News Host/Arts & Culture Reporter

Job Description

North Country Public Radio is seeking a creative, ambitious, and talented journalist to join our award-winning, nationally recognized news team. You’ll be based at NCPR’s headquarters in the St. Lawrence Valley, in Canton, New York. You’ll be part of a hardworking news team in a geographically diverse region. We live close to the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands, the Adirondack mountains (America’s largest state park), the Fort Drum Army base, and the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation. We’re also close to the vibrant and diverse Canadian cities of Ottawa and Montreal.
 
NCPR covers critical issues facing our communities, including criminal justice and prison reform, policing, border and immigration, economic development, rural health care, agriculture, climate change, native issues, and much more.
 
We tell the stories of the people who live in our region in eye- and ear-catching ways, challenging our assumptions and nurturing our curiosity. We dig deep and seek out the voices of people who may be overlooked from a range of diverse backgrounds.
 
We’re looking for an engaging, knowledgeable news co-host to anchor our flagship, award-winning regional news magazine, Northern Light, someone who will become a daily, trusted voice and personality.
 
Northern Light’s audience is among the biggest of any half-hour on NCPR. It is appointment listening for thousands of people across our vast, mostly rural region and helps to set the news agenda for those who live and work here. The show is a particularly important showcase for local arts and culture organizations to discuss their works and events. The co-host will help build the show, conducting interviews on the issues of the day, and artfully weave together stories from our reporters across the region, statewide contributors, and wire services to tell the story of the North Country.
 
As an arts & culture reporter, you will also research, write, and produce great feature stories, travelling across the region, spotting trends, and introducing the audience to the artists and creatives who make our region unique. You will also collaborate with the rest of the news team on special projects and enterprise journalism. The general hours of the position are 7am - 3pm, although news and interviews can change that.
 
Annual Salary $58,549.
 
Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Produce multiplatform content on a regular basis including broadcast news spots, sound-rich features and digital stories and build outs, including social media.
• Pitch story ideas and be responsible for coverage of the reporter’s assigned region or specialty.
• Gather audio in the field or remotely, covering news events and conducting interviews. 
   

In coordination with (or in the absence of) the co-host, manage and produce “Northern Light,” NCPR’s signature news program, including:

• Anchoring the program
• Content curation
• “Show stacking” – determining the order, length, and continuity between segments of the show.
• Representing “Northern Light” and NCPR at public events
• Exhibit solid news judgment and the ability to perform without supervision, multitask, work under deadline pressure, and problem solve.
• Serve as primary substitute host for “Morning Edition” and perform other additional on-air hosting responsibilities as necessary.
• Develop and demonstrate strong knowledge of current regional news issues.
• Mentor new news reporters and interns as a part of the onboarding process.
• Other related duties as assigned.
   

Interested applicants must apply online at https://employment.stlawu.edu/postings/3724 uploading all required materials which are defined in the “special instructions to applicant” section.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position should be directed to David Sommerstein, Director of Local News & Content, david@ncpr.org.
 
All offers of employment are contingent upon the finalist successfully passing a background (including criminal records) check.
 
NCPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Find us at https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong background in journalism and excellent writing skills for radio and digital platforms. Minimum two years on-air public radio news experience.
• Desire and ability to develop a deep knowledge of and passion for the North Country region, including its history, culture, and ecology.
• Ability to work various hours, including weekends, depending on the needs of the news department.
• Valid Driver’s license and vehicle to drive to news coverage assignments.

 
Preferred Qualifications

• Experience live hosting a news program and/or newscast, with a compelling, trustworthy on-air personality. Familiarity working with a control room broadcast board preferred.
• Proficiency with audio editing systems, such as Adobe Audition, and gathering high-quality audio in the field.
• Strong photography and/or video skills, or expertise in multi-media skills, such as visual journalism, data-based reporting, and social media engagement, are a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field preferred, but equivalent amount of education and experience will be considered.

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