The Opportunity: We are hiring for multiple regional positions as a part of OPB’s strategic plan to grow our statewide coverage and include new communities, new voices and new perspectives. OPB is growing and part of that is a commitment to continue and expand our work to be a trusted news leader throughout Oregon and SW Washington. For this role, OPB is seeking a versatile journalist to fill a new reporter/producer position in Southwest Washington.
Position Summary: The Southwest Washington reporter/producer covers breaking news and daily and longer-term feature stories for Oregon Public Broadcasting’s audiences from communities in southwestern Washington, including Vancouver and communities in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties.
The role involves reporting and researching, gathering sound and photos, writing for radio and digital platforms and collaborating with OPB’s social media team. The ideal candidate is a versatile writer/producer and a self-starter who is equally well-versed in beat reporting and breaking news, working on deadline and juggling multiple news priorities. The reporter must live and work in southwest Washington.
Working Conditions: Most work is primarily done Monday through Friday in an office, or home office, and some evening and weekend work should be expected. Frequent local or regional travel is required, with occasional visits to OPB’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 10 pounds is sometimes required.
Reports to: Regional Managing Editor, News
Responsibilities:
85% – This reporter/producer reports, writes and produces breaking and enterprise news stories on multiple platforms, including audio and digital. Their work focuses on communities in 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 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.Produce online and broadcast reports for national public media outlets as needed
Minimum Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.
- 3 years of professional journalism experience.
- Experience providing editorial direction and developing a story from idea to final product both as an editor and a reporter.
- Ability to recognize a wide range of stories appropriate for OPB across radio and digital platforms.
- Share OPB’s commitment to covering all the communities in our coverage areas reflecting a diverse range of people and perspectives in our content.
- Exceptional time management, organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work with digital audio workstations and office computer software.
- Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB and for the role of public media in a changing journalism environment.
- Must live and work in southwest Washington.
Preferred (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism.
- Experience using digital audio recording and editing equipment
- Experience editing reporters for radio or web.
- Experience reporting or editing in a bureau or remote environment.
- Bilingual in English and another language, preferably one spoken in communities in the Pacific Northwest (for example, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Russian).
- A voracious news consumer with a passion for journalism.
- Knowledge of major stories and issues in the Northwest.
Additional information
This role is full time, benefits eligible, and represented by SAG-AFTRA
The probable hiring range for this non exempt position is between $33.70 – $37.50 hourly, which is equivalent to $70,000 – $78,000 annually, depending on qualifications.
To apply
URL Media is leading the search for this position. Please submit your cover letter and resume to be considered, and email talent@url-media.com with any questions or nominations.
In your cover letter, please address the following question: What would you identify as the most important topics or issues in this region, and how has your experience prepared you to report on them?
