News Producer/Editor (17024)

Summary/Objective

The News Producer/Editor is the force “behind the scenes” of one of WAMU’s signature drive time programs, as well as a key producer of our digital content on WAMU.org, NPR.org, and NPR One. The News Producer/Editor monitors multiple news sources, writes and produces news segments, and books guests on tight deadlines for Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

The News Producer/Editor is responsible for identifying and conveying critical updates to the audience, determining whether and how a news item should be conveyed on air.

The person in this role works with the Senior Producer, Morning Edition Host, and All Things Considered Producer to identify and prepare stories from the reporting staff for the local news lineup. He or she is responsible for ensuring the newscast reinforces WAMU’s regional news strategy and overall sound and style and reflects the diversity of our region. The News Producer/Editor ensures that content translates across all day parts and platforms where WAMU local news content is consumed, including NPR One and smart speakers.

This position is also responsible for the presentation of features, two- ways, and other stories on WAMU.org, regularly producing stories that are optimized for search and social and consistent with WAMU’s editorial style. The News Producer/Editor will also work with the Audience Engagement team to publish stories directly to NPR.org and on other efforts to share our journalism with as wide of an audience as possible.

The News Producer/Editor is a reliable content coordinator but also an idea generator: listening constantly, testing frequently, and always seeking better ways to present news content in a compelling, audience-focused, and memorable way. They work an early morning schedule: 4:30am - 12:30pm

Essential Functions

1. Edits, writes, reports, assigns and produces local daily news stories for broadcast and online use. Ensures that daily newscasts contain a robust digest of news and headlines from around the region, as well as news spots. Monitors multiple news sources, transportation alerts, and weather alerts for information that must be conveyed to the WAMU audience.
2. Generates and develops creative ideas for segments, two-ways, and other on-air elements; researches topics and conducts interviews to develop and execute these ideas.
3. Produces and optimizes existing content for a variety of digital platforms, including WAMU.org, NPR.org and NPR One.
4. While on air, monitors the show clock, and troubleshoots technical difficulties and breaking news circumstances; maintains emergency contact list.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full time
• Sr. Coordinator/Analyst A
• Exempt
• This position is covered by SAG-AFTRA” in position type

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (Degree in journalism or related field, or equivalent experience)
• 3-5 years of relevant experience (doing relevant work in a newsroom environment)

Preferred Education and Experience

• 5-8 years of relevant experience

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• 1-5 years experience producing and editing content in a fast-paced deadline-driven broadcast environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong news judgment, and an ability to make good decisions quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to generate fresh story angles, and willingness to experiment with new show approaches.
• Superior organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience producing digital content
• A strong appetite for daily local news coverage.
• Knowledge of and a commitment to the mission of public radio journalism.

Benefits

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