Producer, Minnesota Public Radio – Climate Cast

American Public Media - Minnesota Public Radio
St. Paul , MN

Application Deadline: Sunday, Oct 15, 2017

Description

Position Summary: 

Are you an energetic, passionate journalist producer interested in the environment and the issue of climate change?  You might be Minnesota Public Radio News’ next producer working with Meteorologist Paul Huttner and MPR News staff to create the next version of Climate Cast, an acclaimed program on the pressing issue of climate change. As the Producer for Climate Cast at MPR News, you’ll be responsible for the overall planning, production and execution of this weekly news segment/ program aimed at providing timely and in-depth enterprise coverage of this complex and urgent issue.  Special focus in Climate Cast will be the intersection of climate change and water resources.

You will also create content for and support the editorial of MPR News digital properties, includingMPRnews.orgTheWaterMain.org, news apps, and social media channels.

Climate Cast has established itself as an important public conversation on the facts of climate change. This is an opportunity to build on the work to date to create a vibrant, consistent weekly program that may be developed for national audiences.

This a grant-funded 24-month position.  

Application deadline:  October 15th, 2017 

Position Responsibility:

  • Make sure all aspects of the program’s production are successfully completed.
  • Ultimately responsible for sound, manages production process, oversees music/tone, is the “final ear.”
  • Develop a strong collaborative relationship with the show host.
  • Supervise editing and post production. Oversee the work of the production staff and provide daily work direction.
  • Coordinate special projects (remote/specials).
  • In collaboration with Host, and Executive Producer, make content and editorial decisions.
  • Prepare digital audio for digital platforms.
  • Help manage MPR News social media channels.
  • Ensure that each day’s program contains the latest news that is relevant to our audience.
  • Communicate and oversee the big picture.
  • Generate program ideas.
  • Contact and pre-interview potential guests.
  • Write copy and background materials.
  • Record and edit audio material.
  • Direct the program in the studio.
  • Represent the program in editorial meetings.
  • Work with editors to fulfill daily news coverage needs.
  • Organize the show elements into a computer-based rundown for use by program host and broadcast technicians.
  • Update pages on the MPR web site.
  • Support other MPR news programs and special programming as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience is required.
  • 5+ years of related broadcast Journalism work experience.
  • Experience in radio news production, particularly news magazine programs and special programming.
  • Experience in news gathering and writing.
  • Experience writing for web based platforms.
  • Familiarity with social media platforms.
  • Familiarity with pressing issues of climate change
  • Experience with innovation with digital and broadcast story telling 

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: 

  • Ability to recognize and articulate the questions our audience wants answered.
  • Ability to write creative, clear, accurate copy.
  • Ability to manage program calendar and work flow.
  • Demonstrated ability to work well under daily deadline pressure.
  • Must have solid story-telling credentials and good news judgment.
  • Ability to create memorable radio.
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with hosts and other staff.
  • High journalistic standards and a vision for the program. Ability to produce programs that meet MPR standards.
  • Team builder and team player.
  • Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high performance culture.
  • Ability to advocate for program/resources/staff.
  • Ability to lead and manage change.
  • Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with sound news judgment.
  • Ability to work with minimal direction.
  • Able to handle variety of complex projects, some of which may affect management decisions.
  • Ability to make final program decisions re: content/quality. 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

  • Experience in or knowledge of online journalism.
  • Digital audio editing experience.
  • Knowledge of public radio. 

Reporting To This Position:   None 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Physical Demands:
    • Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time
    • Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping
  • Working Conditions:
    • Moderate noise level
    • Occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For additional information about this position, please contact: