NPR and its member stations are creating an innovative system of regional news hubs designed to reshape the journalism landscape — and we’re building one of the first hubs in the Gulf states.
Public radio stations in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi are partnering with NPR to launch the Gulf States Regional News Hub. Our goal is to plan coverage together, share resources and add reporting in parts of the region where local news outlets are folding. To do this, we are hiring a team of regional beat reporters.
We are looking for an experienced reporter to travel across the Gulf States region to cover health care. The reporter will cover trends and patterns in the three states, including topics such as racial disparities in COVID-19 cases and treatments, differences in health outcomes in states that did and did not expand Medicaid, and economic and geographic factors that influence access to health care. We’re seeking a journalist who listens well, enjoys collaborating on projects with other journalists, and is intrigued by the intersection of policy, politics and health care.
The health care reporter will be based at WWNO in New Orleans, and will also work closely with MPB in Jackson, Mississippi, and WBHM in Birmingham, Alabama. These are the three partner stations in the Regional News Hub collaboration. This is a three-year, grant-funded position. The Hub intends to raise funds to sustain the position beyond that period.
Responsibilities:
- Pitch, plan and report news, feature and enterprise stories for all platforms, including broadcast, digital and social media.
- Gather materials on tape and otherwise, through interviews, press conferences and direct coverage of events.
- In consultation with editors and producers, organize, edit and produce pieces and news spots.
- Collaborate with editors and show staff to shape on-air two-way discussions; speak fluently and conversationally live on the air.
- Build web stories, including writing them and making photos and/or videos.
- Develop news sources.
- Cover stories as assigned by the Gulf States Regional News Hub Managing Editor.
- Collaborate with editors and reporters at Hub partner stations.
- Ensure that all work meets NPR News and station standards for accuracy, fairness, honesty and impartiality.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Required Skills:
- At least 2 years of reporting experience
- Demonstrated ability to develop, report and write stories of interest to a regional audience.
- Ability to work quickly under deadline pressure and to report breaking stories for newscasts, shows and digital.
- Ability and willingness to travel to report stories across the Gulf region.
- Familiarity with the public media system.
- Proven ability to work well with others, demonstrating respect for diverse constituencies within the public radio system.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience producing pieces, on-air conversations and live reports for radio, digital and social audiences.
- Experience with recording/editing using digital software.
- Experience covering health care issues
- Familiarity with the Gulf States region
Location: New Orleans
Salary: $40,000 - $50,000
To apply:
Include cover letter, resume, references, audio links and writing samples
Send to: patrick@wwno.org with subject line Gulf Hub Health Reporter Search
Date posted: Aug. 3, 2020
Closing date: Position will remain open until filled. To assure full consideration, applications should be received by Aug. 24, 2020.
All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to retirement status and without regard to an applicant’s having previously accused the UL System Board or any of its universities of unlawful discrimination. Retirement status shall not be considered in the hiring process by any University in the UL System.
The University of New Orleans is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.