Reporter – Southwest Colorado/Four Corners Region

Application Deadline: Friday, Apr 15, 2022

Description

BACKGROUND

This is a grant-funded, three-year, full-time public radio broadcast journalism position, based in southwest Colorado. Voices from the Edge of the Colorado Plateau project–funded by Colorado Media Project’s Community News Network–is a multi-year collaborative project led by KSJD News and KSJD Community Radio, in partnership with KSUT Tribal Radio and KSUT Four Corners Radio, to stretch both stations’ existing efforts to elevate underserved voices and perspectives in rural southwest Colorado.

Citizen-focused Enterprise Journalism

KSJD and KSUT, both NPR member stations, will enhance their existing staffing, infrastructure, and content by hiring a shared full-time reporter. The reporter’s beat for Voices from the Edge of the Colorado Plateau will focus on issues identified directly by citizens and organizations within the two tribes and five counties covered by the collaborating radio newsrooms. Current issues affecting marginalized voices include economic and social inequities for Native American populations; mental and physical health; and rural issues including agriculture, extractive industries, water and broadband access.

JOB SUMMARY

The reporter will find and report on marginalized voices in the Four Corners region, focusing on stories from Native, Indigenous, and Latinx communities. Coverage will take the form of features, spots and interviews. The ability to produce sound-rich radio stories is important, and an ability to adapt audio stories to web stories is preferred. The reporter will report to co-editors from KSJD and KSUT. The reporter is encouraged to seek out and pitch ideas, and work collaboratively with co-editors. Reporter’s work will air on KSJD Community Radio, KSUT Four Corners Radio, and KSUT Tribal Radio. It will also be published on each website. 

Life in the Four Corners

The reporter position also comes with incredible opportunities to experience all that Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners has to offer, whether while reporting in the field or exploring for fun. Hiking national parks in the summer, exploring archeological sites, and digging into the rich culture and history of the Four Corners, all within a quick drive from the studios at both KSJD and KSUT. The reporter would have the flexibility to live in any of the communities between the two stations. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Primary Responsibilities:

• Seek out, research, and pitch stories and news items from underrepresented populations, focusing on Native, Indigenous, and Latinx community members;
• Report, interview, and record sound in the field;
• Write and produce two to four sound-rich features or interviews per month, and three to five spots per week;
• Work with editors on each story;
• Prepare story elements for web posts;
• Take pictures in the field to accompany stories;
• Work with the project’s community-based advisory group to identify and gather stories;
• Track stories for content and source diversity; 
• Complete assignments and grant deliverables in a timely manner;
• Work with KSJD and KSUT staff to develop and implement audience impact surveys.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Attend regular meetings with editors to develop and adapt coverage strategy as needed. 
• Attend community outreach events when needed;
• Community News Network cohort meetings

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism and/or comparable journalism experience at a newspaper, digital outlet, or radio station.
• Demonstrated radio broadcast experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with southwest Colorado and has contacts within the groups whose voices and perspectives are often underrepresented and unappreciated, especially among Native American populations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation:  $37,000/year

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision, as well as an optional IRA and life insurance.  Employees contribute approximately 20% of medical benefits.

APPLICATION

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Primary consideration will be given to applicants who apply by Friday, April 15th, 2022. Position open until filled.  

To apply, please submit the following to voices@ksjd.org

1. A cover letter, that: 
   1. Demonstrates your drive for covering and giving voice to underrepresented communities, and 
   2. Answers the following question: How would you go about covering communities that have been traditionally underrepresented in the media?
2. Resume;
3. At least three professional references with phone and email contact information; and
4. Links to at least two radio or audio news stories, interviews, or podcasts you worked on, along with descriptions detailing your role in the piece. Links can be via Google Drive, personal website, publication website, et cetera. If you don’t have audio samples, please record a previously written news story or other announcements; this may be included as a separate document in your application materials.

For information about participating project partners, please visit:

www.ksjd.org; www.ksut.org; www.tribalradio.org 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND RACIAL EQUITY

KSUT and KSJD are equal opportunity employers. Both organizations are  dedicated to building a culturally diverse staff and creating a working environment that promotes racial equity and inclusiveness. We believe attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. Women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and veterans are highly encouraged to apply.

For additional information about this position, please contact: