WCMU Public Media is the PBS and NPR member station for central and northern Michigan, serving 48 counties from our home on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. We produce and broadcast television and radio programming that connects communities across a wide stretch of the state — and the people who do that work matter.

Working at WCMU means being part of a small, mission-driven team where your contributions are visible. Whether you're telling stories from across our state, building sponsorship relationships with local businesses, keeping our broadcast infrastructure running, or welcoming visitors at the front desk, you're supporting public media that people in this region rely on. Many of our staff have long careers here. Many of our student employees go on to careers in broadcasting, communications, and media production.

WCMU is a CMU department, so staff positions come with the benefits of university employment. Student positions offer hands-on experience in a working broadcast environment — something a classroom alone can't replicate.

APPLY FOR BUSINESS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Position Summary

The business and community development specialist builds partnerships to secure new and steward existing sponsorships, underwriting agreements, and other revenue from businesses and organizations in support of WCMU Public Media.

This position contributes to the success of the Development team within Public Broadcasting, providing vital revenue to support WCMU Public Media programs and outreach efforts within the context and culture of philanthropy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education & experience that equates to four years.
• Demonstrated experience with philanthropy, sponsorship, or sales.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to form positive relationships with individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter with a committed work ethic and the ability to project a positive image.
• Ability to work effectively in teams as well as independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience with philanthropy, sponsorship, or media sales.
• Prior experience in public media.
• Appreciation for and understanding of public media, especially WCMU programming and its mission.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops relationships with community leaders, businesses, and organizations to enhance WCMU’s reputation and recognition as a valuable institution.
• Secures underwriting, sponsorship, trade and other revenue from businesses and organizations in support of WCMU Public Media.
• Secures funding for special events, programming, local content, and fundraisers, as required.
• Assists with special events and other development efforts, including on-air pledge drives.
• Analyzes and interprets audience and market research, utilizing knowledge and metrics to generate and cultivate new and prospective clients.
• Achieves goals for underwriting, sponsorship, and other revenue generating initiatives as agreed upon with the Director of Development for WCMU Public Media.
• Participates in professional development opportunities as budget and time permits.

Pay Range

$36,069 per year, plus commission

Position Type / Work Location / Weekly Schedule

Position Type: 12 month
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI
Weekly Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm; weekend and evenings as needed

APPLY FOR BUSINESS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

APPLY FOR RADIO REPORTER/PRODUCER I/II

Position Summary

WCMU’s radio reporter/producer plays a key role in producing daily content for WCMU’s radio and digital platforms. WCMU covers 46 of Michigan’s 83 counties, reporting on a wide range of issues, including local and state government, education, climate and the environment, the economy, and more.

This position serves as WCMU’s Great Lakes Bay Region reporter, with the primary responsibility of covering Midland, Bay, and Saginaw counties. Primary functions of this position include news reporting. Additional functions may include on-air hosting, editing and story assignment responsibilities in the absence of the News Director.

Required Qualifications

Radio Reporter/Producer I (BH-1)

• Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting, Journalism, Multimedia, Humanities or a related field, or a combination of education and work experience that equates to four years.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting situations, including impromptu interview questioning and scripted situations.
• Demonstrated experience in field news gathering or remote recording situations.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and to project a positive image.
• General knowledge of digital editing and studio situations.
• Must possess basic announcing skills.
• Ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships with faculty, students, visitors, and fellow work associates.
• Ability to complete tasks independently.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Radio Reporter/Producer II (BS-2)

• All qualifications listed for a Radio Reporter/Producer I (BH-1), plus:
• Two additional years of increasingly responsible experience with key elements of the job, including reporting situations, field newsgathering, digital editing, hosting and announcing.

Preferred Qualifications

Radio Reporter/Producer I (BH-1)

• Two years of experience in on-air situations and with field recording/news gathering.
• Knowledge of issues, communities, and stakeholders within Midland, Bay, and Saginaw counties.
• Demonstrated experience with community engagement, public listening sessions, or audience-centered journalism.
• Demonstrated experience hosting live radio.
• Demonstrated experience as talent for fundraisers, interviews, and programs.
• Demonstrated experience as a local host of NPR news magazines.
• Demonstrated experience filing stories with NPR.
• Demonstrated experience producing multimedia content for radio, web, and social media platforms.
• Proficient capabilities in basic digital editing and multitrack editing.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate interview segments and questions.

Duties & Responsibilities

Radio Reporter/Producer I (BH-1)

• Performs the following tasks under direct supervision:
• Serves as WCMU’s primary reporter covering the Great Lakes Bay Region, which includes Midland, Bay, and Saginaw counties.
• Schedules, records, and edits interviews for radio station use.
• Researches story topics and/or guests for possible programs or segments.
• Acts as talent for fundraisers, interviews, and programs.
• Operates radio remote and radio studio equipment as required.
• Assists in the development of radio programs and materials and contributes to ongoing projects as needed.
• Assists with the logistics of interviews or guest appearances.
• Develops buildouts of radio news stories for WCMU’s digital platforms.
• Occasionally serves as a back-up host for Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and other news programs.
• Develops contacts with Central Michigan University departments, local and state government officials, and various constituents.
• Develops and maintains relationships with community leaders, local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, businesses, advocacy groups, and residents throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.
• Represents WCMU at various station events as requested.
• Pitches stories to NPR, Harvest Public Media, and other organizations for national distribution.
• Participates in professional development opportunities.
• Assigns and edits stories for student news reporters and fellow staff members as directed by the News Director.
• Edits reports submitted by freelance reporters as directed by the News Director.
• Participates in recruiting, interviewing, and training student news reporters and freelance news reporters.
• Contributes occasionally to WCMU’s video productions.
• Travels for reporting trips and station events as required, including occasional overnight trips.
• Assists with documenting reporting outcomes, community engagement efforts, and audience impact metrics related to Great Lakes Bay Region coverage.

Radio Reporter/Producer II (BS-2)

• Performs all duties and responsibilities of the Radio Reporter/Producer I under limited supervision and with increased confidence and responsibility, plus:
• Assists in filing stories with NPR, Harvest Public Media, and other organizations for national distribution.
• Performs confidently with live, on the scene, and breaking news coverage.

Pay Range

BH-1 = $17.10 - $22.00 per hour / BS-2 = $39,520 - $48,880 per year

Position Type / Work Location / Weekly Schedule

Position Type: 12 month
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI
Weekly Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm; weekend and evenings as needed

APPLY FOR RADIO REPORTER/PRODUCER I/II

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