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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Program Host
Job Summary:
Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) seeks a warm, engaging classical music host for its statewide music network. This person will produce and host a live, three-hour morning drivetime show each weekday. The host will also assist with programming music for the show and will produce content for WPR’s digital platforms. WPR Music presents thirteen hours of locally-hosted classical music each weekday, along with locally-hosted classical, folk, and world music on weekends.
The ideal candidate has deep knowledge of and passion for classical music, artists, and recordings, from core repertory to crossover and other related music. This host possesses the experience and aptitude to create appealing, audience-focused programs, conduct occasional interviews, operate broadcast equipment, and connect with state and local music communities. Technical training will be provided.
This position reports to the WPR Music Program Director.
This is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week position.
This position is Ongoing/Renewable.
The live on-air shift is 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Monday through Friday. This host will also voice track the 6:00 AM hour of music each weekday. The typical work day would be 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
The host will be expected to host the live daily show in the studio. A schedule that includes some remote work at an offsite, non-campus work location is possible for hours outside of the live show. This position can be located at our Madison, La Crosse, or Eau Claire bureaus.
Remote work requires an approved flexible work arrangement (FWA). A FWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.
It is expected that employees will make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions. Information about UW-Madison Driver Authorization can be found at https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Delivers on-air content for various platforms that may include facilitating on-air conversations and/or providing informational content for audiences
- May represent the unit at public events, participating in promotional, community, and fundraising events as necessary
- Develops and contributes content that may include interviewing sources, programming music, writing stories and completing other necessary production tasks as assigned to create content
- Serves as a resource for questions and projects
- Maintains familiarity with studio equipment and applicable technology for production and/or broadcast
- Tests and operates studio broadcasting technology and equipment
Department:
Wisconsin Public Media, Wisconsin Public Radio, Music Network – Classical
Wisconsin Public Radio is one of the largest public radio organizations in the country, serving nearly a half-million unique listeners through two networks, thirty-eight broadcasting locations, with robust digital services and regional bureaus around the state.
The WPR Music Network brings listeners a wide range of classical, folk, jazz, and world music, including over 13 hours of locally-hosted classical music every weekday from our studios in Madison and Milwaukee. This includes live in-studio performances with a special focus on Wisconsin performers. The music service also produces regular digital content for the WPR website and social media.
We’d love to add your energy and ideas to the team as we continue to serve audiences across Wisconsin and beyond.
PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio are part of Wisconsin Public Media. The person in this position will be required to comply with the Wisconsin Public Media Code of Ethics: https://wpm.wisc.edu/policies/, in addition to the UW-Madison code of ethics.
#WPR
Compensation:
Expected salary range for this position is between $70,000 and $90,000. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
Required Qualifications:
- 2 or more years of experience as a radio host, or in related broadcast or digital hosting.
- Substantial knowledge of classical music titles, composers and performers.
- Ability to deliver on‑air content in a clear, engaging, and audience‑centered manner that reflects the station’s tone and supports listener connection.
- Experience/familiarity with audio production and related software systems, including on-air automation systems and music database software.
- Ability to work effectively and independently in a deadline-driven, public-facing environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in classical music public radio or other nonprofit radio broadcasting.
- Experience programming classical music for broadcast.
- Experience producing digital content (articles, interviews, podcasts, etc.).
- Experience performing classical music, or working with classical ensembles or other performing arts organizations.
Education:
An Associate's Degree in the study of music, liberal arts, theater and/or communications, or equivalent experience is preferred.
How to Apply:
Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field, either as one combined document, or separate documents.
The following must be received for your application to be complete. Failure to submit the required documents will result in no longer being considered for the position:
1) A cover letter referring to your related work experience,
2) A resume detailing your educational and professional background,
3) A one-page PDF or Word document with hyperlinks to two or three audio samples (1-3 minutes each) demonstrating your work as a host in a professional setting.
Failure to follow these application instructions will result in applications receiving less competitive consideration.
We are eager to learn more about how your experience may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Please keep in mind your cover letter and/or resume should address your experience and how it relates to the position qualifications. The application reviews will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to the first round interviews.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with titles, emails, and phone numbers (including at least one supervisory reference). Note that references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge.
Contact Information:
Katherine Liu, knliu@wisc.edu, +16088903468,
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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