Job Description

Position: Newsletter Writer/Engagement Editor

Reports to: Editorial Director

Position overview and background:

Jacksonville Today, a digital news platform from WJCT Public Media, seeks a journalist to head up the local newsletter for Northeast Florida. Here’s what our subscribers say: “Thank you so much for this opportunity to focus on our hometown news. It’s a terrific way to keep our eyes on what affects us daily and not be so distracted by what doesn’t!” Readers should feel like they know everything they need to know about local and state events, politics, and cultural happenings to start their day.

The ideal candidate is an insatiable local newshound (you probably can’t go more than five hours without checking Twitter) who relishes the chance to speak directly with thousands of eager readers each morning.

Launched in October 2021 and growing quickly, the newsletter is a key product in WJCT’s plan to significantly expand innovative journalism in our regional market. It is also part of our digital strategy to engage our audience and ultimately convert them into supporters of their local public media organization.

The Newsletter Editor/Engagement Editor will also help increase audience engagement beyond the newsletter, through tools such as Hearken. Working with the Editorial Director and others, the Newsletter Editor/Engagement Editor will be responsible for day-to-day management of these initiatives.

• Stay on top of the news — Write and assemble the Jacksonville Today newsletter Sunday through Thursday for M-F distribution, curating local and state news stories from many sources
• Get the story out (and looking good) — Publish newsletters in Mailchimp and, along with our Creative Director and Digital Director, ensure accessibility and other design standards are upheld. Also, publish Jacksonville Today columns and special features on jaxtoday.org using the WordPress CMS
• Flex your reporting muscles — Contribute occasional original reporting for the Jacksonville Today newsletter and web audience
• Connect with readers — Beyond direct callouts in the newsletter, use engagement tools such as Google forms; Hearken; the GroundSource text messaging service; and social media to solicit audience questions and feedback to guide editorial strategy
• Adjust as needed — Work with members of the digital, news and membership teams to track key performance metrics and adjust editorial and distribution plans accordingly

• Excellent news judgment
• Excellent writing skills: strong grasp of grammar, punctuation, and AP style
• A strong “voice”: the ability to meld personal insights and even humor with the professional tone of Jacksonville Today
• Self-starter who thrives on a nightly deadline (we edit at night to ensure the freshest stories in our 6 a.m. newsletter)
• Preferred: Proficiency in Mailchimp, WordPress and social media like Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, etc.
• Preferred: Deep knowledge of Northeast Florida dynamics, politics, and geography
• Bonus: Demonstrated track record of growing a newsletter subscriber base

If you meet the stated qualifications and want to join our team-oriented workplace please send a resume and cover letter stating position of interest and salary requirements to: jobs@wjct.org, fax: 904-358-6385, or mail to: WJCT HR 100 Festival Park Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32202

At WJCT Public Media, we pride ourselves on hiring the best. From TV production to engineering, finance to radio, the thread that binds our team is our passion for the quality product we provide to our viewers and listeners. WJCT Public Media seeks individuals who not only are technically skilled and knowledgeable, but also have great interpersonal ability. While we appreciate every applicant’s interest, only those under consideration will be contacted. We regret that phone calls will not be accepted.

WJCT Public Media is an equal-opportunity, equal access employer. WJCT Public Media’s employment decisions are based on applicants’ qualifications for the positions being considered. These decisions are made with no regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected status.

WJCT Public Media values the unique thoughts and ideas diverse voices bring to our organization and to our community, and we pride ourselves on being an employer where individuals are given the respect, acceptance and support needed to achieve their professional best.

WJCT Public Media is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment for our employees. As such, candidates being considered for employment with WJCT Public Media will be required to complete a pre-employment drug screen prior to any confirmation of offers.

The Content Distribution Specialist will operate and oversee the computers, software, and broadcast equipment that gathers media assets, assembles program streams, and delivers broadcast television signals to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations around the country. This position is located at the Broadcast Operations Center (Hub) of the Digital Convergence Alliance (DCA), which currently serves over 17 million TV households in multiple television markets.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma &/or equivalent, prefer Associates degree
• 2+ years applicable broadcast experience with training in master control operations and traffic.
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven computer aptitude.
• Clear ability to multitask and prioritize while working under pressure and tight deadlines.
• An ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly.
• A “can-do” customer service attitude; previous experience working with clients.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as an integral team member.
• Must be able to work a day, night, or weekend shift with the ability to move into an alternate shift if needed, as well as overtime & holidays.
• SBE certification preferred or the ability to earn SBE certification.
• PBS experience a plus.
• Knowledge of Grass Valley iControl and iTX a plus.
• Knowledge of Myers ProTrack a plus.

If you meet the stated qualifications and want to join our team oriented workplace please send a resume and cover letter stating position of interest and salary requirements to: jobs@wjct.org, fax: 904-358-6385, or mail to: WJCT HR 100 Festival Park Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Term: Spring or Summer
Degree: Human Resources; Human Resources Management
Year: Junior, Senior, Graduate Level
Hours: Flexible
Compensation: Unpaid
Contact: Please send cover letter stating area of interest, availability and resume to: Valerie Strickland-Smith, Human Resources
(904)358-6371; Fax: (904)358-6385;E -Mail:vsmith@wjct.org

Internship Activities - With supervisory guidance the intern will:

• Gain exposure to generalist HR fundamentals with a specific project assignment in one core area: Compensation, Training, Recruitment, HR Database Management etc, area TBD at time of internship based on need.
• Will be asked to assist &/or conduct a PowerPoint presentation of “lessons learned” during the internship period to Sr. Management & or the HR Committee of the Board of Trustees at the conclusion of the internship period.
• Will attend management &/or staff meetings to gain a better understanding of organizational dynamics.

Intern Qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills for dealing with staff and management;
• Ability to research, organize, compile and analyze data;
• Ability to self-manage, and meet project deadlines and goals;
• Reliable, someone we can count on;
• Experienced in Microsoft Office Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Work Schedule: Will work around the student's school schedule

About WJCT Public Media:
WJCT Public Media is the Public Broadcasting station (Public Broadcasting Service & National Public Radio) serving NE Florida and SE Georgia. Founded in 1958, WJCT is an indispensable resource for every citizen of the First Coast Community, setting the standard in the presentation of education, arts, news and information to the community we serve.

If you meet the stated qualifications and want to join our team oriented workplace please send a resume and cover letter stating position of interest and salary requirements to: jobs@wjct.org, fax: 904-358-6385, or mail to: WJCT HR 100 Festival Park Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Typical requirements for consideration include:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be enrolled in or sponsored by an accredited college or university;
• Matriculated to the junior year by the start of the internship period;
• Be seeking course credit or fulfillment of additional community/college requirements;
• Pursuing a major that relates to the products and services provided by WJCT.