MSU Student Radio | WDBM-FM
Now Hiring: Sports Broadcast Director
Work for one of Michigan State University’s largest student organizations!
Impact 89FM is seeking a Sports Broadcast Director. This is a paid staff position in the organization, working with a paid staff of approximately 80students and a volunteer staff of approximately 200 students. Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students at Michigan State University.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must be a student at Michigan State University.
- Must have excellent interpersonal, training and motivational skills.
- Must be self-driven, detail-oriented, and highly organized.
- Must have demonstrated timely communication skills. It is expected that email, chat, text or voice messages are returned within 24 hours during the standard work week.
- Must be able to manage multiple projects at a time and meet deadlines.
- Must be willing to work during non-business hours as needed.
- Must have familiarity with computer systems and data organization as well as technical troubleshooting skills.
- Must be enthusiastic about sharing sports journalistic content.
- Must be able to effectively train, coach and mentor staff members.
- Must have live on-air sports broadcasting experience.
- Must have experience with broadcast and recording microphones and related equipment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current staff member at Impact 89FM.
- Familiarity with Impact 89FM’s strategic planning process, including mission, vision, core values, and long-term goals.
- Demonstrated leadership and personnel management experience.
- Expertise with Telos Axia AoIP networked radio consoles.
- Expertise with Comrex ACCESS remote broadcasting equipment.
- Experience with broadcast microphones and related field equipment.
- Proficiency in audio production software and tools, including Audacity, Hindenburg and Descript.
- Successful related coursework in sports journalism and broadcasting.
- Prior professional experience in sports journalism and broadcasting.
- Prior experience in play-by-play announcing.
Typical Duties & Responsibilities:
- Working with the Program Director to plan and program schedule for daily sports live stream.
- Updating social media accounts for the main Impact 89FM socials as well as Impact Sports to preview upcoming broadcasts, game recaps, and other sports content.
- Coordinating with the Program Director to schedule broadcast of sports content on 88.9FM at their direction or on the sports live stream when FM broadcast time is not available.
- Communicating with the Program Director to share digital audio files to include in the ENCO DAD radio automation system by given deadlines on a weekly basis.
- Being on call as the first point of contact for technical issues pertaining to live sports broadcasts. Responses are expected as soon as possible.
- Working closely with the Executive Board management staff to identify programming strategies that align with values identified through strategic planning as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
- Implementing editorial decisions made by Executive Board and management staff.
- Implementing programming decisions made by Executive Board and management staff.
- Working closely with department paid staff to lead, train and mentor a team of volunteer staff who will broadcast play-by-play content.
- Communicating with and working closely with MSU Athletic Communications, the NCAA, the Big Ten Conference, Fox Sports and other entities as needed to secure all necessary permissions, equipment and credentials for successful broadcasts on campus and at away locations.
- Working with the Sports Director and the General Manager to plan out travel opportunities for remote broadcasts.
- Troubleshooting technical issues and equipment problems as they arise.
- Working closely with the Audio Production Director to create and maintain current production elements for legal IDs, bumpers, promos, PSAs, show intros/outros/breaks and other needed materials.
- Assisting in the gathering of entries for state and national competitions.
- Participating in established meetings for departments, teams, and other initiatives as necessary and appropriate.
- Representing the station and assisting with required events throughout the academic year as a paid staff member.
- Ensuring compliance with all Michigan State University and Federal Communications Commission regulations, directives and policies.
- Working closely with the Executive Board and management staff to broadcast and publish content that aligns with values identified through strategic planning as well as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
- Participating in office and on-air duties as determined by management staff.
- Ensuring timely completion of personal projects, department projects and station-wide projects using project management system.
- Maintaining all station files and documents in network-based and cloud-based storage systems.
- Filling in where and when necessary to accomplish station goals and objectives.
Reports to:
- Sports Director
Salary & Hours:
- Student director and editor positions start at $16 an hour. There are opportunities for advancement based upon satisfactory performance review.
- This position requires up to 10 hours a week.
Applications will be accepted through February 14, 2025
Applicants can apply for this position exclusively through the Michigan State University Handshake system.
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Aircheck: As a separate attachment, submit a sample aircheck. This should be a scoped MP3 file (meaning breaks and music should mostly be edited out) containing at least instances that show your live broadcast talent. Airchecks should be no longer than 10 minutes.
More information about Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM is available online at impact89fm.org.
MSU Student Radio is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.
