DRAFT

Position Description GENERAL MANAGER - KUGS-FM/KVIK-TV

The Dean of Student’s administrative unit is comprised of Student Activities, the Viking Union Facilities, and the Office of Student Life. The unit provides services and support in a diverse range of functions to support individual student development and student organizational leadership opportunities.

The Student Activities department provides management and advisement services for the Associated Students’ governance, programming, personnel and organizational activities; and the administration of policies governing student and campus activities. The Viking Union provides facilities and services for the students, the campus and community, including meeting and event facilities, coordination of retail food services, and a wide variety of programs and services. The two departments coordinate resources and activities to maximize service to the campus community.

The General Manager-KUGS-FM/KVIK-TV provides management, instruction and professional expertise to the student initiated programs of KUGS-FM/KVIK-TV to develop and maintain a comprehensive and diverse schedule of services and programming for the benefit of WWU students and the campus community. The General Manger is responsible for the operation of KUGS-FM/KVIK-TV in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The General Manager provides students with opportunities for leadership development through participation in extracurricular and co-curricular experiences that enhance their college experience. The General Manager initiates internships for students; networks with others in the broadcasting field as a liaison and researches educational opportunities for students and community members in media/broadcasting. The General Manager is the advisor to the Associated Students Election Coordinator in the management of the election process.

Position Purpose: The General Manager Student Media-Broadcasting is responsible for the operational management of KUGS-FM the campus radio station, and KVIK-TV the Associated Students video production program. The General Manager Student Media-Broadcasting develops and maintains policies, procedures, training/educational curriculum and programming that maximizes the benefits the programs provides to students, the University, and the local community.

DESCRIPTION The position operates under minimal supervision in the day to day operations of the station; with general supervision in long range goals, plans, construction upgrades, facilities issues, and items involving the Federal Government. This position has a wide range of responsibilities involving the programming, financial, legal, and technical aspects of the station’s operation. The General Manager is responsible for operating the radio station and television production program in accordance with the mission and objectives established by Western Washington University, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Associated Students Board of Directors.

Essential Functions

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KUGS-FM

Management: The General Manager is the senior authority, at the station level, for operational policies and procedures that result in an efficient operation consistent with the policies and goals of the ASWWU. (10%)

Broadcast Practices/Legal: The General Manager maintains the viability and continuity of the station license by insuring the station is in compliance with the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communication Commission and other appropriate regulatory entities.

The General Manager acts as Chief Operator to ensure that FCC rules are enforced, including those related to transmitter logs, EAS tests, obscenity/indecency, underwriting, operating equipment parameters, and political campaigns. The General Manager prepares and files FCC documents such as employment reports, quarterly public issues lists, license renewals, ownership reports, and maintains the public file at the radio station

The General Manager insures that the station operates in a manner that maximizes the quality of service to the University and local community as an FCC licensed non- commercial radio station and as a student activity for the benefit of the WWU community. The General Manager develops conduct goals for programming to be evaluated in accordance with FCC guidelines. (20%)

Personnel Management/Program Advisement: The position serves as the supervisor for a salaried staff of student paraprofessionals in providing a positive experiential opportunity through an active involvement in their hiring, operational management, and personnel issues. The position establishes priorities and directs the staff in the operation of the station. Through the student staff, the General Manager supervises a staff of 70 to 100 volunteers in the day-to-day operation of the radio station. (15%)

Training: The General Manager develops and implements training activities and specialized support services including training in the legal operation and broadcast practices of a non-commercial radio station for a constantly changing operational and volunteer staff. Conducts testing to insure on-air volunteers are operator proficient. The position develops and maintains the KUGS Training Guide as an educational tool. (5%)

Equipment/Compliance: The General Manager protects the viability and continuity of the station license by serving as the Chief Operator (official FCC designation) insuring the operation is in compliance with FCC Rules and Regulations. The position has specific responsibility for the Emergency Alert System, the Amber Alert System and other specialized public emergency activities. The General Manager hires and supervises licensed engineers as necessary. Conducts on site transmitter tests for equipment to ensure compliance with FCC regulations maintaining a log of test results. Maintains an awareness of broadcast equipment and troubleshoots technical needs. The General Manager coordinates repair and replacement of equipment with other staff.

The General Manager is the local manager of the Satellite Inter-Connect System to insure compliance with the regulations of the Public Radio Satellite System and the Corporation for Public broadcasting to insure continuing access to programming. (8%)

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Program Objectives/Policies/Procedures: The General Manager proposes program objectives and policies to the Associated Students Board of Directors, WWU Administration, and the WWU Board of Trustees on matters of KUGS-FM operation. The position establishes operational policies and procedures at the station level. (3%)

Marketing: The General Manager establishes and supervises campus based and community focused marketing to encourage participation in the station as employees, volunteers, and listeners. (2%)

Programming/Schedule: The General Manager manages a program schedule, in a collaborative manner with the student staff and volunteers that provides a public service to individuals within the transmission range of the KUGS FM station with particular emphasis on the needs and interests of the students at WWU. The General Manager operates the KUGS FM program to maximize the quality and breadth of opportunities for students of WWU, which affords them the benefit of staff and volunteer participation as an activity and educational experience. (2%)

Fiscal Management: The General Manager insures compliance with Associated Students, University, and state fiscal policies and guidelines by interpreting policy to provide for the orderly functioning of the stations. The position is the budget authority for all KUGS budgets funded by the Associated Students and prepares yearly and special budget requests in support of program objections.

The position is the budget authority for KUGS specific accounts at the WWU Foundation responsible for a system of fundraising, including grants, and underwriting that secures the resources necessary for continued operation and improvement of the station while insuring compliance with FCC and WWU Foundation regulations for financial support. (10%)

KVIK-TV

The General Manager insures that the KVIK-TV production program operates in a manner that maximizes the quality of service to the University as a student activity in accordance with the mission and objectives of Western Washington University and the Associated Students.

Management: The General Manager is the senior authority, at the program level, for operational policies and procedures that result in an efficient operation consistent with the policies and goals of the ASWWU. (5%)

Management of Personnel/Program Advisement: The position serves as the supervisor for a salaried staff of a student paraprofessional(s) in providing a positive experiential opportunity through an active involvement in their hiring, operational management, and personnel issues. The position establishes priorities and directs the staff in the operation of the program. Through the student staff, the General Manager supports volunteers in the day-to-day operation of the program. (5%)

Policies/Procedures/Program Goals: The General Manager proposes program objectives and policies to the Associated Students Board of Directors, WWU

3 Administration, and the WWU Board of Trustees on matters of KVIK-TV operation. The position establishes operational policies and procedures at the program level. (4%)

Equipment/Compliance: The General Manager determines appropriate equipment necessary to support the program goals. The position maintains an awareness of broadcast equipment and troubleshoots technical needs. The position determines the process of repair and/or replacement of equipment. (2%)

Programming/Schedule: The General Manager directs student staff to develop a KVIK-TV program schedule for the campus community. The General Manager establishes and implements program standards. The General Manager manages the KVIK-TV program schedule in a collaborative manner with the student staff and volunteers in a way that maximizes the opportunity for input. The General Manager operates the KVIK-TV program to maximize the quality and breadth of opportunities for students of WWU, which affords them the benefit of staff and volunteer participation as an activity and educational experience. (1%)

Training: The General Manager coordinates the presentation of specialized training activities for the staff and student volunteers at KVIK-TV. (2%)

Marketing: The General Manager coordinates student staff and volunteers in campus marketing for the program schedule and events. (1%)

Fiscal Management: Administers the KVIK-TV television production program operation, including budget management, to support the goals of the program. (1%)

TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS: The General Manager may be assigned temporary responsibilities in support of departmental objectives.

AS Election

Advisement: The General Manager is assigned as administrative support to the Associated Students election office. Responsibilities include advising the AS Elections Coordinator on operational policies, procedures, and guidelines for AS elections. The General Manager participates in the review and development of the AS Election Policy, coordinates with university offices, and assists in all aspects of the election process. (4%)

GENERAL

The General Manager conducts all aspects of the position in accordance with the following principles of the Dean of Students unit.

Leadership Development/Training: The General Manager is responsible for the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of student learning initiatives for current and emerging student leaders in areas of media training, programming, management, and leadership development. The General Manager assists students in the development of academic internships and serves as internship supervisor. The General Manager assists in developing and maintaining leadership and organization development resources for students throughout the Associated Students organization.

4 Assessment/Evaluation: The General Manager contributes to the development of learning outcomes for areas of responsibility and conducts an active program of assessment of program objectives and learning objectives for current programs and activities to insure quality. The position assesses future organization needs and makes recommendations to improve program quality and meet organizational objectives. The General Manager maintains an awareness of current issues, trends and other information that impacts. The General Manager conducts evaluation of student staff consistent with the AS Employment Policy.

Risk Management: The General Manager assures a safe experience for employees, volunteers, and program participants through an active program of risk analysis and management. The position limits the liability of the university through proactive efforts to identify risks and coordinate coverage. The General Manager collaborates with the Risk Management Officer regarding volunteers, media liability, and other facets of operation.

Diversity: Provides leadership to students in striving to provide programming which addresses the diverse needs and interests of Western Washington University students.

Student Activities: Actively participate to short and long-term assignments in support of the departmental objectives. Performs other duties as assigned.

Marginal Functions

University Committees Serves on WWU, Student Affairs and Viking Union committees as required

Historical Records: Maintains and updates historical records and files related to supervisory and advisement areas.

Non commercial Technical Producer: Interfaces with the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, National Public Radio, and Minnesota Public Radio to serve as technical producers for radio program interviews. As a non commercial radio station, KUGS FM is asked to assist with interviews and with interviewees who reside in the Whatcom County area.

General Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree Broadcasting/Communications, Student Personnel Administration, Student Affairs or related fields

Masters Degree in Broadcasting/Communications, Student Personnel Administration, Student Affairs or related field. (Preferred)

2 to 5 years experience/education in Broadcasting, Student Personnel, Student Affairs Administration or related fields; experience and commitment to goals of student operated radio; ability to work effectively with diverse individuals; familiarity with higher education and the ability to teach Broadcast/Journalism courses at the college level desirable.

Radio Station Management/University Setting: Experience in managing a radio station affiliated with a university preferred.

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Radio Broadcasting Equipment/Operation: Up to date knowledge of broadcasting equipment and software at a level to serve s an FCC Chief Operator and address changing technologies.

FCC Rules: Significant knowledge of Federal Communications Rules that impact non- commercial licenses to a level that allows for interpretation/application of the rules to protect the status of the current license, prevent fines for violations, and anticipate changes that will improve service.

On-Air: Radio and TV on-air and production knowledge at a level to provide training and operational direction to students involved in the programs.

Student Development/Leadership: Understanding of student development theories as applied within Student Activities department to both student staff and volunteers involvement in programs. Understanding of assessment practices for both program and learning outcomes within areas of responsibility.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, including written, interpersonal, and public speaking skills. Ability to interact effectively with a diverse population in a positive and empowering manner. Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, and faculty.

Management: The ability to successfully manage a significant sub-function within the Student Activities Department through; allocation of resources, management of personnel, assessment of program quality, and planning for current and future needs.

Organizational Skills: Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with an ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic work environment.

Diversity: Demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse groups of students, staff, and community members and possess a strong commitment to advocating for diversity and the values of diversity.

Hours: Willingness to work irregular and flexible hours.

Terms of Employment:

Reports to: Director of Student Activities

Professional Administrative Exempt, 12 months, full-time

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