Bureau Chief, Western Region

We are looking for a full-time editor to serve as the Western Bureau Chief for NPR, responsible for generating and editing news coverage and feature stories primarily from member station reporters and freelancers in that region of the country, as well as from NPR reporters, as assigned. In addition to being an editor, part of this role involves acting as a coach/trainer for member stations. This editor would be part of NPR’s National Desk and could also be asked to pick up some beat coverage editing. The ideal candidate is fluent in storytelling and editing for multiple platforms, including audio and digital. 

Ideally, this editor will be based in the Western U.S.

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Tracks ongoing flow of news, maintains contacts with news sources, keeps current with topics of interest to the desk and maintains files of future events and issues.
• Oversees preparation of on-air and online material and is responsible for editorial integrity and quality.
• Ensures that all material aired meets NPR program’s standards and practices, including standards of fairness, objectivity, balance, consistency and technical quality.
• Provides editorial guidance to member station and freelance reporters and others as assigned to ensure that they can properly organize and focus their stories.
• Listens to prepared stories, suggests changes that make pieces concise, coherent, comprehensive and interesting; similarly edits digital stories. Determines when a story is ready to forward to the National Desk.
• Maintains close communication with shows regarding placement, length and all other questions regarding stories. Works closely with the show producers on identifying the stories that work best for their needs.
• Works with station News Directors in providing feedback on specific station reporters and in helping accomplish goals for the reporter’s growth and development.
• Works with other staff reporters, hosts, producers and editors on stories from the region and advises on proper approach to stories, subjects to be discussed and treated, and individuals to be interviewed.
• Monitors progress of assigned stories to ensure that the stories are of the highest quality and that reasonable production schedules are maintained.
• Assists staff in establishing freelancer contacts and coordinating reporter’s schedules
• Organizes and produces material as required by NPR News.
• Cultivate, promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in one’s work and in the workplace.
• Demonstrated awareness of intersectional identities and ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.

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

• At least 6 years of experience as a news reporter or editor covering national stories, including work on:
• National affairs
• Regional politics and issues
• Daily news – including experience working on daily deadline
• Breaking news stories including live coverage
• Enterprise stories, including the generation of story ideas and the reporting, research and development of such stories
• Feature reports, including the development of topics and the organization and presentation of lengthy articles or programs
• Thorough knowledge of news-writing techniques. Considerable skill in feature and copy editing. Skill in oral presentation
• Demonstrated success in training and development of reporters
• Daily national network news experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough knowledge of broadcast and digital writing and audio production strongly preferred

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

WORK LOCATION

• Remote Permitted: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Culver City, CA office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.

JOB TYPE

• This is a full time, exempt position.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $120,000 -$136,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

Salary : $120,000 - $136,000