Media Writer/Producer/Announcer II (Local Editor/Co-Host)

Media Writer/Producer/Announcer II (Local Editor/Co-Host)

Posting Category:

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu.

Application deadline: 4/20/2026

Minimum Starting Salary: $25.64 per hour/7.5 hour day

Summary:
The Local Editor/Co-Host produces the 1-hour, daily local/regional news interview program by developing a plan (short-term and long-range) and scheduling live interviews with newsmakers, de-briefs with reporters, and through developing Journalism Corps volunteers/students/freelancers. They will co-host the program and anchor either morning or afternoon drive as needed. They will amplify the local news program digitally through a daily email newsletter, web posts, and social sharing of all stories. Additionally, they will take top news from the daily program and edit it into spot reports for newscasts for the next news cycle.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinate local news coverage under the supervision of the Managing Editor, incorporating both long‑term editorial planning and short‑term daily decision‑making. Plan, schedule, research, produce and engineer a Monday-Friday news talk show. Maintain NPR Illinois’ editorial integrity while adhering to FCC rules.

• Produce newscast spots from show content for use in other dayparts. Also, write up web content from interviews to help populate the station’s web site and social media posts. Assure stories are relevant, evidence-based, and understandable to the community.

• Supervise J-Corps personnel and student staff assigned to the news department. Provide editing and mentoring to those collaborating with the station. Manage the external project(s) and budget(s) for the programming.

• In charge of daily station email newsletters that are sent out to subscribers.

• Manage multiple duties and assignments while meeting deadlines. Attend department and unit meetings as scheduled.

• Assist as on-air anchor and host as needed. Serve as a host of podcasts when necessary.

• Respond to breaking news, providing coverage on-air and online. This may require working unusual hours.

• Perform other related duties, including fundraising and required paperwork, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
1. Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) of the following types of preparation: A. progressively more responsible work experience in the production and presentation of radio or television programs, social media, and/or print or online journalism B. vocational training in radio and/or television production, journalism, social media, news or feature writing and/or announcing or closely related fields C. college course work in radio/television, journalism, social media, news or feature writing or closely related fields - 60 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months) - 75 semester hours equals one (1) year and six (6) months (18 months) - 90-semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months) - 120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s degree equals three (3) years (36 months)
2. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience in the production and presentation of radio or television programs, social media, and/or print or online journalism in addition to the preparation required in #1 above.
3. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience comparable to that performed at the Media Writer/Producer/Announcer I level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of standard newsroom practices, sentence structure and grammar.
Must have strong news judgment and ability to work independently.
Ability to communicate, both written and orally, for a broadcast and online audience.
Knowledge of social media.
Must have a conversational on-air delivery.
Ability to meet multiple deadlines daily.
Knowledge of public affairs and issues of importance to the community.
Knowledge of various software programs, such as digital editing.
Ability to operate broadcast equipment.
Ability to work well with people, including students.
Ability to work odd hours.
Familiarity with public media preferred.
Regional travel may be necessary.

Travel Requirements:
0%

Employment Policies and other information:

Failure to accurately describe work experience, or failure to submit college transcripts may result in an applicant not being admitted to the exam.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at hremployment@uis.edu or call 217-206-6652.

***Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***