Part-Time Sub Host, 1A (Pool)

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About the Department/Unit

WAMU 88.5 is Washington DC’s leading public radio station for NPR news and information. It’s our mission to connect Washingtonians with each other and the world through balanced, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining programs of the highest quality. 

Summary/Objective

The 1A Sub Host plans, prepares and presents a two-hour nationally broadcast live daily talk show. There are additional duties to serve on-demand and time shifted audiences.

The candidate should have good political, cultural, literary and sport knowledge. The sub host of the program complements the main Host as one of the voices and personality of the program across all broadcast and digital platforms.

The Sub Host, 1A is a visible and prominent personality associated with WAMU. As such, the host must maintain an exemplary public profile exhibiting professionalism, civility, and respect. The individual plays a key role conveying the station’s highest journalistic standards, creative sensibility and must adhere to NPR’s code of ethics.

The Sub Host will be supported by the production team and able to conduct their own research on current topics before appearing on air. The sub host will maintain and develop a strong online presence, allowing them to promote the show and better engage with the audience. The Sub Host is responsible for maintaining a professional and positive workplace culture. This position reports directly to the Executive Producer, 1A. 

Essential Functions

1. Prepares for daily broadcast and digital presence through an ongoing diet of print and digital media sources, social media channels, books, magazines, and any other relevant media sources. Prepares program scripts, including introductions, interview outlines. As required records needed digital content and promotional requests from member stations. Makes reasonable efforts post the live program to record interviews, attend meetings and meets visitors.
2. Host two-hour daily call-in talk show with a goal of bringing smart analysis and insights to light around the day’s news and the nation’s top thought leaders. Exhibits authenticity, empathy, credibility, and curiosity. Earns the trust and loyalty of listeners, respects and supports the production team and is courteous to guests who are the best known and most respected people in their fields.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This position will work Part-Time on an as-needed basis.
• No more than 20 hours/week. 

Salary Range

• Minimum salary: $74.40/hour.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 8-10 years of relevant experience in journalism or a related field, including 7+ years’ experience as an on-air host in radio, TV or online video.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Must have a genuine talent for entertaining conversation, immense curiosity, and the ability to handle a tremendous breadth of subject matter, from history to politics to economics to literature to science to religion to the arts.
• Must be comfortable interviewing individuals from all walks of life, including some extraordinarily prominent people.
• Must be curious, creative, compelling, passionate, highly intelligent and willing and able to embrace a fast-paced program that will evolve daily to embrace new platforms, topics and opportunities.
• Must have a passion for public media journalism.

Union Eligibility

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective barga