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
NPR is looking for a smart, enthusiastic leader to guide our enterprise and high impact science coverage.
The Supervising Editor for Science will have a strong vision and a nuanced understanding of this vital beat. The successful candidate will challenge us as we strive for new, creative ways to report on this dynamic area of coverage. This person will be a key-member of the decision-making team on the science and health desk, comprised of more than 25 correspondents, editors and producers working across platforms – news magazines, newscasts, digital and podcasts.
The Supervising Editor for Science will also help to guide and support the desk’s larger multi platform digital efforts. The editor will have excellent news judgment, is flexible and will work collaboratively with reporters and editors on and off the science desk. This position will support staff to be forward thinking and relevant to our audiences, our newsroom and our partners. The Supervising Editor for Science will report to the Chief Science Editor.
This position is a six-month, full-time assignment based in Washington DC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- The Supervising Editor for Science oversees a team of reporters producing multiplatform coverage across a wide array of beats, including space, emerging technologies, brain science and animal biology.
- Partners with other science and health desk editors, NPR shows, Newscast, podcasts and digital editors to coordinate coverage on multiple platforms.
- Generates story ideas, reviews pitches and edits coverage. The editor will also help develop creative storytelling approaches and sources, and determine the best platform for the network’s news coverage, including making suggestions for interviews.
- Collaborates with desk’s deputies and chief science editor to set coverage priorities for beats and themes.
- Advocates on behalf of the science desk, including attending the network’s daily morning news meeting on a regular basis.
- Maintains highest-quality broadcast, text and multimedia standards.
- Effectively coaches reporting and production staff.
- Works with a minimum of supervision, even in complicated situations.
- Anticipates and responds to most programming needs, breaking news and in-depth features.
- Cultivate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
- Cultivate and support an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
- Supervise at least three direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.
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
- Ten years’ experience as a science daily news editor.
- 3 or more years of supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated ability to edit text and broadcast.
- Proven ability to lead journalists in pursuit of ambitious stories.
- Track record as a creative storyteller and editor across journalistic forms, and across a variety of media.
- An engaged journalist with solid news judgment and familiar with the 24-hour news cycle.
- Considerable skill in both news and enterprise editing.
- Excellence in written and oral communication skills.
- A teamwork mentality, flexibility, and a proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public media system.
- Strong grasp of journalistic ethics. Experience maintaining high journalistic standards including standards of objectivity, balance, accuracy and fairness.
- Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.
- Ability and willingness to work varied shifts, when necessary.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Five or more years broadcast editing, reporting or producing experience.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Ability to edit broadcast scripts
- Ability to edit digital/text-based stories
- Ability to research and edit photos, and obtain permissions
- Experience with content management systems
WORK LOCATION
Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the Washington, DC office at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.
JOB TYPE
This is a temporary (6-month) full time position.
COMPENSATION
Hourly Range: The U.S. based anticipated hourly range for this opportunity is $64.18 - $74.52 an hour plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly ranges 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.
#LI-Hybrid
Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers.
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.
