Multimedia Journalist

The Multimedia Journalist independently shoots, writes and edits news content for WGCU broadcast programming. This role researches and generates compelling news stories for multiple platforms: TV and radio broadcasts, digital distribution, and social media.

WGCU is Southwest Florida’s source for PBS and NPR. A member-supported service of Florida Gulf Coast University, WGCU provides educational programming that inspires, informs and engages our community. Serving all or part of 12 counties in south and Southwest Florida, with five distinct digital TV channels, two FM radio channels, two HD radio channels, and multiple websites, WGCU delivers national and international programming, and develops, produces and delivers relevant, informative and educational local programs to the region.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Researches and develops news stories through ongoing inquiries with newsmakers and community figures on a local, state, national and international level.
• Conducts interviews, records audio, reports and edits news stories in accordance with journalistic standards and ethics as defines by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio-Television News Directors Association.
• Cultivates and maintains news sources.
• Creates multi-platform treatments from stories whenever appropriate.
• Captures and edits videos and audio for a variety of broadcast and digital platforms.
• Updates web postings of WGCU News scripts, audio and photographs.
• Studies background information in order to prepare for programs or interviews.
• Collaborates and contributes to story concepts, research, background materials and shares newsmaker contacts with colleagues.
• Interviews subjects about their lives, their work, or topics of current interest.
• Maintains data and collects information by updating contact lists, electronic and hard-copy archived files, and directories of external materials in accordance with Florida’s public records laws and the federal Freedom of Information Act.
• Corresponds with public inquiries regarding news stories that have been reported on WGCU, PBS, and National Public Radio.
• Makes public appearances on behalf of WGCU Public Broadcasting at various events in the community.

Other Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either eight years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Professional, full time experience in broadcast news, public radio field reporting and interviewing.
• Experience with public broadcasting, audio digital editing, FTP for audio production purposes, and field recording.
• Superior on-air voice quality and network quality hosting.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Experience participating in on-air membership campaigns.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of journalism ethics, practices and standards, particularly those of PBS and NPR.
• Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods, including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Skilled in the use of journalism principles and techniques.
• Network quality news writing, reporting, digital recording, and production skills.
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects within deadlines.
• Skill in current digital audio editing, video desktop editing, and general desktop software applications including those that create original data journalism stories.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relations with colleagues, coworkers, constituents, and the general public.
• Ability to collect, analyze, organize and present information in a meaningful manner.
• Ability to be comfortable using microphones, portable recording devices for audio, video, and radio studio production equipment.
• Ability to source stories and craft attention-getting, in-depth, vibrant, and well-organized narratives.

Pay Grade 16