Morning Producer & Reporter

Job Description

WHO WE ARE:
Serving the country’s fifth-largest media market, KERA reaches more than 5 million people monthly through KERA TV, KERA News, KXT, WRR and The Denton Record-Chronicle. For more than 60 years, North Texans have turned to KERA as a destination for community engagement and lifelong learning.

As we seek to recognize and reflect our audience and communities, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and points of view to consider employment opportunities at KERA.
 
 
POSITION SUMMARY:
KERA’s morning team is responsible for producing timely and accurate content across platforms: newscasts, web, email and social. When it launches, producing content for KERA’s Local Show will be fully integrated into that process.

The Morning Reporter/Producer plays a key role in providing in-the-moment news to audiences across platforms as they start their day. This person will work closely with our Local Show Managing Producer, senior editor, hosts and reporters to shape North Texas’ top stories for KERA’s news platforms in the mornings. Duties for this position will evolve as KERA builds and launches its Local Show. Along with the Morning Newscaster and Local Show Managing Producer, the Morning Producer will serve as a point of contact for the KERA newsroom as the day begins and is integral in setting the news agenda each day and covering breaking news as it develops.

We’re looking for a strong digital journalist who’s also comfortable recording radio interviews and going live on air. On-air experience and audio editing capabilities are not a requirement for this job, but the ideal candidate will have experience in those areas or the ability to quickly develop those skills.

The Morning Reporter/Producer is a non-exempt position eligible for overtime who reports to KERA’s managing editor. In the mornings, the position to the Senior Editor/Morning Newscaster and the Local Show Managing Producer during Morning Edition. The expected hours of work are ~5am until early afternoon.


WHAT YOU’LL DO:
 

• Use sound editorial judgement and pay close attention to detail.
• Write accurate, concise and compelling news copy across radio and digital platforms, with an emphasis on quick-turn reporting delivered with context and creativity.
• Think creatively with the digital audience team about the best ways to present, publish and tell these stories and engage audiences with the content. Source audio, images and news stories for use online, on-air and in email and podcast products. Conduct interviews, book guests and seek sources.
• Generate story ideas through research of social media, news wires, websites and contacts.
• Stay current on local and statewide news, politics, and events through social media, news wires, websites and contacts and generate story ideas.
• Crate hand-off information for the afternoon team and keep communication flowing across teams.
• Update and share current information and planning documents with collaborative partners – e.g.  The Texas Newsroom, Fort Worth Report.
• Produce or fill in for our morning newsletter, Wake Up with KERA, and other email products as needed.
• Participate in fundraising and engagement activities as assigned.
• Participate in extensive training opportunities in the newsroom, in departments across KERA and across the state with The Texas Newsroom. 
   

As a KERA employee: 

• Work in a manner that is consistent with KERA’s mission, vision and values; and maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned. 
   

This list of job duties is not exhaustive and is subject to regular reviews and updates.



 

Job Requirements

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL:
We believe a strong organization includes employees from a range of backgrounds, with different skills, experiences and passions. If you don't meet every job qualification but have some of these skills and think you’re the right person for the job, we'd like to hear from you. Please apply and tell us more about yourself.

 

• Passionate and enthusiastic about journalism in North Texas, with at least 2-3 years of Production experience, with proven ability to handle content from multiple sources.
• Nimble, fast writer able to distill complex topics into Local Show Content and newscast items.
• Exercises sound news judgment and generates factual, error-free copy quickly, including in breaking news situations.
• Strong content editing/proofreading abilities with knowledge of AP style.
   

Collaboration, Community, Technical

• Works with others to create detailed, easy-to-understand plans.
• Works with internal and external content providers to create, edit and post a variety of digital media, including audio, images and video.
• May be called on to create and curate social media streams and communities.
• Basic HTML and/or CSS experience

 


BONUS IF YOU BRING:

• Radio and/or online experience 
• Experience with email service providers like Mailchimp, Emma or Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

 
SALARY RANGE:
 $58,000-$60,000 annually, depending on experience.


BENEFITS

• Generous vacation (3 weeks), sick (8 days), personal time (2 days) and holidays (11)
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
• KERA-paid short and long-term disability, basic life insurance and AD&D insurance
• Flexible scheduling and hybrid work environment
• 401k plan with KERA-contribution after 6 months
• Robust employee assistance program available to the employee and all members of their household
• Strong company culture focused on connection, belonging and professional growth
   

LOCATION:
We expect that this position will work out of our Dallas office in Fair Park at least 75% of the time.  


HOW TO APPLY:
 

• Complete the application on KERA’s employment page.
• Add an optional cover letter indicating why you’re excited about joining the KERA team.
  
   

APPLICATION TIMELINE:
We generally close roles 2-4 weeks after posting. The hiring process may continue for several weeks after the closing of the role depending on the number of applicants.


KERA is an Equal Opportunity Employer 
KERA believes that diversity is important to our success. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

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