Public Communication Specialist

Position Overview Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight! Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as “The City of Medicine,” NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress. Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work‑life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement. An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight. Visit NCCU.edu. Employee Benefits Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave Community Service Leave NC State - Health Benefits NCFlex - Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more 11‑12 Paid Holidays Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS) Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Campus Recreation Center Discount University Bookstore Discount and more Primary Function of Organizational Unit The primary purpose of this organizational unit is to operate a 50,000‑watt FM radio station that will provide education and training services to students and provide information and entertainment services to the community at large. The station will serve our local community within a 100‑mile radius. The broadcast facility will provide public radio services to the general public and support media‑related academic programs at the university. Primary Purpose of Position The primary function of the position is to develop and coordinate all news, informational and educational programs and ensure quality news broadcasts on a daily basis. The employee may also serve as an on‑air announcer as scheduled and as needed, coordinate all public affairs and news programs with the General Manager and/or Program Director, supervise all news/public affairs staff members and schedule all programs on a daily program log with the Operations Manager and Traffic Coordinator. This employee is responsible for the production of all local, in‑house public affairs programs and the acquisition of syndicated public affairs/news programs. In all functions of the role, this position shall ensure compliance with FCC rules and regulations and maintain a high standard of journalistic values, integrity and accountability. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience); Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of five (5) years of professional journalism experience, including at least two (2) years in a leadership, editorial, or supervisory role. Minimum Education/Experience Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation Strong editorial judgment with a deep understanding of public media’s mission, audience, and ethical standards. Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage staff, students, and newsroom operations effectively. Proficiency in digital journalism tools, broadcast production workflows, and newsroom systems comparable to public media organizations such as NPR. Experience mentoring, supervising, and developing students, interns, or early‑career journalists in a newsroom or academic setting. Advanced knowledge of audio production, digital publishing, and multimedia storytelling across multiple platforms. Strong commitment to serving diverse audiences at the local, regional, and national levels through inclusive and community‑focused content. Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing across varied audiences and platforms. High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and other newsroom‑related software to support content production and operational efficiency. Equal Opportunity Employer North Carolina Central University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. Work Hours Standard working hours are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM; however, additional evening and weekend hours may be required based on operational needs. Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies Competency: Knowledge – Technical Conduct remote broadcasts for community events, including equipment setup, interview coordination, content preparation, and on‑air delivery, while promoting events before and after broadcast. Support and participate in community engagement initiatives such as forums, panels, and public discussions; coordinate virtual platforms to ensure accessibility and participation. Produce and manage podcasts and audio content, including editing, formatting, and distribution across digital platforms and on‑air channels (HD1, HD2, HD3). Utilize broadcast technologies and software (e.g., Adobe Audition, WideOrbit, Canva) to create and deliver high‑quality multimedia content aligned with public media standards. Manage and distribute content across multiple digital platforms, including streaming services, station websites, and other media outlets, ensuring consistency and accessibility. Research and implement emerging technologies to enhance production quality, workflow efficiency, and content distribution capabilities; train staff on new tools and techniques. Apply strong communication, design, and organizational principles to promote programming and expand audience reach across various media channels. Competency: Program Knowledge Develop and implement a comprehensive newsroom editorial strategy aligned with public media principles, leading daily editorial meetings, long‑term planning, and story development to ensure timely and impactful coverage. Oversee all aspects of news production across radio, digital, and social platforms, ensuring content is accurate, ethical, and consistent with journalistic and public media standards. Manage editorial operations, including assigning stories, editing scripts, and guiding content development to maintain high‑quality production and efficient workflows. Supervise, coach, and evaluate staff, students, interns, and volunteers, providing mentorship, training, and performance feedback to support professional growth and development. Collaborate with university faculty and external media partners (e.g., NPR) to integrate academic initiatives, expand content reach, and enhance newsroom visibility and engagement. Ensure compliance with FCC regulations and ethical journalism practices while promoting inclusive storytelling that reflects diverse communities. Manage newsroom resources, including budget and technology, while leveraging digital platforms and industry trends to improve content delivery, audience engagement, and operational effectiveness. Competency: Communication Produce daily live newscasts (minimum four per day, Monday‑Friday), including researching, writing, and preparing accurate, timely news content in accordance with public media standards. Supervise and coordinate newsroom staffing, including scheduling students, interns, and volunteers, while ensuring effective support for daily operations and special coverage. Lead coverage of key events, including Board of Trustees meetings and political/election reporting, producing same‑day content, conducting interviews, and delivering live updates. Ensure compliance with FCC requirements, including maintaining political files and contributing to public affairs programming and monthly thematic content development. Oversee content creation across radio, digital, and social platforms, approving scripts and multimedia elements while managing real‑time newsroom response to breaking news. Build partnerships with university departments, media outlets, and community organizations; contribute original stories to external partners and represent the station in public and professional settings. Develop, write, edit, and evaluate content across platforms, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to public radio standards while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships and editorial quality. Competency: Consulting/Advising Serve as the primary liaison between the newsroom and stakeholders, including listeners, community partners, media affiliates, university departments, faculty, staff, and students, fostering collaboration and community‑centered storytelling. Lead the newsroom’s editorial vision and strategic direction, ensuring all content reflects public media values, journalistic integrity, and compliance with FCC and ethical standards. Oversee daily newsroom operations, including editorial meetings, story assignments, content development, and news calendar management across radio, digital, and social platforms. Supervise, mentor, and support staff, students, interns, and community contributors by providing coaching, feedback, and professional development to strengthen newsroom performance. Collaborate with university partners and media organizations (e.g., NPR, PBS) to expand content, integrate academic initiatives, and enhance visibility and impact. Manage newsroom resources, including budget, staffing, and operations, while developing strategies to grow audience engagement and strengthen community connections. Lead newsroom response to breaking news and major events, while assessing communication needs and developing clear, effective, and strategic content across multiple platforms. Competency: Project Management Lead WNCU’s community‑ and student‑centered newsroom, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, mission‑driven content across on‑air and digital platforms while fostering a culture of mentorship, training, and professional development. Oversee the development and production of daily newscasts, feature stories, public affairs programming, podcasts, and digital content in alignment with public media standards and journalistic ethics. Educate, train, and supervise students in broadcast journalism and audio production, providing hands‑on instruction in writing, editing, on‑air delivery, and multimedia storytelling. Supervise and manage editorial staff, students, interns, and volunteers by providing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities within an inclusive and collaborative newsroom environment. Collaborate with Mass Communication faculty and university partners to support experiential learning, workshops, and academic integration with newsroom operations. Build and maintain relationships with students, faculty, staff, community partners, and industry professionals; represent the department at university and community events to strengthen engagement and outreach. Plan and manage complex newsroom operations and multimedia projects, assess stakeholder needs, and develop strategic communications and content that meet organizational goals while ensuring compliance with FCC regulations and public media standards. Competency: Organizational Sensitivity Apply experience in educational, nonprofit, or public media settings to support the development and delivery of news and public affairs content that serves diverse communities, utilizing NPR‑style standards and digital workflows. Demonstrate strong awareness of the mission, governance, and public accountability of a university‑licensed public radio station; exercise sound editorial judgment to ensure alignment with station standards, university policies, and community expectations. Navigate and maintain effective relationships with station leadership, university administration, faculty, students, community partners, and external funders while upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Support the educational mission of the university and the public service mission of the station by integrating newsroom activities with student learning, community engagement, and public media values. Balance editorial independence with institutional responsibilities and regulatory requirements, while identifying and addressing sensitive or complex issues with professionalism, transparency, and respect for diverse perspectives. Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling internal matters and editorial planning; ensure responsible programming that builds trust and upholds institutional credibility. Understand departmental goals and operations, assess the impact of internal and external communications, and adjust strategies to effectively meet stakeholder needs and organizational objectives. Competency: Coordination – Operations Ensure newsroom and public affairs compliance with all FCC, CPB, and university regulations, including oversight of the Online Public Inspection File and timely preparation of the quarterly Issues/Programs List. Manage newsroom operations, including budget, equipment, and resource allocation, ensuring efficient and effective use of station assets. Produce and oversee weekly public affairs and talk programming featuring informational, educational, and community‑focused content aligned with station goals. Supervise and support producers and hosts by providing clear editorial direction, performance feedback, and ongoing communication regarding show topics, guest selection, interview content, and program objectives. Lead regular production meetings and monitor programming to ensure broadcast quality, timeliness, and compliance; coordinate with the Operations Manager, Chief Engineer, and Program Director to address technical or content issues. Identify, develop, acquire, schedule, and manage both in‑house and syndicated programming, ensuring accurate broadcast logs and consistent on‑air delivery. Assess audience needs and community interests through surveys, ratings, and stakeholder feedback to inform programming decisions; support station advancement through contributions to grant proposals, reporting, and strategic planning initiatives. Competency: Other Duties as Assigned Other duties as assigned. Posting Detail Information Posting Number: SPA01459P Open Date: 04/02/2026 Close Date: 04/16/2026 #J-18808-Ljbffr NC Central University