Editorial Director

About this position

This newly created position is an opportunity to play the leading role in the creation of a reimagined and innovative model for providing civic news and information across a wide rural region - the High Plains Civic Media Network (HPCMN). The model is centered on developing and working with a wide network of individual and organizational contributors to provide a steady stream of content across media platforms that well serves the needs and interests of residents of the High Plains. The Editorial Director of the HPCMN serves as the leader, developer and supporter of the Network, and the creator of a service dedicated to enriching the civic, social and cultural life of individuals and communities across the High Plains region.

Major funding for the multi-year startup of the HPCMN has been provided by Press Forward and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Primary areas of responsibility

• Developing an ongoing understanding of the needs, interests and perspectives of residents of the High Plains and how the HPCMN can best serve them
• Identifying and recruiting individuals and organizations from across the region to become paid or volunteer contributors to the network in a variety of roles (e.g. Community Correspondents, Topical Correspondents, Regional Curators and Community Connectors)
• Developing standards, practices, guidelines and workflows to support network contributors in creating content across platforms
• Planning and prioritizing coverage across the network’s contributors to best serve the needs and interests of High Plains residents
• Reviewing and editing contributor submissions and providing instruction and guidance on journalism practices, standards and ethics
• Producing content across platforms as needed to supplement and complement the work of network contributors
• Continually tracking and assessing HPCMN’s overall audience reach and engagement across platforms through digital audience data

Needed experience, skills and attributes

• 3-5+ years’ work experience as a journalist and journalism manager, or equivalent content writing, editing and managing experience
• Firm knowledge of journalism ethics, standards and practices
• Cross-platform content production, editing, scheduling and publishing (website, mobile, social, newsletter, broadcast, podcast, etc.)
• Relationship development, managing through influence and building a collaborative work environment in a virtual setting
• “Audience first” and “audience service” perspective, orientation and conviction

Work location: HPPR maintains studios in Garden City, KS and Amarillo, TX with Garden City as its operational hub and a preferred location for on-site work. Much of the daily work can be done remotely and work arrangements from other locations on the High Plains can be considered.

How to apply: Send a letter of interest in the position and resume to Quentin Hope, Executive Director at qhope@hppr.org.

Application deadline: Open until filled; applications are reviewed as received.

Further information: A PDF of the full position listing can be found here. Additional information about the position as well as the concept and design of the High Plains Civic Media Network are available by contacting Quentin Hope, Executive Director at qhope@hppr.org.

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About High Plains Public Radio (HPPR) and the High Plains Civic Media Network (HPCMN)

High Plains Public Radio serves Western Kansas, the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and far Eastern Colorado with public media services closely tuned to the environment, economy, cultures, history and community life of this High Plains region. These services include two audio programming channels (HPPR MIX offering news and mixed music and HPPR CONNECT with all news, information and talk) and hppr.org focusing on regional news, features and events. To ensure free and convenient access to its services HPPR operates a network of 18 FM stations, along with digital streaming and mobile app.

HPPR is an independent non-profit organization (the Kanza Society, Inc) founded in 1977 as a grass-roots effort to bring public media services to the High Plains region. It began its first broadcast operations in 1980.

The High Plains Civic Media Network is the major strategic initiative of HPPR in order to: 1) further fulfill its mission of “supporting and enriching the civic, educational, community and cultural life of residents of the High Plains region”, 2) reach, engage and serve a larger and more diverse audience, and 3) build a greater base of local financial support.

Health coverage, life insurance, paid days off and professional development support are provided.

English; Spanish a plus