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The USD Department of Communication, in partnership with Student Affairs, invites applicants for a Teaching Professor to serve as the Student Media Advisor beginning in the Fall 2026. Candidates with academic and industry experience specializing in contemporary journalism practice are encouraged to apply.
Candidates will teach a lower-division course Comm 220 “Journalism and Public Relations” and an upper-division course, Comm 493 “USD Media Practicum.” In addition, there are a variety of opportunities to teach other journalism courses, including but not limited to, Comm 421 “Multimedia Journalism.” The required and total teaching load is 5 courses per year. Course content should align with goals of the student media experience.
In the context of the University of San Diego’s mission, the Student Media Advisor is responsible for providing guidance and advising for USD’s student media outlets including The Vista student newspaper, USDtv, and USD Radio. Professional journalistic standards are expected to be employed by the advisor, while simultaneously being mindful of the university’s respect for the dignity of all persons. The advisor is responsible for ensuring compliance with all USD policies and adheres to legal and ethical journalistic practice.
This position requires knowledge about, willingness and ability to comply with federal, state and local laws and ordinances, as well as campus policies. The Student Media Advisor will demonstrate attention to detail, commitment to the University’s Catholic mission, excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to perform complex administrative functions independently with a minimum of supervision. Must be able to anticipate needs of student media organizations and advise effectively. Must be flexible, enthusiastic and committed to student development. Excellent interpersonal skills with a diverse population, including possessing the ability to develop and use empathetic listening skills, communicate with clarity and maintain an attitude that conveys respect, assistance, honesty and resourcefulness.
Position will have non-traditional hours and attend meetings and events that are likely to occur during evenings and weekends.
Supervision:
This teaching position is included in the Non-tenure Track Bargaining Unit, and the successful applicant employee, subject to the terms of the College’s Collective Bargaining will be a bargaining unit member and will be subject to the University’s Agreement with SEIU Local 721.
The role of Student Media Advisor will be evaluated by the Vice President for Student Affairs annually. We hope that the employment with Student Affairs will be mutually beneficial and rewarding. However, personnel changes may be initiated by the employee or the University. The appointment as Student Media Advisor is not for a fixed period of time and is separate from the appointment as a Teaching Professor. Either the employee or the University may choose to end the employment as Student Media Advisor at any time, with or without notice or cause. No trustee, officer, manager, supervisor or employee of the University has the authority to make any representation that contradicts the at-will nature of your employment relationship as Student Media Advisor.
Student Media Advisor Job Responsibilities (50% of full-time position):
Advising: (70%)
- Provide direct advising and support to the student media managers and/or editors as they work through the editorial process (i.e., attending editorial meetings or organization meetings to determine programming and story ideas.)
- Facilitate the integration of theory and practice through reflection and dialogue.
- Advise students about laws pertaining to the First Amendment in the context of a private University.
- Advise students about current debates and practices related to copyright and fair-use.
- Advise students on FCC regulations that govern broadcast communication.
- Advise student media staff on how to approach topics mindful of the Catholic identity of the University.
- Provide information regarding relevant conferences and attend with students if possible.
- Be proactive in addressing the changing media environment as related to distribution of news and entertainment content.
- Facilitate effective transitions between departing and incoming student managers/editors including establishing clear expectations regarding the role of the advisor.
Training (10%)
- Facilitate the training of students in all aspects of production across platforms as needed.
- Facilitate the training of students in journalistic and design guidelines.
- Facilitate the training of students in best practices of entertainment content related to their interest.
Equipment Management (10%)
- Ensure production equipment is in working order and identify future equipment needs.
- Be able to troubleshoot and fix minor equipment failures.
Budget & Administration (10%)
- Collaborate with Communication faculty teaching related media courses, to ensure a seamless learning experience for students.
- Serve as a member of the University’s Student Media Executive Council.
- Review budgets and financial reports.
- Facilitate communication about budget needs with Associated Students and Student Affairs.
- Advise students about how to sell advertising space in the student media.
- Actively participate in the selection process for student media leads.
- Must be committed to student development, mentorship, and the university’s Catholic identity and mission.
- Ability to work nights and some weekends
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Phone, Standard PC, Macintosh Computer, Microsoft and other Editing Products, video cameras, printer, projector, fax/scan and copy machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
The employee will frequently sit; stand; walk; climb; talk; hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 15 pounds. The employee must be able to see closely and be able to adjust focus for use of computer and distance visibility.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The student media areas are located near open student meeting rooms, program space and workspace. The noise level in these spaces is moderate to loud dependent upon the time of day and the level of activity in adjacent spaces; the facility is air-conditioned.
This is a full-time temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of May 31, 2027. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.
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