Morning Edition Host & Producer - Illinois Public Media

Job Summary
The Morning Edition Host & Producer is responsible for serving as the local on-air voice for Morning Edition, integrating national NPR programming with timely local news, weather, traffic, and station content. This position hosts and operates live morning broadcasts, writes and produces newscasts under deadline pressure, conducts and edits interviews, supports digital content efforts, and engages with communities throughout the region to strengthen local coverage and audience connection.

Duties & Responsibilities
Live Broadcast & Board Operation

Host and anchor the local broadcast of Morning Edition, delivering a confident, conversational, and authentic on-air presence.

Operate the digital audio control board and automation systems under live broadcast conditions.

Seamlessly integrate local newscasts, weather, traffic, and promotional breaks while strictly hitting national network time posts.

Maintain absolute composure and improvisational agility on-air during technical failures or breaking news.

News Production & Editorial Judgment

Monitor overnight developments, wire services, and local beats to stack, write, and edit fresh hourly newscasts.

Rapidly synthesize complex information into clear, accurate, and objective copy during severe weather or public safety events.

Conduct, record, and edit high-quality interviews (“two-ways”) with local newsmakers and regional reporters.

Actively participate in daily newsroom editorial meetings, contributing story ideas and ensuring diverse perspectives are reflected in coverage.

Digital & Station Support

Repurpose morning audio assets, interviews, and features for digital platforms, such as vertical videos, podcasts, and newsletters.

Serve as a primary on-air talent and pitch-producer during station membership and fundraising drives.

Community Engagement

Travel to libraries in the region to connect with the communities they cover, focusing on rural and underserved communities outside Champaign-Urbana.

Host pop-up displays to talk with community members about ongoing issues, speak with people one-on-one and promote surveys.

Conduct, record, and edit high-quality interviews (“two-ways”) with local residents or newsmakers to help build the regional presence.

Minimum Qualifications
Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) of the following types of preparation:

Progressively more responsible work experience in the production and presentation of radio or television programs, social media, and/or print or online journalism.

Vocational training in radio and/or television production, journalism, social media, news or feature writing and/or announcing or closely related fields.

College coursework in radio/television, journalism, social media, news or feature writing or closely related fields.

60 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months).

75 semester hours equals one (1) year and six (6) months (18 months).

90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months).

120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s degree equals three (3) years (36 months).

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in public radio.

2–5 years of demonstrated experience in a live broadcast environment.

Demonstrated experience in audio editing, digital board operation, and production software utilization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Exceptional Journalism: Sound ethical judgment with a fierce commitment to accuracy, fairness, balance, and public media standards.

Broadcast Writing: The ability to write tight, conversational copy under extreme deadline pressure.

Adaptability: A flexible team player who enjoys working across reporting, technical, and digital production roles.

Community Connection: A deep curiosity about regional issues, politics, culture, and geography.

Utility Journalism: The ability to translate complex regional developments into clear, practical, locally grounded journalism that helps listeners understand how the news affects their daily lives.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4521 – Media Writer/Producer/Announcer I position. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary range for this position is $50,000 to $55,000 annually. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. Please visit the SUCSS website at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

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