Job description
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
In each episode, host Manoush Zomorodi takes listeners on a narrative journey of big ideas through a series of TED Talks and original interviews. We explore how great thinkers can uniquely help us answer the biggest questions of our time, leading with curiosity, diligence and a growth mindset. The ideal candidate will share our enthusiasm for explanatory journalism, science communication, narrative storytelling, as well as our spirit of inquiry and inspiration that TED Radio Hour listeners have come to love. They will seek the stories that help audiences “learn more about the world, our communities and ourselves” and answer the ultimate question: “What makes us human?”
TED Radio Hour is a highly-produced weekly narrative podcast. Each episode inspires and compels listeners to think about the world differently through a multitude of stories, voices, and perspectives. The Production Assistant position can be a remote position, but candidates will be expected to travel occasionally to Washington D.C. This role will report to the Senior Supervising Producer of TED Radio Hour.
This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
The anticipated start date for the Temporary Producer I, TED Radio Hour opportunity is September 2025. The hiring manager will determine the exact start date in collaboration with the finalist candidate.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Record, mix and edit complex, multi-track audio stories with minimal supervision
- Take a story or episode assignment and see it through the process, working with the hosts to report, book guests, cut tape, write scripts, score, sound design and join in edits and final production, with minimal supervision
- Manage complex production assignments on a tight weekly deadline
- Contribute story and guest ideas for hosts
- Contribute to social media, digital production and other aspects of podcast episodes
- Ensure that all content complies with NPR’s standards for accuracy and fairness
- Assist with managing and producing final mix of programs for all platforms (radio, podcast, digital)
- Assist with creating and maintaining team workflow processes
- Mentors junior producers in peer edits involving scoring and sound design
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 four years of experience producing on Dalet, ProTools, Adobe Audition or similar broadcast digital audio workstations.
- At least four years of experience in podcasting or broadcasting.
- Demonstrated expertise in, passion and curiosity for covering a wide range of topics.
- Demonstrated subject matter expertise on issues and stories involving explanatory journalism, human behavior, or science communication.
- Excellence in analysis, criticism, and in news judgment.
- Excellent production skills, specifically in developing narrative arc, scoring, and sound design
- Proven ability to contribute and create and produce original ideas for long-form narrative stories.
- Demonstrated ability to support program hosts in scheduling guests, recording, interviews, field production, script writing, story structure, scoring, sound design and other production needs.
- Demonstrated experience in producing weekly radio programs and segments, writing host copy.
- Demonstrated, up-to-date understanding of digital concepts and best practices, including writing for the web and social media.
- Ability to handle more than one assignment at a time; ability to prioritize, anticipate and communicate effectively.
- Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in work experience.
WORK LOCATION
- Remote Permitted: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, DC office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.
JOB TYPE
- This is a temporary (6-month) full time position.
COMPENSATION
Salary: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $97,500 per hour. The rate displayed reflects the maximum hourly rate 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.
The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.
NPR Pay Range
$97,500—$97,500 USD
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.
If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to [email protected].
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