Production Assistant, Morning Edition

OVERVIEW

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Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro to Position

Application Deadline: Monday, August 18th at 5:00PM EST 

Millions of listeners depend on Morning Edition and Up First to set the news agenda that starts their day. We deliver the latest international and national news stories paired with analysis to help put those headlines in context. Morning Edition is also a platform for accountability through interviews with government officials and decision-makers who create or influence policies that affect people’s lives.  The show also features stories about music, movies and books that provoke thoughtful conversations about who we are in this world.

The right candidate for this position is committed to daily and breaking news and they believe in the mission of public media.

A Production Assistant at Morning Edition and Up First works various production roles under a tight deadline and in collaboration with a team of producers, editors, and hosts that bring a live, radio show to air including a podcast, a newsletter and digital stories every weekday.

A Production Assistant will be assigned to mix audio stories, isolate or pull soundbites, dub or record audio, cut down interviews, and assemble other various elements for the show or podcast. They may also be assigned to help reporters and guests call into the show for live and taped interviews. This includes gathering all contact information, making wake-up calls, and guiding guests and reporters through technical set-ups. A Production Assistant is trained to operate small recording studios for taping interviews with guests or recording narration with staff. Some editorial tasks that a Production Assistant may be assigned include writing show scripts or digital copy under the guidance of an editor.

Morning Edition and Up First is a 24/6 news operation. The schedule for this position rotates between multiple shifts, including but not limited to: weekends, overnights, early mornings, days, and late evenings. Broadcast news operations take place on holidays. On occasion, this person may be asked to temporarily change their schedule to cover other shifts or special reporting assignments.

This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA. 

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.    

Responsibilities

• Cuts, edits and mixes audio, including host interviews and reporter pieces
• Helps guests and journalists connect to the show for live or taped interviews
• Helps prepare scripts and other copy material with editorial oversight including show opens, intros, returns, tape and copy elements, interview briefs for hosts, billboards, and more
• Works under tight deadlines and reacts to breaking news
• Helps produce the Up First podcast with editorial and production assistance 
• Trains peers who are onboarding or learning new production skills
• Writes and produces radio and digital stories as assigned or pitched

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of experience working in a newsroom setting, which may include a college newspaper newsroom or at an internship.
• Ability to work various shifts, in person, on site at NPR’s Washington D.C. studios
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Experienc