News Director

Overview

KILJ Radio is hiring! News Director & Morning Show Co-Host. KILJ Radio is an independently owned, locally focused radio station serving southeast Iowa. With both an AM and FM station, we have been providing up-to-date news, sports, weather and community information since 1970. Learn more about us at

• Co-host 30 minute morning talk show Monday – Friday with our on-air morning personality.
• Manage all activities in the news department.
• Find and report local news, Monday – Saturday. Update news throughout day as necessary.
• Create news reports in text and audio form that are clear, concise, fair, timely, and accurate on various platforms – radio, website, social media.
• Direct part-time staff on weekend news reporting. Prep news Saturday and Sunday as needed.
• Schedule and conduct interviews with community organizations, businesses, and elected officials.
• Regularly attend and report on public meetings (ie: school board, city, county, utilities) and cover special, primary, and general elections.
• Identify, build and maintain news-related partnerships and collaborations with relevant agencies, community stakeholders and news sources.
• Develop marketing strategy for the news department to retain and recruit listeners.
• Meet deadlines consistently while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
• Update and maintain community calendar on
• Help to manage our social media news content including Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify.
• Assist with commercial/production work. This includes writing, recording, editing.
• Learn the station’s software and technology, use and maintain working equipment and help troubleshoot issues.
• Shifts may include covering breaking news, board operation, engineering programs, live broadcasts, sales remotes, severe weather updates/cancelations and any other duties directed.
• Maintain Public Inspection File as required by FCC.

• Holds themselves to the highest level of journalistic excellence and maintains a professional demeanor in all situations.
• Collaborates well in a team but can work independently and take initiative.
• Demonstrates good judgement, decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Relates well to a wide variety of people and the world around them.

Apply applicants with experience in journalism and broadcasting is preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills are a must. Position is full time; and will require some night, weekend, and holiday shifts. This position reports to the general manager. Salary is based on experience.

Please submit your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and audio sample of your work by 5 pm Monday, December 29, 2025, to Kadie Johannson, General Manager of KILJ, by emailing her at  Or in person or by mail to:

KILJ Radio
2411 Radio Drive
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641