News Content Facilitator/Intern Journalist

Canadian Centre for Civic Media and Arts Development Inc. operates as VX3 Exchange. We are a registered charitable agency and functioning social enterprise within the GTA since 1987. VX3 collaborates with community influencers to increase awareness and inclusivity of culture and heritage across mainstream markets. Our mission is to offer vocational and educational experiences in media that enhance
the abilities of predominately racialized and ethnic community leaders to optimize the use of media and the arts. We leverage the exchange and influence of active participants who through their diversity contribute to building vibrant and aware communities. Find out more about us at: www.vx3exchange.com
Make your mark in Civic Media Journalism. VIBE105 is a division of VX3 Exchange (Toronto), which is an incorporated not-for-profit charitable organization. VX3 Exchange operates a number of service divisions and corporate initiatives which work to propel our mission forward: V360 (Civic Media Trainings),
Advertising/ Marketing Services, Co-ops/ Internships/ Creative Arts & Multi- media development and VIBE105 FM, the market’s ‘Most Diverse Music Mix’.
The News Desk at VIBE105 exists to foster a strong community-led movement for more critical, accountable, and representative media. Our goal is to prioritize and promote the voices/sounds of under/misrepresented people and groups who challenge and carefully examine the intersecting forms of oppression and dominant social structures. We currently have two successful divisions operating under the
News Desk: Broadcasting and Online Media.
We are advancing the world of broadcasting and Digital Media and we want YOU to join our winning team.

JOB DESCRIPTION
The News Desk has an exciting opportunity for an organised and innovative News Content Facilitator/ Civic Media Journalist (Intern) who can assist the News Desk Coordinator, gather and produce effective news content affecting the VIBE 105 communities for both broadcast as well as the online platform, facilitate with contributors and assist in the daily efficient operation of the News Desk. The News Content Facilitator/ Civic Media Journalist will be a recent journalism graduate and/or currently enrolled in a reputed Journalism program. The desired candidate should be able to take leadership roles and complete most tasks with minimum supervision.
The facilitator should be self-driven and be able to keep pace with the constantly evolving nature of a civic media outlet and actively approach stories from an in-depth journalistic lens.
The facilitator will work with unpaid Volunteer and Intern Contributors in the execution of VIBE News, VIBE TALKS/ IMPACT programming, and the curation and delivery of Online Content.
Duties will span across day-to-day production & co-ordination of news stories and content development; volunteer and intern support; and community outreach, under the broad banner of content and contributor administration. The facilitator will work under the direction and supervision of VIBE’s News Desk Coordinator, undergo all necessary trainings over the first two-weeks (remotely), and become a fully
integrated member of the Department. The work environment is one that promotes mentoring; as such, the Content Facilitator will be expected to pass on many of the skills that they have learned to new Contributors. Work organization and the necessary workflow operations will remain remote, including trainings and meetings.
Meetings between the News Desk Coordinator and the facilitator/intern journalist will take place on a regular basis.
The following outlines the responsibilities and qualifications required:
 Pitch and produce (regular) quality News content for VIBE 105’s varied multimedia platforms (Audio– FM, Video and Online articles) along with suitable content for social media engagement.
 Monitor assignment completion and quality across the Department’s ‘internal’ programs; offering feedback and filling in gaps if/when needed, including evaluating and editing audio/video and online submissions when necessary
 Train contributors in broadcast and non-broadcast roles formally and informally, in supplement of News Desk Trainings
 Monitor & update Assignment Desk (remote) with press releases and story
topics/approval/feedback that are consistent with the Dept.’s objectives and core listening/ online audience
 Work in tandem with the Online Writing Coordinators to facilitate the production and publication of content for the website and social media engagement.
 Liaise between programs and contributors to support unified messaging, sharing of content and best-practices, and overall synchronicity, including relationship between broadcast, social and digital media
 Facilitate storyboard meetings: Taking a leadership role by guiding story development according to program, dept., and station mandates. Encourage contributors to include underrepresented voices and perspectives, providing sources of information and interview contacts whenever possible. Take and distribute meeting minutes to the collective within 24 hours. Track attendance and story
pitches, interview completion, broadcast quality, writing quality, etc. Address areas of
improvement with individual contributors.
 Coordinate off-site storyboard meetings frequently. (Remotely – coordinate collective attendance, prepare on-air scripting (audio/visual) for content engagement, etc.)
 Liaise with members of the community to build and maintain relationships, secure interviews, etc.
 Work towards monitoring and completing departmentally recognised goal posts/ themed content for the fiscal year. This includes, but is not limited to, trainings, organizing and coordinating collective engagement groups, leading storyboard meetings and working in tandem with internal and external stakeholders towards achieving the desired results.

Supportive Work:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contributors in need of support with interview question development, finding stories, preparing broadcasts (audio/visual), writing articles, etc.
• Identify contributors who are not meeting quantity or quality standards. Make initial
contact to address issues. Escalate unsuccessful interventions to News Desk Coordinator
• Produce Contingency Episodes for emergency situations
• Oversee and support Program Producers/ Reporters with completion of responsibilities
• Contribute to the development of systems and structures for content and volunteer
management that contribute to the longevity and self-directedness of programs and
opportunities under the close direction of News Desk Coordinator
• Other duties as required

NOTE: ALL OPERATIONS/ TRAININGS WILL BE REMOTE.

QUALIFICATIONS:
 A passionate and professional multimedia journalist with a diverse portfolio and vast background in Journalism.
 Must be able to generate smart commentary
 Tech savvy; able to learn and use multimedia production/publishing tools
 An audiophile, with diverse audio production experience. Video production experience a bonus.
 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the ever-evolving multimedia platforms.
 Must thrive on tight deadlines and the challenge of producing multiple stories in a short period of time
 Must be able to edit, fact check, source and proof read multiple content independently
 Familiarity with digital best practices such as key words, headline writing, SEO, hyperlinks, Flickr, SoundCloud and photo sourcing.
 Knowledge and fluency in editing photos and using content management systems (Trello etc.)
 A proven track record of sound reporting, strong writing and editing skills in writing news and feature stories is A MUST.
 Be able to curate original, efficient, clean and accurate content
 Familiarity with Adobe Creative package programs such as: Photoshop, Audition, Final Cut etc. A MUST.
 Open-minded to various perspectives in alternative, socially engaging programming
 Demonstrate an ability to work in a remote team/collective environment
 Strong written and oral communication skills
 Open-minded to various perspectives in alternative, socially engaging programming
 Demonstrate innovation, problem solving and multitasking skills
 Detail oriented and strong time management skills
 Strong organizational, research and leadership skills
 Ability to follow instructions, work independently and take initiative
 Familiarity with conversion and archiving of digital multimedia files
 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the ever-evolving multimedia platforms/ trends.
 Must thrive on strict deadlines and the challenge of producing multiple stories in a short period of time. Civic Media journalism requires a self-directed, multitasking approach.
 Knowledge and fluency in editing photos and using content management systems (Trello etc.)
 Previous journalism experience A MUST.
Applicants should have extensive knowledge of news, pop culture, a strong news judgment, a fun and witty voice, and the ability to write/ produce multimedia content quickly and cleanly. Ideal candidates should hold a degree in journalism/communications or similar, and should have at least 3+ years of experience in the field of journalism.
Applicant must send a cover letter, resume, samples for review and MUST LIVE IN CANADA and prepare to work REMOTELY. Please specify in your application your area(s) of interest and experience, including any accommodation(s).
If considered for the position applicant must provide three (3) professional references and three (3) personal references prior to a scheduled interview with the editor.
Applicants should be confident, sociable, reliable, fast-learners, quick thinkers, and a self-starter. If you have these qualities, please email to schedule an interview (via Zoom). We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Contract for P/T hours, Approx. $16.00 CAN per hour / 10-15hrs p/wk (additional hours dependant on projects)
Deadline: September 28th, 2020 by 5:00 pm EST
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VX3 Exchange (CCCMAD Inc.) is an anti-sexist, anti-racist, anti-homophobic, anti-oppressive employment environment; and is committed to a diverse and equitable workspace. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Contact Information – Send Submissions to:
Fatima Husain, NewsDesk Coordinator
VIBE105 – Toronto’s Diverse Music Mix
c/o VX3 Exchange
York University – The Student Centre, Suite 413
4700 Keele Street Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Email: jobs@vx3exchange.com Fax: (416) 650-8052
Salary: $16.00 pr/hr
Terms:
Contract for Fall/Winter Term (with potential for extension)
Start Date: Monday, October 5th, 2020
End Date: Thursday, April 30th, 2021 (with opportunity expanded summer contract)
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Upon appointment, the News Content Facilitator/ Intern Journalist will be required to work flexible hours and complete an observation period initially. The candidate will be provided with the necessary trainings during the first two weeks of appointment. Note: these trainings are compulsory to undertake. ONLY CANDIDATES WITH A JOURNALISTIC BACKGROUND (EXPERIENCE) WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE.