Overnight Producer I, Newscast

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

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

Do you want to distill NPR’s compelling news and storytelling down to its essence? Come join NPR’s Newscast Unit, where we produce the best of NPR in five minutes. Newscasts are NPR’s most listened to news product, with 21 million weekly radio listeners and millions more on podcasts, smart speakers and other platforms.

The ideal candidate should have a background in audio news journalism, line producing and broadcast leadership. This person can stack newscasts, spot a developing story, evaluate pitches, and step in to edit and mix spots on a tight deadline. This candidate should have familiarity with NPR’s on-air and on-demand news coverage, a genuine curiosity about news and a passion for a wide variety of topics.

This producer position is an overnight role (typically 8:30p-4:30a) from Thursday to Sunday, with a four-day per week full time schedule.

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

• Stacks a newscast every hour in coordination with the overnight anchors and team.
• Manages the flow of news and assignments and supervises preparation of news copy, spots and tape for newscasters.
• Coordinates with NPR desks, NPR member stations and freelance reporters to ensure coverage of breaking and long-term news stories, including accepting or declining story pitches.
• Tracks ongoing flow of news and consistently pitches timely, news-focused and well-thought-out stories, with an eye to audience relevance.
• Jointly responsible with the anchors for the proper execution of all newscasts, including collaborating with IT, Operations and Engineering staff to support technical production standards.
• Organizes and disseminates information to coordinate both daily and future coverage across shifts.
• Process audio for NPR Newscasts from news conferences, government hearings, NPR magazine shows and other sources.  
• Also edit and prepare audio for newscasts from NPR correspondents, member-station reporters and freelance journalists.  

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 3 to 5 years network or member station broadcast producing experience focusing on news.
• Proficiency in basic and advanced principles of news audio production.
• Demonstrated editorial judgment, writing and editing experience required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the news landscape. Familiarity with a range of subjects such as politics, world news, business, science and the arts.
• Excellent planning skills and the ability to work under pressure at a fast pace.
• Experience maintaining high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of objectivity, balance and fairness.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with others on team, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR, within the public radio system and in our audience.

SKILLS

• Expertise in producing under breaking news conditions.
• Daily news leadership experience.
• Digital audio editing proficiency is a must.
• Experience with MTE and Nexus preferred. A vast majority of work in our unit is done on these platforms.

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