Special Information

• This position is posted as Radio Operations & Program Director, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Radio Operations Director.

About the Department/College

KNAU Arizona Public Radio, based at Northern Arizona University, is the NPR affiliate serving northern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau. Since 1983, KNAU has provided award-winning journalism, classical music, and public affairs programming to a diverse and engaged regional audience. The station operates multiple FM frequencies and partners with outlying communities to deliver high-quality, locally relevant content. KNAU is recognized for its commitment to environmental reporting, tribal affairs, and cultural storytelling, and offers professional development opportunities for both staff and students. As a trusted source of news and information, KNAU plays a vital role in connecting communities and fostering public dialogue across the region

About the Position

KNAU, Arizona Public Radio, is seeking a Radio Operations & Program Director to guide the sound, structure, and daily broadcast of northern Arizona’s award-winning public radio station. This position is ideal for a creative and technically savvy leader who’s passionate about public media and its power to inform, inspire, and connect communities.

The Radio Operations & Program Director oversees KNAU’s broadcast operations and ensures consistent, high-quality delivery of local and national content. Working closely with the General Manager, this role helps shape the station’s on-air sound, manages programming and automation systems (WideOrbit) and ensures FCC compliance in all areas. In addition to assuring the station’s audio technical quality, this position serves as KNAU’s Chief Operator and fills in as an on-air host as needed.

We’re looking for someone who brings both creative vision and operational expertise — a leader who understands public radio’s mission, and takes pride in running a smooth, reliable operation.

Join KNAU’s award-winning team — and help shape the future sound of public radio in northern Arizona.

Responsibilities Include

45% - Broadcast Operations and Compliance

• Oversees and coordinates the daily operations of the radio station, ensuring compliance with broadcast standards, university policies, and federal/state regulations.
• Maintains accurate schedules, records, discrepancy reports, and ensures all on-air programming complies with FCC rules, including EAS testing and underwriting standards.
• Serves as Chief Operator for KNAU, responsible for regulatory compliance and technical oversight.
• Advises senior station management on planning, implementing, and evaluating modifications to operations, systems, and procedures.
• Assures station’s audio technical quality.
• Provides advice and assistance to senior station management in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of modification to existing operations, systems, and procedures. 
• Train staff in studio operations, automation and production workflows.
• Acts as staff liaison with contract engineer.
• Coordinate with engineering and IT teams to plan and implement technical improvements, troubleshoot issues, and maintain system reliability.
• Serves as Chief KNAU Operator.
• On-call technical support for staff
• Supervise part-time students, hosts and operations techs - (Essential)

45% - Programming

• Manage programming and automation systems (WideOrbit) to ensure seamless scheduling and broadcast continuity.
• Ensures completed program logs are accurate and conforms to FCC rules and regulations; resolves program log inaccuracies.
• Develops promotions for current programs and specials.
• Monitors networks transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, and/or program changes.
• Acts as liaison to outlying KNAU-operated stations in Prescott, Show Low, Tusayan, Kingman, Cottonwood, Payson, and Page - Coordinates network satellite recordings. Satellite liaison with NPR. Programs Content Depot to assure receipt of network programs.
• Coordinates FTP content delivery from PRX and other sources. - (Essential)

5% - On-Air Hosting

• Performs on-air responsibilities such as hosting live and pre-recorded air shifts as necessary
• Participates in on-air fundraising. - (Essential)

5% - Other duties as assigned. - (Marginal)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting, Communications or related field.
• 1 year of management experience
• 2 year of relevant experience

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with public radio
• Strong demonstrated understanding of NPR programming, public radio audience service, and sound design
• Experience with automation systems (WideOrbit preferred)
• Experience with PRSS SOSS/Content Depot satellite automation and PRX or FTP transfers

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of FCC rules/regulations and public broadcasting compliance
• Knowledge of public radio principles, procedures, operations, and standards.
• Knowledge and understanding of radio communications facilities and distribution systems.
• Knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
• Advanced knowledge of public radio principles, procedures, operations, and standards.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of radio communications facilities and distribution systems.

Skills:

• Records maintenance.
• Organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Examining and developing station operations and procedures, formulating policy, and implementing organizational strategies and procedures.
• Leadership, communication, and team management skills

Abilities:

• Balances competing priorities.
• Communicates effectively.
• Problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.
• Plans, develops, and implements short and long-term goals.
  
  

Compensation

Salary range begins at $58,882.00. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.