Reporter I or Reporter II, (Community) MPR News

Your Role:

MPR News is launching a good news beat. The Community Reporter will play a vital role reporting for this important content initiative. Embedding in communities when and where they gather and telling their stories are our goals. The Community Journalist will be assigned to work a weekend shift and cover the events and happenings in a range of communities across Minnesota. The Community Reporter’s audio reports will air on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Minnesota Now and on podcasts, as well as on other broadcast opportunities that arise. In addition, the Community Reporter’s written stories will be published online and across digital platforms. The Community Reporter is curious and enterprising with sound news judgment. The Community Reporter will work with editors across the newsroom, producers and the digital team to maximize this content stream across all platforms, including social media and newsletters.

With good news being the focus of the beat, the Community Reporter will bring new perspectives to MPR News audiences that celebrate the rich tapestry of Minnesota communities. You will find ways to elevate conversations happening inside communities that are rural, city and suburban, as well as in small towns across the North Star state. You have the ability to capture the pulse of community conversations.

MPR News offers ongoing staff training. While you have an assigned shift, per the news cycle and staffing needs of a daily news organization, you may be assigned to work an early morning, night and/or weekend shift. A grant funds this one-year reporting position that begins summer 2022. There is a possibility this position may become a full-time staff position thereafter.

Compensation Range: $25.06 - $36.92/hour. Exact hourly rate determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure and internal equity.

Application Deadline: July 18, 2022

Position Responsibilities:

• Report stories for broadcast programs, as well as audio and digital platforms
• Possess solid news judgment and knowledge of Associated Press style
• Ability to write, edit and produce news briefs and long-form stories
• Develop sources in communities across Minnesota
• Work with editors, reporters, and digital and program teams to develop stories for optimal display online and on air
• Other duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

And Reporter I:

• Two or more years of reporting experience in a news media environment or similar industry

Reporter II:

• 3 years of reporting experience in a news media environment or similar industry

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to write for radio, broadcast and/or print and meet daily deadlines
• Experience with community-based reporting and/or working with a range of communities
• Self-starting team player with a willingness to learn new things
• Familiarity with social media and digital news production tools
• Openness to learn new software applications and to be trained to produce daily journalism on digital and audio platforms
• Ability to include context to issues in news stories, to integrate a range of perspectives in stories and to capture citizen priorities
• Possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as journalistic integrity
• Creative thinker and problem solver that connects communities to information gaps

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Passion for people and public media Knowledge of Spanish, Somali, Hmong or other popular languages used in Minnesota
• Proficiency with social media platforms
• Experience working with content management systems online

Reporting to this Position: None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to manage some work outside of standard office hours as needed.
• Physical Demands:
• Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time
• Required to move about in the community
• Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping
• Working Conditions:
• Moderate noise level


Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply.