field, preferably in a non-corporate media setting.

EEO STATEMENT: The Pacifica Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, marital status, disability, medical condition or sexual orientation.

DEADLINE:

Please submit a detailed letter of interest and a resume to [email protected] by April 16, 2021.