Director of Public Affairs Programming Job Listing at Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA (Job ID 15078)

Description

Position Summary  

The KBCS Public Affairs Programming Director is responsible for overseeing independent reporting and producing original local and regional news and public affairs programming on KBCS. The KBCS Public Affairs Programming Director instructs and supervises student interns and other student and community volunteers seeking opportunities to work as broadcast journalists, news producers, and audio engineers. The KBCS Public Affairs Programming Director models and practices the highest legal and ethical standards in both broadcast and print journalism and works with KBCS station management to identify opportunities for social justice advocacy and community engagement.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule  

Position Salary Range: $84,595/year - $122,663/year

The salary information shown above is a general guideline only. The salary will be determined based on candidate's qualifications and related experience, as well as market and business considerations. Typically, new hire starts no higher than $94,112/year based on Bellevue College Exempt salary schedule.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Generous benefits package is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

The employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per workweek. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means that you are not eligible for overtime pay.

About The College  

Bellevue College is a diverse student-centered, comprehensive and innovative college, committed to teaching excellence that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of its diverse community. Bellevue College is located just 10 miles east of Seattle where we serve a student population of over 54% students of color and over 1,300 international students. The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion and global awareness; and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive campus community that supports a diverse student body, faculty and staff. As an essential part of our mission and goals, diversity, equity and pluralism are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life. By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success.

For more information, visit BC Facts at a Glance @ Bellevue College.

About the Department  

Institutional Advancement (IA) is the external facing division of Bellevue College which includes marketing, web editing, KBCS radio station, public relations, creative services and the Bellevue College Foundation. The Institutional Advancement (IA) Division of Bellevue College works across the full academic enterprise to solidify a multi-faceted culture of brand awareness, philanthropy, and internal and external engagement. IA supports the College's mission by increasing awareness of, advocacy for, engagement in, and giving to Bellevue College.

Essential Functions  

Supervision, Training and Development

• Recruits, directs, instructs, and ensures the quality of public affairs programming produced by student producers, contract producers, and volunteer producers.
• Supervises and trains college and high school student interns, student volunteers and qualified community volunteers in the research, production, editing, and writing of original public affairs programming.
• Establishes relationships with partners at Bellevue College and in the greater community that enhance the station¿s ability to produce high-quality social justice focused public affairs programming. Including, but not limited to, BC Faculty and Staff, non-profit leaders, community organizers, and other media outlets that align with the KBCS mission.
• Assigns and approves public affairs stories for KBCS producers to research and develop and ensures the integrity of the information and sources included in those stories.
• Compiles, Updates, and maintains quarterly Issues/Programs Reports, documenting the station¿s most significant programming addressing community needs and concerns.

Public Affairs Programming and Content

• Serves as board operator and host or provides oversight for live hosted public affairs programming.
• Develops and directs the overall strategy and schedule of public affairs programming.
• Ensures continuity of public affairs programming delivery through multiple platforms such as radio broadcast, KBCS website, and KBCS mobile app.
• Creates, edits, and produces original local and regional news content for broadcast on KBCS.
• Conducts research and reports on issues that have a political, social or economic impact on our local community and our region.
• Conducts interviews with community members and organizations.
• Collaborates with station management on acquisition and implementation of syndicated programming.
• Collaborates with Operations Manager and Music Director to ensure transitions between public affairs programming and music programming are seamless and leads staff messaging around public affairs programming.  

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications  

• A bachelor's degree in journalism, the arts and humanities, or a related field and at least two years¿ experience working full-time in radio or television broadcast journalism. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement for a year-for-year basis.
• Minimum two years¿ experience managing paid or volunteer journalists.
• Minimum two years¿ experience with audio production.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in broadcast journalism, journalistic ethics and communications law.
• Demonstrated basic knowledge of political science, history, philosophy, physical geography, law, social justice, the environment, and current events.
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment with diverse employees and/or student/community volunteer groups.

Preferred Qualifications  

• A graduate degree in journalism, the arts and humanities, or a related field.
• Five years¿ experience working as a radio or television news reporter.
• Two years¿ experience supervising the work of one or more full time employees.
• Experience supervising students and community volunteers.

Conditions of Employment  

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform her/his/their assigned duties.

Bellevue College employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Sexual Misconduct and Background Check:

Prior to start of employment, finalists(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law.

Check frequently in your inbox, spam, junk, clutter email folders for any communication regarding the next steps from Bellevue College and our background check partners.

Reference Check:

Reference checks may include, but are not limited to, contacting references and verification of work experience, and/or past job duties. 

Other Information  

• This position is NOT eligible for relocation allowance.
• This position is NOT eligible for sponsorship for employment-based visa.

How To Apply  

Applications received by 09/04/2025 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. 

All individuals interested in this position are encouraged to apply. Your application must include a complete online application and all of the required documents below to be considered complete. Any application that does not provide all requested information will not be considered for the position (only submit required documents with the application, additional documents will not be reviewed.) Please review Application Tips before applying. Current Bellevue College employees should apply the position through Employee Self Service.

Required application materials:   

• Attach a Cover Letter (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Resume
• Complete Job Questionnaires 

Contact: 

If you have questions with regards to the application or the hiring process, please contact Office of Human Resources at jobs@bellevuecollege.edu

EEO Statement  

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, language, ethnicity, religion, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Please see policy 4150 at www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, 425-564-2641, Office C227, and EEOC/504 Compliance Officer, 425-564-2178, Office B126. 

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may contact hraccommodations@bellevuecollege.edu .

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