Rural Communities Reporter/Producer
OPB
Bend
,
OR
Application Deadline: Monday, Feb 14, 2022
Description
This is a remote position based in eastern Oregon. There is preference for the reporter/producer to be based in Pendleton, Hermiston, John Day or Bend, however, we are open to other eastern or central Oregon locations. Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB’s careers page.
About OPB
OPB is a leader in public media, serving diverse communities of the Northwest with fact-based, in-depth news and information about politics, the environment, science, arts, history, and cultures; business, education and more. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB seeks out a variety of voices in our communities and lifts up authentic stories of the people, places, events and issues of the region, providing context and a deeper understanding. OPB’s independent journalism and programs are available at opb.org, on OPB Radio and OPB TV. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
The Opportunity
We’re hiring a Reporter/Producer to write enterprise and breaking news stories about the rural communities of eastern Oregon. In this position you’ll write 3 features a month and 1-2 short form stories. There is potential to cover a variety of topics such as law enforcement and criminal justice; as well as health care and changing demographics. The focus areas of news coverage will be developed with your input. This is an exciting opportunity to provide objective reporting on a western region of the USA that has not been sufficiently covered in news media. There are intriguing stories waiting to be told that encompass the diversity of eastern Oregon, in this position you can bring those narratives to life and give a voice to those communities.
Position Details
The rural communities reporter/producer creates daily news stories and features for OPB that appear on multiple platforms and news magazines, podcasts and talk show. The reporter consistently meets daily deadlines as well as the organization’s ethical, technical, legal and aesthetic standards. This involves reporting and researching, gathering sound and photos and writing for radio and digital platforms. The bulk of this reporter’s newsgathering efforts will focus on news and issues in rural parts of Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Responsibilities
- 85% – This reporter/producer reports, writes and produces breaking and enterprise news stories on multiple platforms, including audio and digital. The bulk of their work focuses on rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This includes scheduling and conducting interviews and planning future news coverage related to the beat, recording and editing materials using digital audio tools, using social media for information gathering and engagement, taking photos and using OPB content management tools.
- 10% – Participate in local news programming by appearing as a guest on shows like Morning Edition, “Think Out Loud®” and All Things Considered and podcasts such as “OPB Politics Now” or being debriefed by an on-air host. Support efforts to include more coverage of rural Oregon and Southwest Washington by suggesting guests and topics in OPB’s on-air programming.
- 5% – Other duties as assigned, including.
- Represent OPB in external functions, including fundraising activities and community engagement events in rural Oregon and Southwest Washington.
- Produce online and broadcast reports for national public media outlets as needed
Working Conditions
This reporter/producer will divide time between an office or home office and fieldwork as needed for newsgathering, which includes travel to remote locations, working evenings or weekends and possibly working in inclement weather. This position is based in Central or Eastern Oregon with regular travel around Oregon and Southwest Washington. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 10 pounds is sometimes required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.
- Three years equivalent full-time professional experience as a journalist.
- Experience developing and maintaining a beat.
- Ability to develop and maintain sources
- Ability to collaborate and innovate with others in the production/content teams to create the best possible stories
- Ability to work independently in a remote location, as well as work collaborate with editors and reporters throughout the Northwest.
- Strong writing and interviewing skills.
- A demonstrated interest in following stories over time.
- Familiarity with photography, audio, video and social media in the presentation of news stories.
- Ability to file live reports and participate in breaking news.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Commitment to high ethical standards for journalism.
- Adaptable, flexible, able to carry projects forward independently with appropriate direction and judgment.
- Must thrive in a fast-paced working environment, take initiative and balance multiple priorities with speed and accuracy.
- Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB and public media.
- Enthusiasm for the changing news production environment and the tools and software used to facilitate our work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using audio recording and editing equipment.
- Experience as a bureau reporter.
- Spanish language skills
- An eye for diverse voices and sources in stories.
- Photography or video production skills.
- Ability to shoot video and create other multimedia content for online distribution.
- Experience using social media tools to communicate with audience members.
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite software.
- Knowledge of issues relevant to the Northwest.
Additional Information
- This position reports to Managing Editor, and is benefits eligible
- The probable hiring range for this nonexempt position is between $29.30 and $34.15 per hour, depending on qualifications.
- This position requires a valid driver’s license and will requires consent to OPB conducting a driving record check. Employees will not be allowed to use a company or personal vehicle for work purposes without completion and satisfactory results of this check.
- Did you see that we are hiring a position similar to this role? Please visit OPB’s careers page to check out the Bend Reporter/Producer opportunity.
How to Apply
For application instructions, please visit OPB’s careers page. You will be asked to create an account, upload your cover letter and resume and answer a few position related questions. Once you click “submit” you cannot make changes to your application.
Your application materials are due by 8:59 PM Pacific Time on February 14, 2022.
OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.