Urban Unrest

11 June 2007 | Opportunities, Pacifica | Ernesto Aguilar

KPFA-FM in Berkeley, California, was established in 1949 as the first listener-supported radio station in the U.S. It is the flagship station of the Pacifica Network, which is a mission-driven organization dedicated to free speech, peace, social justice, and cross-cultural understanding. Broadcasting at 59,000 watts, KPFA serves much of Northern and Central California with an eclectic mix of arts, cultural, music, news and public affairs programming. KPFA seeks a General Manager to provide leadership and vision, who is serious about innovative, high-quality, community-based programming. Go to KPFA.org/jobs for details.

Responsibilities

The General Manager is responsible and accountable for overall administration, personnel, programming, financing, technical operations and public relations of the station. Working with the staff, the Local Station Board, and the community, the General Manager is responsible for monitoring and guiding the station.

The General Manager (GM) supervises a management team consisting of the Development Director, Program Director, Business Manager, Operations Director and others, in the administration of all station operations, including programming, human resources, budgeting, fundraising, long-term planning, and FCC compliance. The GM reports to both KPFA’s elected Local Station Board and Pacifica’s national Executive Director in implementation of the Pacifica mission.

Financial Accountabilities and Responsibilities
1 In collaboration with Pacifica’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director (ED), supervises the preparation of the station’s annual budget (currently $4.8 million) and presents it to KPFA’s Local Station Board and the Pacifica National Board for review and approval.
2 Maintains the fiscal integrity of the station through membership/fundraising activities, budget management, and compliance with Pacifica National Board and Pacifica National Office policies and practices.
3 Supervises the preparation of the station budget and reports for revenue and expense oversight and ensure that station’s maintain a balanced budget (plus or minus 5 percent) and/or within Board and National Office guidelines.

General Operations/Physical Plant
1 Ensure transmitter function and compliance with all necessary local, state and Federal laws and regulations.
2 Ensure maintenance of physical plant in conjunction with chief engineer and/or operations manager.

Programming
1 Ensure program content complies with all necessary state and Federal laws, regulations, and requirements as well as Pacifica programming policies and requirements.
2 In coordination with a Program Director, present an annual program report to the Executive Director, Local Station Board, and Pacifica National Board in line with Pacifica’s mission, PNB policies, and National Office priorities and/or goals.
3 Establish, maintain, and review programming goals and services in line with Pacifica’s mission and goals.
4 Oversee technical broadcast operations and program content, delivery, format and schedule.
5 Supervise Program Director and communicate programming goals and initiatives.

FCC, CPB, EEO, AG Reports
1 Ensure completion of and compliance with necessary public file reports, annual CPB Station Activity Surveys, FCC license renewal applications, EEO mandates, charity registration with state Attorney General, OSHA regulations, or other necessary local, state and Federal filing
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Governance
1 Attend Pacifica National Board meetings four times a year
2 Serve as a non-voting member of the station’s LSB, attending once per month as an ex-officio member.
3 Select a regular Program Director from a pool of candidates presented by the station’s Local Station Board.
4 Work with Local Elections Supervisor on implementing Pacifica governance election procedures and policies. Communicate and enforce Fair Campaign Provisions to staff. Provide office facilities to Local Elections Supervisor.
5 Report to the PNB quarterly on the status of diversity of station staffing, programming and audience (data permitting) within the radio station areas.

Personnel/Trade Union
1 Supervise all station staff, paid (50+) and unpaid (150+)
2 Attend trade union contract negotiations, handle grievance process, and manage union employees.
3 Follow all Pacifica procedures, and state and Federal laws, regarding employment processing, recruitment and selection, hiring, termination, and other personnel actions, and follow the Pacifica Foundation employment handbook and union contracts
4 Ensure that public safety measures are in place at the station for paid and unpaid staff, members of the general public, and visitors.

Community Relations
1 Represent the station and Pacifica at public forums. Handle media relations for the station.
2 Broadcasts monthly report to the listeners with at least half the scheduled time allotted for call-ins.

Development
1 Devise, with the Development Director, a strategy and plan for fundraising in and outside the station.

Internet
1 Through oversight of KPFA’s Web Worker, maintain a web site for the station. Maintain publication of programming schedules on the station’s web sites and in other appropriate venues
2 Maintain publication of appropriate station and network information, including those required by law (i.e., EEO) or by policy.

REQUIREMENTS:
Demonstrated commitment to Pacifica’s Mission. Bachelor’s Degree or commensurate experience in related field. 3-5 years of management experience in radio or related media required, radio preferred. Candidate must be committed to creating a diverse workplace. Candidate will possess excellent management skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with paid and volunteer staff. Candidate will possess strong interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to lead and motivate staff and volunteers. Fund raising experience required.

SALARY:
This is a full-time management position. Annual salary: DOE. Excellent benefits: medical, dental, 403(b), and generous vacation and holiday benefits.
TO APPLY:

Email your resume, letter of interest and salary requirement to biz at kpfa.org biz[at]kpfa.org fax to (510) 848-4503, or mail to:
Attn: General Manager Search
KPFA Business Office
1929 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Applications will be held in confidence
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DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Open until filled. Refer to Job Code 0406GM.
Pacifica Foundation/KPFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, gender, age, disability, or sexuality.

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