The Department of Communication and Media at Utah State University (Logan campus) seeks applications for a Utah Public Radio (UPR) News Director and Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. This faculty member will oversee the production of broadcast and digital content, supervise student journalists, manage relationships with UPR’s partners, and regularly teach courses related to their expertise.  

Utah Public Radio broadcasts news, information, public affairs, and cultural programming 24 hours a day across Utah and in Southern Idaho. UPR is situated within the Department of Communication & Media at Utah State University, which offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Journalism, Communication Studies, and Technical Communication and Rhetoric. Utah State University is home to award winning researchers and instructors. As a land-grant institution, USU provides readily available, research-based programs and educational resources in efforts to improve the lives of residents across the state. Situated in a mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, USU is surrounded by numerous trail systems, the Logan River, Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, Bear Lake, and a growing restaurant and music scene downtown.  

Review of applications will begin January 19, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.   

Please direct all questions related to this job posting to the search committee chair, Dr. Sydney O’Shay, at Sydney.oshay@usu.edu

The responsibilities for this role include 75% News Director/Program Production (area of excellence), 20% teaching (area of effectiveness), and 5% service. Specific responsibilities include: 

• Ensure timely filing and editing of news content, maintain production quality, and foster student collaboration with partners. 
• Hire, train, and mentor student reporters; oversee story and social media development; and manage the intern budget. 
• Maintain editorial partnerships with the Salt Lake Tribune and other media organizations; assist with sourcing and story development; and edit stories. 
• Coordinate with USU departments and external organizations for content creation and grant writing. 
• Represent UPR at community and university events to build relationships, source stories, and strengthen outreach. 
• Contribute news and feature stories, support web and mobile content strategies, and participate in promotional and fundraising efforts. 
• Ensure all content meets FCC and organizational standards. 
• Teach three courses annually (one course each in fall, spring, summer) across the department’s curriculum, and mentor students in reporting and digital content creation, and develop new courses in line with the candidate’s expertise. 
• Provide service to the department, university, and profession. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability and/or interest in mentoring students and collaborating with partnership organizations, colleagues, and the broader public.
• Interest in teaching news writing and production, media writing, public relations, feature writing classes, or similar courses for radio and digital content. Preference will be given to candidates with teaching experience.
• Ability to work flexible hours to fulfill teaching, news reporting, promotional activities, community outreach, and other role responsibilities. 
• 2+ years of successful radio experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership experience preferred. 
• A Master’s degree in Journalism, Communication, or a related field (preferred).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrated proficiency with studio equipment, editing software, and social media platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
• Names and contact information of at least three references (requested in the online application). References will be contacted for letters of recommendation for select candidates following review of initial applications. 
• A portfolio of the candidate’s work, including: 
  • Three writing samples (news stories, feature reports, etc.) 
  • Three short audio samples (news stories, feature reports, etc.) 
  • Links to three examples of digital news stories and feature reports 
  • Examples of longer-form programs or podcasts you have produced or contributed to.  
  • No more than three samples of student work supervised by the candidate. 

For the portfolio, links to online content are acceptable. If files are large, please provide access via a shared drive or portfolio link.  For more information or to apply for this position, please go to [INSERT URL] 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Communication Studies program at Utah State University is housed in the Department of Communication and Media, which includes multiple distinct yet complementary programs including Communication Studies, Technical Communication and Rhetoric, and Journalism and Communication. Embedded in a multidisciplinary department, the Communication Studies program is home to award winning researchers and instructors, a robust undergraduate major, and a terminal master’s program. Situated 75 miles north of Salt Lake City in Cache Valley, USU Logan is surrounded by numerous trail systems, the Logan River, Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, Bear Lake, and a growing restaurant and music scene downtown.  

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025