NPR and its member stations are creating an innovative system of regional news hubs designed to reshape the journalism landscape — and we’re building one of the first hubs in the Gulf states.
Public radio stations in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi have partnered with NPR to launch the Gulf States Newsroom. Our goal is to plan coverage together, share resources and add reporting in parts of the region where local news outlets are folding. To do this, we are hiring a team of regional beat reporters.
We are looking for an experienced reporter to travel across the Gulf States region to cover economic development in a rapidly changing landscape. The reporter will cover trends and patterns in the three states, where steady economic growth is uneven at best, and will cover communities that are emblematic of the economic divide. That may include the rural county where jobs have disappeared, the neighborhood trying to address food deserts, the city trying its best to land a big new employer, or the workforce training program that’s making a difference and might hold lessons for another place. And this reporter will examine the devastating financial effects of a pandemic that’s only widened pre-existing gaps in wealth.
The economic development reporter will be based at WBHM in Birmingham and will report to the managing editor of the Gulf States Newsroom. The reporter will also work closely with news directors at WBHM, MPB in Jackson, MS, and WWNO in New Orleans. These are the three partner stations. This is a 3-year, grant-funded position. The Hub intends to raise funds to sustain the position beyond that period.
Salary: $40,000-52,000
Responsibilities:
- Pitch, plan and report news, feature and enterprise stories for all platforms, including broadcast, digital and social media.
- Gather materials on tape and otherwise, through interviews, press conferences and direct coverage of events.
- Collaborate with editors and show staff to shape on-air two-way discussions; speak fluently and conversationally live on the air.
- Build web stories, including writing them and making photos and/or videos.
- Develop a robust network of sources that reflect the diversity of the region.
- Cover stories as assigned by the Gulf States Newsroom Managing Editor.
- Collaborate with editors and reporters at partner stations.
- Ensure that all work meets NPR News and station standards for accuracy, fairness, honesty and impartiality.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Required Skills:
- At least 2 years of reporting experience
- Demonstrated ability to develop, report and write stories of interest to a regional audience.
- Ability to work quickly under deadline pressure and to report breaking stories for newscasts, shows and digital.
- Ability and willingness to travel to report stories across the Gulf region.
- Familiarity with the public media system.
- Proven ability to work well with others, demonstrating respect for diverse constituencies within the public radio system.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience producing pieces, on-air conversations and live reports for radio, digital and social audiences.
- Experience covering economic development issues
- Familiarity with the Gulf States region
- Ability to speak a language besides English.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All applications must include a resume and cover letter to be considered. APPLY TODAY.