Coastal Reporter-Producer

Oregon Public Broadcasting; Salem (OR); Remote; USD 41,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Second language premiums

Job summary

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is seeking a full-time reporter-producer to cover coastal Oregon, delivering stories for radio and digital platforms with depth and accuracy.

The Coastal Reporter-Producer will report breaking and enterprise stories, gather sound, video, and photos, and collaborate with OPB’s social media team while meeting daily deadlines in a remote-friendly environment. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or equivalent experience.
• 3 years of full-time professional journalism experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining a beat and sources.
• Ability to work independently in a remote location and with editors.

Responsibilities

• Report, write and produce breaking and enterprise stories across platforms focused on coastal Oregon.
• Schedule and conduct interviews, plan coverage, and edit material for audio/video/digital formats.
• Appear on local programs and podcasts; support engagement with diverse voices.
• Participate in fundraising and outreach; contribute to national news reports as needed.

Skills

Beat development

Source development

Writing & interviewing

Multimedia storytelling

Independent remote work

Ethical reporting

Live reporting

Public engagement

Adaptability to tools

Social media collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism

Tools

Digital audio tools

Photography/Video

Job description

The OpportunityOPB is continuing its commitment to rural journalism in Oregon and seeks an experienced full-time reporter to cover the fascinating and story-rich Oregon Coast. This region is one of Oregon’s most historically, ecologically, and economically interesting in the state, and the selected candidate must come with an appetite to dive deep into the untold stories of the area and the people who call it home. The influential zone between Astoria and Newport is often overlooked by larger media outlets, and OPB hopes to serve the communities there with dedicated, full-time coverage. The selected candidate for this role must live in the coverage area (in Clatsop, Lincoln, or Tillamook county) or be willing to relocate there.

Position Summary

The Coastal Reporter-Producer covers breaking and daily news as well as longer-term feature stories about a wide spectrum of subjects for and from Coastal Oregon and its adjacent regions. The role involves reporting and researching, gathering sound, video, photos, writing for radio and digital platforms and collaborating with OPB’s social media team. The Reporter-Producer must meet daily deadlines, juggle multiple news priorities, collaborate with other reporters and staff across the organization, and sometimes appear on OPB’s social media platforms and as a guest on OPB’s radio programs. The work produced by this Reporter-Producer must meet OPB’s ethical, legal, and aesthetic standards. The Regional Managing Editor as well as the Regional Team Lead will coordinate and guide this Reporter/Producer’s work.

Responsibilities

• 80% - The reporter/producer reports, writes and produces breaking and enterprise news stories on multiple platforms, including audio, visual and digital, focused on coastal Oregon. Those other duties include scheduling and conducting interviews and planning future news coverage related to the beat, recording and editing material using digital audio tools, using social media for information gathering and engagement and taking photos.
• 10% - Participate in local news programming by appearing as a guest on shows like Morning Edition, “Think Out Loud” and All Things Considered and podcasts such as “OPB Politics Now” or being debriefed by an on-air host. Support efforts to include other local voices in OPB’s on-air programming.
• 5% - Other duties as assigned, including participating in fundraising and outreach functions.
• 5% - Produces reports for national news programs and newscasts, as assigned and with approval of supervising editor.

Working Conditions

Work environment: Remote. Field work required across numerous coastal communities and occasionally to other locations in Washington and Oregon, such as Portland. Non-traditional lodging is sometimes involved. Field work possible during inclement weather.

Schedule: This position typically works Monday through Friday though some weekend and evening work is required to cover news events.

Physical demands: Lifting and carrying equipment up to 10 pounds is sometimes required.

Travel: Regional and state travel required. National travel for professional development opportunities possible.

Driving: Valid Oregon or Washington driver’s license is required.

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position. 3 years equivalent full-time professional experience as a journalist.

Minimum Position Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience developing and maintaining a beat
• Ability to develop and maintain sources
• Strong writing, interviewing and organizational skills
• Familiarity with photography, audio, video and social media in the presentation of news stories
• Ability to work independently in a remote location, as well as work collaboratively with editors and reporters throughout the Northwest
• Commitment to high ethical standards in reporting
• Ability to file live reports and participate in breaking news
• Ability to be the face of OPB to coastal communities
• Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB
• Enthusiasm for the changing news production environment and the tools and software used to facilitate our work

Preferred Position Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience as a bureau reporter
• Experience using digital audio recording and editing equipment
• An eye for diverse voices and sources in stories
• Photography or video production skills
• A demonstrated interest in following stories over time
• Community engagement experience
• Bilingual in English and another language, such as Spanish or Russian, which includes the ability to fluently speak, read, and write in both languages.

Additional Information

This full time, regular status position reports to the Regional Managing Editor, and is benefits eligible. The rate for this non-exempt role is $36.09/hour. Premiums are available for second language skills and experience. This role is represented by SAG-AFTRA and pay rates are bargained with the union.

OPB is an equal opportunity employer.