Senior Reporter/Editor

Job Description

KUNM is looking for an experienced journalist to join our newsroom as a Senior Reporter and editor. This is a unique opportunity to create meaningful, impactful journalism in a vibrant and culturally rich region.

About the Position

The Senior Reporter will work daily to create long-form features and short spots for radio with accompanying digital stories. They will also engage audiences through our website and social media channels. The Senior Reporter will mentor other reporters and provide editorial leadership in the News Director's absence. They will also do regular editing sessions with reporters when the News Director is unavailable.

This role also involves community engagement, occasional travel within New Mexico, and participation in station fundraising efforts.

Who Should Apply?

We are looking for a journalist who:

• Has strong news judgment and a passion for public service journalism

• Can translate complex topics clearly while maintaining nuance

• Has experience with investigative reporting techniques

• Values equity-focused reporting and seeks to amplify diverse voices

Why Work and Live in Albuquerque?

New Mexico is a one-of-a-kind place for journalists, offering a deep well of stories to cover—from Indigenous and Hispanic cultural traditions to innovative policy solutions, environmental challenges, and a rapidly evolving political landscape.

Albuquerque, the state's largest city, is known for:

• Affordable cost of living compared to many major metro areas

• More than 300 days of sunshine annually, with access to outdoor activities like hiking, rafting, skiing, and climbing

• A rich arts and music scene alongside world-renowned events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

• A welcoming and diverse community

About KUNM News

Mission Statement: KUNM news works on behalf of New Mexicans to help them understand systemic issues that impact their lives. Our coverage is accessible, accurate, and relevant. The voices and stories we amplify reflect the spirit, diversity, and cultural richness of the state. We report the truth, hold the powerful accountable, and welcome engagement with our audience. We work to inform and delight our audience.

KUNM has a strong tradition of award-winning journalism that highlights underrepresented voices and holds institutions accountable. Our newsroom prioritizes storytelling through the voices of real people, not just officials and policymakers.

We serve a diverse audience of nearly 100,000 listeners weekly across more than 100 communities in northern and central New Mexico. As part of the University of New Mexico, KUNM employees enjoy competitive benefits, including:

• Paid family medical leave

• Generous vacation and sick leave

• Tuition benefits for employees and dependents

• A competitive retirement plan

• A flexible work environment

How to Apply

To apply, click here or visit the UNM employment website (https://unmjobs.unm.edu/) and search for req35332.

Join us and help bring essential news to the people of New Mexico!

Job Requirements

Summary

Spearheads the newsroom's most critical and high-impact stories, providing in-depth reporting. Collects, analyzes, and verifies information to produce, voice, and edit in-depth news stories for broadcast and online publication. This role simplifies complex topics for a general audience, regularly breaks news, and delivers exclusive, enterprise reporting. The Senior Reporter will mentor other reporters and provide editorial leadership in the News Director's absence. Conducts regular editing sessions with reporters when the News Director is unavailable.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Pitches original and timely news stories by evaluating leads, tips, and assignments. Regularly produces breaking news, exclusive scoops, and enterprise reporting, effectively explaining complex topics to a general audience.
2. Gathers and verifies information through interviews, observation, and research, demonstrating expertise in a specific news beat (e.g., public health, state government) when assigned. Explains complex subjects to a general audience, consistently breaking news and producing exclusive, in-depth enterprise reporting.
3. Builds and maintains relationships with diverse sources, including public officials, administrators, researchers, and community leaders. Delivers live reports from event sites, mobile broadcast units, or in-studio as needed.
4. Develops story framing, writes features, two-ways, spot news, and cut-and-copies, adhering to KUNM editorial style and format.
5. Records and edits audio from pre-recorded broadcast-ready features, two-ways, and spots, ensuring high-quality production.
6. Creates supplementary content, including photographs or video, to enhance stories. Develops digital and social media posts, expanding online stories into more in-depth coverage. Provides live reports from event sites or in-studio and may guide live coverage, including special events such as Election Nights.
7. Hosts and produces news programs, conducting interviews with guests. Leads the newsroom's response to major breaking news events, providing authoritative and timely coverage.
8. Provides mentorship to other reporters, including student employees, offering guidance on complex projects. Assumes editorial leadership by leading meetings and overseeing coverage when the News Director is unavailable.
9. Actively participates in KUNM fundraising efforts.
10. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to write and produce broadcast-quality audio and digital news stories.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment while maintaining accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of journalistic principles, ethics, standards, and techniques.
• Skill in the use of journalistic research, methods, and techniques.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and solid news judgment.
• Familiarity with audio storytelling and audio editing.
• Advanced skills in explaining complex subjects to a general audience.
• Strong enterprise reporting abilities and experience breaking news.
• Leadership and mentoring abilities to train staff and student employees.

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