Producer/Director Public Affairs
PLEASE NOTE APPLICATIONS ONLY ACCEPTED VIA THE LINK HERE.
Producer/Director Public Affairs
Salary $56,305.60 - $85,342.40 Annually
Location Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA
Job Type Full-time
Job Number 27-01393
Agency 285 Iowa PBS
Opening Date 11/13/2026
Closing Date 12/6/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag #LI-DNP
Point of Contact humanresources@iowapbs.org
To Apply Complete the online application by clicking "Apply" above. Candidates are encouraged to attach a resume and cover letter to the online application.
Description Benefits Job Description This is a non-merit position . Candidates must follow the instructions in the “To Apply” section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.
Why Iowa PBS?
Join the driving force behind Iowa's statewide public broadcasting network! Iowa PBS is home to a dedicated team of approximately 100 full and part-time employees committed to delivering engaging local programs, comprehensive broadcast services, and impactful educational initiatives. Our mission is powered by our highly-qualified, diverse, and talented staff, who are key to our success. At Iowa PBS, we prioritize career development and foster a community that values each member as our most precious resource.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a creative, mission-driven Producer/Director to produce our statewide political coverage that includes the Iowa Press program, the state’s longest running weekly public affairs program. This job will include producing a number of our on-location political events. It may also involve producing musical and arts events, as well as helping support production of our high school sports programming.
Key Responsibilities:
Produce weekly discussions between state newsmakers, policy makers, and elected officials who are questioned by a panel of Iowa-based political reporters. You will make editorial decisions, book guests and reporters, and be responsible for all production details for the programs. Produce political debates during election cycles. This work includes coordinating with candidates and campaigns, as well as booking and leading the moderator and reporter team. Produce Iowa PBS’s coverage of the Condition of the State, Condition of the Judiciary and Condition of the Guard speeches. Produce, report, write, and edit short and long-form feature stories for various Iowa PBS programs, including our coverage of the Iowa State Fair. Work on additional Iowa PBS productions, which may include arts and special event programs like the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards and Terrace Hill Piano Competition and coverage of Iowa high school sports championships and college wrestling. Collaborate closely with production teams and provide direction to field and studio crews. Travel across the state and region; some nights and weekends required.
You’ll thrive in this role if you are:
Comfortable working with politicians, newsmakers, policymakers, subject-matter experts, and members of the public. Able to work under deadlines that include booking guests for a weekly politics-based news/interview program. Experienced in covering sporting events, including working with statistics. Familiar with producing television and media coverage of major awards, political events, or musical and arts performances. A strong writer and storyteller with a passion for politics, current events, sports, music and public-service journalism. Committed to upholding journalistic standards and editorial integrity. Curious, self-directed, and comfortable learning new technical and subject-matter skills. Organized and able to manage multiple programs, stories and production timelines. Skilled in non-linear editing systems, or able to direct others using them.
Benefits:
Joining the Iowa PBS team and becoming a State of Iowa employee comes with a range of valuable benefits, including:
Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance. Generous paid time off, including nine paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with no cap on the sick leave accrual. Prepare for the future with the IPERS retirement package, as well as an additional optional deferred compensation retirement plan. Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care. Free Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage. Employee Assistance Programs and Discount Programs for support. Click here to learn more about all of the amazing benefits the State of Iowa offers.
Join Us!
At Iowa PBS, you'll have the chance to shape the future of our programming and production while working with a passionate and talented team. If you are enthusiastic about public broadcasting and have the expertise to lead our programming and production efforts, we invite you to apply. Help us create inspiring content that makes a difference in the lives of Iowans.
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visitwww.e-verify.gov.
Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Seven years of full-time professional level experience in broadcast design, commercial art, or multimedia production. 2) All of the following (a and b): a. Three years of full-time work experience in broadcast design, commercial art, or multimedia production; and b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in broadcast journalism, mass communications, multimedia, or film equals one year of full-time experience. 3) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in broadcast journalism, mass communications, multimedia, or film, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in professional-level video production. 4) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. One year of full-time work experience in broadcast design, commercial art, or multimedia production; and b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in broadcast journalism, mass communications, multimedia, or film equals one year of full-time experience; and c A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in broadcast journalism, mass communications, multimedia, or film equals one year of full-time experience.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)