Download Scratch Radio Job Descriptions

Scratch Radio Committee Job Descriptions
All Committee Positions
• Will ensure good conduct at all times in the studio, Media Centre (office) and any other areas
designated for Scratch Radio’s use.
• Are expected to update the Social Media accounts as regularly as possible with relevant content.
• Will be expected to act with due authority and responsibility, as appointed to them.
• Are expected to inform their committee line manager of any actions taken or any progress
regarding Scratch Radio in relation to their position.
• Will provide a handover file when vacating a committee position, for when someone is newly
elected when relevant (specified by the station manager and media groups coordinator on a
yearly basis). They must meet for a handover meeting regardless of the role.
• Will be expected to regularly attend committee meetings, or submit apologies of absence as
agreed by the management team.
• Will provide producer cover as agreed during committee meetings.
• All position holders are encouraged to recruit and manage members to support the work within
their team.
• Will be suitably trained in the use of Myriad and any other software or hardware in relation to
their committee position.
• Position holders are to be based in the West Midlands during term time so that they are available
to carry out their elected duties and to attend all relevant meetings throughout their year in post.
• Help to recruit and communicate opportunities to members, relevant to their committee position
Station Manager (Student Only)
Will be responsible for the day to day management of Scratch Radio and management of all
committee members. They will ensure the integrity and good conduct of the station and all
committee members at all times.
• Will ensure the safety, wellbeing and rights of all members and individuals involved in the Scratch
Radio is maintained at all times and will Chair committee meetings.
• Will liaise with members of the station to the best of their ability on a regular basis.
• Will ensure that they and all members of the station are fulfilling their job descriptions to the
best of their ability.
• Will assist other members of the management team as and when such a need arises.
• Will be responsible for every aspect of the station, particularly enforcement of the station
regulations, Students’ Union policies and regulations, Ofcom rules and regulations as well as
British Law.
• Will make themselves available as much as possible for station business and will ensure that
members of the station may contact them as and when required.
• Will be responsible for assessing the station’s needs, and to work with the Media Groups
Coordinator on how the budget will be spent.
• Will ensure that correct logging procedures are in place with regards to PRS and/or PPL requests
(ensuring that companies and organisations requiring this information are in receipt of it in good
time).
• Will liaise with, and are accountable to, the relevant Students’ Union officer(s).
• Will ensure that Scratch is represented by 2 committee members on the appropriate Union
decision making bodies.
• Will liaise with the Union Finance Office, Media Groups Coordinator and/or any member of
Development & Opportunities to raise invoices/purchase orders and so forth in relation to the
station.
• If called upon, will write references or work placement testimonials for BCU Media Group or
Scratch Radio Community members as requested.
Assistant Station Manager (Student Only)
Shall focus specifically on, and are responsible for, all internal administration with regards to Scratch
Radio. Will ensure accurate records of current student, alumni and community membership are
maintained and will be responsible for taking minutes at all committee meetings. Act as Chair at
committee meetings in the absence of the Station Managers.
• Is responsible for arranging induction meetings for Scratch Radio members, using different
methods including (but not limited to) organising stalls at Welcome Week (Freshers) events and
holding induction talks/presentations to students across all campuses within BCU.
• Help make sure that the rest of the committee are motivated and fulfilling their job roles.
• Will take on the Station Manager’s responsibilities in their absence.
• Will hold at least one recruitment drive every semester and will organise subsequent meetings
welcoming people to Scratch Radio.
• Will organise and maintain a database of information on newly signed up members of Scratch
Radio. Will pass this information on to the Station Manager and Media Groups Coordinator so
data can be held correctly in conjunction with the Data Protection Act (1998).
• Will handle direct enquiries sent to the station of people wishing to join Scratch Radio. Will pass
any community and alumni enquiries onto the Community Coordinator. Will act as a direct
contact in helping a new member of Scratch Radio to join a certain team.
• Will organise wider Scratch Radio meeting that are suitable for everybody to attend. All of the
committee, presenters and anybody involved with any of the break out teams. There must be at
least one held every semester [not including the one after Welcome Week]. This is so that the
Assistants can talk about what is currently new with the station. They must liaise with every
department to make sure that they know what to talk about in the presentation. Every
presentation must have been agreed and signed off by the Station Manager. The Station Manager
must include some form of foreword for every presentation.
• Will ensure that they put the time in with each individual to ensure that interest is maintained
and the number of Scratch Radio members continues to rise.
Community Coordinator (Community or Alumni Only)

Recruiting and maintaining interest of community and alumni members.

Keeping an up to date list of all community and alumni members, ensuring they have paid
their membership.
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Liaising with the Media Groups Coordinator to arrange access for community and alumni
members.

Run a community outreach event per semester, which must be approved by the rest of the
committee before arranging.

Assist in organising training for new community or alumni members with the relevant
committee member.

Should be the point of contact for any community or alumni member, or prospective
member.
Head of Station Sound (Student Only)
Responsible for the station’s audible branding whilst keeping within the Students’ Union branding
guidelines. They may not create the branding themselves, however they should have a good
knowledge of procedures around creating it.
• Will be responsible for organising the production of all the station’s jingles, idents, promos and
commercials liaising closely with the Programme Controllers, Head of Marketing and Head of
Music to ensure all material produced is appropriate to programme schedules.
• Will obtain input from other members and ensure all material produced meets the requirements
(in terms of format) of appropriate programmes.
• Will work closely with the Head of Visual Branding to ensure there is a consistent brand
throughout the station.
• Will work closely with Heads of Music and Programme Controllers to ensure Daytime music is in
keeping with station brand.
• Will provide the publicity of the station to external bodies where this is seen necessary, on liaison
with other members of the station.
• Any advertisements made for external companies must be approved by SU marketing.
• Will ensure any advertisement is appropriate to the audience, and observance of any legal
requirements is fully adhered to.
Head of Visual Branding (Student Only)
Responsible for the station’s visual branding whilst keeping within the Students’ Union branding
guidelines. They may not create the branding themselves, however they should have a good
knowledge of procedures around creating it.

Will be responsible for producing anything graphic based. This could be posters, social media
banners, videos, etc.

Will obtain input from other members and ensure all material produced meets the
requirements (in terms of format) of appropriate programmes.

Will liaise with the Media Groups Coordinator and Station Management to obtain Union
approval for all printed promotional materials.

Will work closely with the Webmaster to ensure all online content and imaging is consistent
with the station brand.

Will work closely with the Head of Station Sound to ensure there is a consistent brand
throughout the station.

Will provide any visual content for the publicity of the station around the Union and University,
subject to usual regulations, liaising with the Head of Marketing.

Will ensure any publicised event is appropriate to the audience, and observance of any legal
requirements is fully adhered to.
Chief Engineer (Student Only)
Responsible for the maintenance of all station hardware, in conjunction with the School of Media
technical staff, and acting as adviser with regards technical issues. Manage repairs and advise on
purchases, as well as being responsible for any appropriate action required. This position does not
require expert technical knowledge, rather the ability to spot problems and get them corrected
through liaison with other people.
• Must make sure that she/he is familiar with all station equipment.
• Will ensure the technical wellbeing of the station.
• Will endeavour to make themselves or members of their team contactable at all times and be as
available as possible on short notice during broadcasts.
• Will be responsible for managing repairs on station equipment, whether conducted in-house or
by external companies after seeking approval from the Students’ Union.
• Will be responsible for all equipment and ensuring materials used for output are of broadcast
standard.
• Will assist members with all technical issues, whether this is in the studio, media centre or on
location.
• Will liaise with the Station Management Team and Media Groups Coordinator on allocating team
members to provide technical support for relevant events (e.g. Sound Engineers or DJ’s)
• Will liaise with the Station Management Team, Heads of Music and Programme Controllers of the
pre-recording, or on air live performance of bands and artists.
• Have knowledge of the School of Media radio studios. In order to assist members with pre
recording
Daytime Programme Controller (Student Only)
When elected, the position holders will be briefed by the Station Management Team and
predecessor on how they are to carry out and co-ordinate their duties to ensure that Daytime and is
always being maintained. Below are the General duties.
Together with the Heads of Music, they will be responsible for creating the station schedule based
on suitability of individuals for shows. They will be responsible for allocating Studio and Myriad
training for all registered Scratch Media members, where required, and for making sure that all
members have been suitably trained before being allowed on air.
• Will ensure the smooth running of the station with regards the day to day broadcasting schedule.
• Will regularly co-ordinate and update the broadcast schedule alongside the Heads of Music.
• Will make sure the updated schedule is submitted to the entire station, but specifically to the
Webmaster to keep the website updated.
• Will endeavour to synchronise the music policy with the Heads of Music so as to provide
programming appropriate to the day, audience and time, within the remit as specified in in any
licence application and the stations own branding guidelines.
• Along with the Station Management, be responsible for amending the output of the station
accordingly, should an issue occur that infers with an agreed schedule.
• Will ensure that backup programmes and reserve teams of presenters are trained up and are
always on hand in case of short notice amendments to the agreed schedule.
• Will regularly check content of presenter’s ‘personal carts’ on Myriad and remove content that is
not in keeping with station sound (eg bad quality recordings or tracks not within station
sound/brand).
• Will liaise with the Webmaster about setting up accounts with the daytime presenters for the
Scratch Media website. This can also include the creation of their own Presenter Profiles.
• Will liaise with the Heads of Brand to ensure all presenters are trained in the use of station
imaging relevant to Daytime.
• Will ensure that all presenters have Myriad logins, passwords and permissions allocated to them
in relation to Daytime
• Will ensure that all training in relation to the station’s legal disclaimers are administered, and that
all paperwork regarding legal disclaimers and on air conduct have been signed and countersigned
before all presenters are allowed on air.
• Will arrange at least one presenter meeting per semester to regularly contact presenters and to
ensure that presenters on the schedule receive continued training and support.
• Will monitor the attendance and on air conduct of presenters on the schedule, and will liaise with
the Station Management Team to decide as and when presenters are to be taken off air to
receive refresher training.
• Will liaise with the Head of Marketing to ensure that all on air competitions are logged,
supported and promoted by all presenters and conducted in a fair and lawful way.
• Will liaise with the Station Management Team to ensure accurate contact details of all on air
presenters are regularly maintained
Specialist Programme Controller (Student Only)
When elected, the position holders will be briefed by the Station Management Team on how they
are to carry out and co-ordinate their duties to ensure that Specialist Programming is always being
maintained. Below are the General duties.
Together with the Heads of Music, they will be responsible for creating the station schedule based
on suitability of individuals for shows. They will be responsible for allocating Studio and Myriad
training for all registered Scratch Media members, where required, and for making sure that all
members have been suitably trained before being allowed on air.
• Will ensure the smooth running of the station with regards the day to day broadcasting schedule.
• Will regularly co-ordinate and update the broadcast schedule alongside the Heads of Music.
• Will make sure the updated schedule is submitted to the entire station, but specifically to the
Webmaster to keep the website updated.
• Will endeavour to synchronise the music policy with the Heads of Music so as to provide
programming appropriate to the day, audience and time, within the remit as specified in in any
licence application and the stations own branding guidelines.
• Along with the Station Management, be responsible for amending the output of the station
accordingly, should an issue occur that infers with an agreed schedule.
• Will ensure that backup programmes and reserve teams of presenters are trained up and are
always on hand in case of short notice amendments to the agreed schedule.
• Will regularly check content of presenter’s ‘personal carts’ on Myriad and remove content that is
not in keeping with station sound (eg bad quality recordings or tracks not within station
sound/brand).
• Will liaise with the Webmaster about setting up accounts with the presenters for the Scratch
Media website. This can also include the creation of their own Presenter Profiles.
• Will liaise with the Heads of Brand to ensure all presenters are trained in the use of station
imaging relevant to Specialist Programming.
• Will liaise with Specialist presenters to ensure that back up playlists of the Genre(s) their shows
represent are scheduled on Myriad before being allowed on air.
• Will ensure that all presenters have Myriad logins, passwords and permissions allocated to them
in relation to Daytime or Niche Programming.
• Will ensure that all training in relation to the station’s legal disclaimers are administered, and that
all paperwork regarding legal disclaimers and on air conduct have been signed and countersigned
before all presenters are allowed on air.
• Will arrange at least one presenter meeting per semester and regularly contact presenters and to
ensure that presenters on the schedule receive continued training and support.
• Will monitor the attendance and on air conduct of presenters on the schedule, and will liaise with
the Station Management Team to decide as and when presenters are to be taken off air to
receive refresher training.
• Will liaise with the Head of Marketing to ensure that all on air competitions are logged,
supported and promoted by all presenters and conducted in a fair and lawful way
• Will liaise with the Station Management Team to ensure accurate contact details of all on air
presenters are regularly maintained
Head of Music (Student Only)
 Working with promotional companies, record labels and up-and-coming artists to source new and
popular tracks and responsible for the managing of the daytime playlist.
• Must create a new playlist every two weeks, suitable to the station sound. This can be discussed
with Management and the Head of Station Sound. The playlist must be uploaded and edited on
Myriad and then scheduled ready for the next two weeks. To stay on top of the latest music,
weekly updates can be seen as a necessity.
• Will be responsible to regularly check Specialist presenter’s personal carts and to liaise with
Specialist Presenters for suitable Daytime music.
• Responsible to keep up (and generate new) correspondence with promotional companies for
sourcing music, both signed and unsigned.
• Will be responsible for organising festival/press pass coverage. This includes co-ordinating the
application for accreditation to suitable festivals/press pass and fairly distributing any
festival/press passes amongst appropriate station members.
• Will arrange regular ‘music team meetings’ with members, ensuring there is at least one every
two weeks during term time, to ascertain suitable tracks for consideration or inclusion on the
daytime playlist and the track of the week, in keeping with the station’s target daytime audience
of BCU Students and the local community
• Ensure the playlist is uploaded to the website every two weeks
• Maintain the weekly Music Reviews Shows, alternating guests each week
• Both job descriptions for Head of Music and Deputy Head of Music are to be reviewed in regards
to which of them takes on certain aspects of the roles
Deputy Head of Music (Student Only)
The Deputy Head of Music will work closely with the Head of Music in fulfilling the playlist. The
Deputy Head is responsible for sorting out the new music that is sent directly to Scratch, and then
deciding to either pass it on to Specialist presenters or not.
• Responsible to liaise with the Head of Music and discuss the fortnightly playlists.
• Responsible for keeping updated with new music that is sent to Scratch via email or post. If the
music is good enough then it can be passed onto relevant presenters, which can then decide
whether they want to play it.
• Will arrange regular ‘music team meetings’ with members, ensuring there is at least one every
two weeks during term time, to ascertain suitable tracks for consideration or inclusion on the
daytime playlist and the track of the week, in keeping with the station’s target daytime audience
of BCU Students and the local community.
• To take on the role Head of Music, if any task is needed to be done, that the Head of Music
couldn’t fulfill with a good enough reason. They should report to management if they feel they
are doing too much of the Head of Music’s role.
• Maintain the weekly Music Reviews Shows, alternating guests each week
• Both job descriptions for Head of Music and Deputy Head of Music are to be reviewed in regards
to which of them takes on certain aspects of the roles
Head of Producers (Student Only)
The Head of Producers role is to make sure that every show has a producer, and if a regular producer
can’t do a show then they will sort out cover. They will also be responsible for making sure that each
producer knows how to produce a show, use the studio, and work Myriad.
• Responsible for making sure that every show has an allocated producer.
• Responsible for training people so that they can become producers, this includes how to use the
studio, and work Myriad.
• They must be able to find replacements for any producer who may not be able to do cover for
any particular show.
• Liaise with programme controllers to ensure a consistent schedule or presenters/producers.
• Must review the work of each Producer, so that each Producer can remain working at their best
capabilities. This could also mean talking to the presenters to make sure that the producers are
doing their job well.
• If the Head of Producers finds people outside the committee to produce then the Head must
train them and evaluate them before reporting to Management, who will then ultimately decide
on whether the person can go ahead and be a producer.
• Evaluate assistant producers as to when they can be promoted to a producer
• Ensure that all producers know the specified training procedures to correctly train assistant
producers
Webmaster (Student Only)
Responsible for the up keep of the station’s website and other online platforms
• Is responsible for managing a functional and up-to-date website that reflects the position of the
station, whilst being in line with Student’s Union and station brand.
• Will be responsible for the content and development of the website, including an up to date
schedule and presenter profiles, subject to the approval of the Station Management, Head of
Brand and the Media Groups Coordinator.
• Is responsible for maintaining our online broadcast.
• Work closely with the Programme Controllers and Heads of Music to provide accurate data to the
Media Groups Coordinator when supporting the station’s quarterly PPL report.
News Editor (Student Only)
Responsible for the delivery of all news content for the station
• Is responsible for the coverage of Students’ Union, BCU, West Midlands community events, news
and issues.
• Is responsible for constructing a team to help research and produce online and broadcast news
content for the station, and for all news programming in the schedule.
• Will be responsible for creating a rota of newsreaders on a daily basis for news bulletins as
agreed by the Programme Controllers.
• Will encourage a wide range of news and ensure informative programming is delivered.
• Will liaise closely with the Head of Crew and Events and Sports Editors, to co-ordinate events
coverage within the Student Union’s sports clubs and societies, and within the West Midlands.
• Will ensure the training of all News Reporters, including interviewing techniques.
• Must ensure members of the team or themselves are posting news stories of interest to the
Scratch Media website.
Sports Editor (Student Only)
 Responsible for the delivery of all sport content for the station
• Is responsible for developing a team to help research and produce sport content for the station,
both within BCU and the West Midlands.
• Will be responsible for creating a rota of sports reporters and readers on a regular basis for the
making of bulletins as agreed by the Programme Controllers.
• Will encourage a wide range of different sports that are covered within BCU and the West
Midlands and will work closely with the School of Media in getting team members.
• Will liaise closely with the Head of Events and News Editor to co-ordinate events coverage within
the Union’s Sports clubs and societies, and within the West Midlands.
• Will ensure the training of all Sports Reporters, including interviewing/reporting techniques.
• Will be responsible for creating a team to help provide the sport coverage. The Sports Editor can
then pass off various responsibilities, where they and management see fit.
• Maintain at least one show on Scratch each week that is sport based
Head of Crew and Events (Student Only)
• Responsible for the delivery of all relevant events coverage within BCU and the West Midlands.
• Responsible for recruiting and managing the Scratch Crew, the street team who are the face of
the station. The Crew are the first point of contact between our listeners and the station at
events on campus and to arrange fundraising events for the station.
• Will liaise with the News and Sports Editors to co-ordinate coverage for relevant events.
• Will be responsible for booking the Crew for station and Union events.
• Will organise Scratch events that promotes the station brand and assists with station fundraising
activities.
• Will organise events around the different campuses at BCU to raise station awareness.
• Liaise with the Heads of Brand to make sure Crew members are trained in the use of station
branding.
Head of Marketing (Student Only)
Responsible both for publicising Scratch to a wider audience (in conjunction with the Head of Brand
and Head of Crew & Events) and attracting societies within the Student’s Union, alongside external
companies with a student market, to advertise on Scratch Radio. Responsible for ensuring the
successful process of any competition on the station.
• Will aspire to get as many societies and external companies to advertise on Scratch.
Communication must be maintained with the Heads of Brand, Station Manager and Media
Groups Coordinator at all times to ensure that the process is being handled correctly and that all
parties are content.
• Will work closely with other areas of the station when a competition is being run to ensure that
everything is in place and that a successful outcome can be reached.
• In relation to commercial clients, any outgoing expenditure MUST be agreed with the Station
Manager and Media Groups Coordinator. Any incoming funds MUST be declared to the Station
Manager and the Student’s Union.
• Oversee the running of all social media and the content that is uploaded is appropriate
Radio Broadcast Assistant – (2x Student & 1x Community/Alumni)
• Responsible for actively assisting in areas of the station, as agreed with the Station Management
Team and relevant department head, and ensuring such position is executed satisfactorily at all
times.
The groups that are to be represented fairly are:
• Student - Presently at BCU
• Community/Alumni – (Not a current BCU Student.)
All positions are open to anyone eligible who wishes to stand for them. Birmingham City University,
Birmingham City University Students’ Union and the Station Management Team reserves the right to
address under representation from either the community or students, with regards the fulfilling of
these positions
ALL POSITION JOB DESCRIPTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.