Senior Editor, Documentary Visuals Editor

OVERVIEW

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.

The power of visuals is undeniable. 

The primary duties of this job are to conceptualize, assign and produce photography and video for NPR features and stories for on- and off-platform publishing including NPR’s online visuals column, Picture Show.

The Visuals team at NPR works across all of our content areas, news, programming, music and podcasts. The Documentary Photography Editor will help develop and deliver images for all platforms including NPR.org, Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok. The position will require the ability to think both quickly and expansively about photography, illustration and video. Ideal candidates will bring experience in photo and/or video editing, workflow management, evidence of innovative visual expression, and a belief in the value of daily news coverage. This candidate must be a team player. This editor will help imagine and translate NPR’s distinctive journalism to new and diverse audiences on all platforms. 

This position may require working nights, weekends and holidays as needed. This position reports to the Director of NPR Visuals. This is a limited term position and ends Sept. 30, 2026.

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

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.    

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Produce, shoot and/or edit photography and/or video for visual platforms, clearly communicating the vision, project goals, narrative scope and timeline for each production.
• Pitch and commission ideas for photo and/or video for NPR’s online visual column, Picture Show.
• Discover and develop new photo projects from photographers, photo agencies, galleries, and book publishers
• Work with photographers, agencies, vendors, and the company's licensing and business departments to create budgets, expedite contracts, and oversee invoices in a timely manner
• Collaborate with reporters, editors, producers, visual editors and photographers to shape ideas into visual narratives for desk and shows.
• Represent diverse voices and views in visual storytelling.
• Demonstrate strong editorial judgment, working with NPR editors, standards and practices and legal department for all ethical, legal and copyrights questions.
• Coordinate with security teams to ensure preparation, training and safety for photographers in the field.
• Attend department, desk and show meetings for partnerships and collaborations.
• Takes responsibility for more advanced photography tasks, where applicable, including many layers of coordination, logistics & travel, creativity, and sensitivity in the storytelling.
• Work with a wide range of photographers, visual journalists, animators and illustrators.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7 years of experience assigning, editing and producing photo assignments for media organizations.
• A strong portfolio of work that demonstrates artistic judgment and creativity.
• Knowledge of photography and experience working with assignment photographers.
• Thorough understanding of photo rights and clearance and the ability to uphold and communicate the standards and practices across NPR. Expertise handling electronic images, photographic usage and copyright issues.
• Proven experience working with visual journalists in the field on assignment.
• Ability to provide logistical support and planning to photographers.
• Proficiency in content management tools, Adobe Creative Suite including Premier and Photoshop.
• Experience with collaborating with security teams.
• Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at Company and within the public radio system.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge of online video, photography, writing and audio production.
• Experience and skill with digital publishing software.
• Experience producing on digital video and audio workstations.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with a specialization in film, video, media production, photography or journalism preferred.

WORK LOCATION

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

JOB TYPE

• This is a full-time, limited term position.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $125,000 - $135,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries 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. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

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