2024 Elections Editorial Assistant

National Public Radio
  • Location
    Washington, D.C.
  • Sector
    Non Profit
  • Experience
    Early Career
  • Posted
    Aug 28

Position description

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.

NPR’s award-winning Washington Desk produces sophisticated yet accessible coverage of the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, National Security, and the Department of Justice as well as electoral politics. Our focus is on the nexus of policy, politics and culture. We draw connections between the places political leaders come from, the people they represent and the policies they embrace. We consider the role of cultural and demographic change as we aim to illuminate governance and politics. Fact-checking and explanatory journalism are vital to our mission as well as breaking news and ideas with clarity and context. Known for our work ethic, the Washington Desk aspires to great storytelling both on air and online. Our coverage is featured on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, NPR.org, the NPR Politics Podcast and UpFirst. 

The elections researcher will conduct a variety of tasks to support editorial staff on the Washington Desk and colleagues throughout the newsroom working collaboratively to cover the 2024 campaign. The successful candidate is someone who is rigorous, adaptable, interested in politics, can find facts and figures fast, is exceptionally organized and enjoys successfully juggling varied tasks.

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

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conducts research on candidates, policy, demographics and political trends using internal and external reference services.

  • Produces briefing books for the newsroom on major political events throughout the 2024 campaign, including primaries, conventions and election night. 

  • Compiles information in databases to assist with reporting projects. 

  • Assists reporters in finding/vetting sources and subjects for stories, including booking and recording interviews.

  • Researches and books guests for special coverage of political events. 

  • Logs and organizes audio files. 

  • Stays current with major political stories and suggests story ideas.

  • Maintains files of useful experts and other resources for editors, producers, program hosts and other staff.

  • Fact checks podcasts, radio reports and digital stories. 

  • Contributes to live blogs and files Newscast spots 

  • Assists in administrative work for the elections team.  

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.

Qualifications

  • Minimum two years’ journalism-related research with ability to collect, organize and disseminate information.

  • Strong communication skills.

  • Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.

  • Ability to both work independently and collaborate with others.

  • 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.

  • Demonstrated ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.

  • Ability to work varied shifts including weekends.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Radio experience.

  • Experience with a CMS and broadcast digital audio workstations.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience.

WORK LOCATION

This is an on-site role based in Washington, DC .

JOB TYPE

This is a temporary (14-month) full time position.

COMPENSATION

Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is ($31.25-$31.25) per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and 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. 

Application instructions

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