Producer II, Planet Money Summer School (Temporary)

OVERVIEW

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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.

Help us make Planet Money Summer School 2025! This is Planet Money’s annual 8 episode summer series where we adapt excerpts from classic episodes and pair them with updates, and in depth conversations about the more academic side of economics, all in a lighthearted frame. If you’re unfamiliar, you can listen to previous seasons here. This is a fixed-term job.

We’re looking for an experienced audio producer who can take ownership of a project, think in multiple episode story arcs, export a clean mix in Pro Tools and nerd out on economic concepts. It’s a chance to work with our highly collaborative team and see how we make episodes. You’ll drive the production process for Summer School to craft something that is meant to be heard right now, but also that  lives on indefinitely for educators. It takes strategic thinking and sharp editorial chops. And you’ll learn a bunch.

To apply please submit a cover letter - Give us a sense of your knowledge of Planet Money and of economics as a subject matter, or anything that might help you do this role well.

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

• Assist in scripting as needed.
• Conceive and execute creative sonic branding and segment continuity.
• Help make complicated economics simple and entertaining.
• Book guests as needed.
• Gather tape as needed. 
• Propose questions and interview outlines for host tape gathering.
• Cut interviews down to time.
• Coordinates the production and updating of programming.
• Collaborate with hosts to identify just the right set of episodes.
• Cut, edit and mix episodes of the show with guidance from producers and reporters.
• Participate in group edits, offering ideas and suggestions for improving drafts.
• Gather field tape and “found sound” from online and other sources.
• Assist with live events, if applicable. 
• Conduct research on show topics.
• Produce content for digital media, including writing and scheduling social media posts, writing web copy and newsletters, and interactive web elements. 
• Contribute to the overall journalism of the team generally.
• Assist in coordinating workflow scheduling and communication with other units of NPR as needed to execute the show.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

• While we value formal education, especially in the subject matter we cover, we do not believe a degree is a predictor of success for this role. As such, we do not have an education requirement for this position. 

WORK LOCATION

• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the Washington, DC office at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to handle more than one assignment at a time and prioritize, anticipate and communicate effectively.
• Experience in podcasting and/or radio broadcasting.
• Ability to edit audio decisively, on deadline in Pro Tools.
• Experience in a news environment or working experience in the field of economics.
• Strong storytelling sensibilities, an ability to identify anecdotes that can bring a larger idea or research finding to life, able to restructure a story to enhance clarity and flow.
• Experience and demonstrated commitment to fact checking.
• Demonstrated ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
• 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.
• Cultivate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• Cultivate and support an inclusive and equitable workplace culture

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Economics knowledge, or political economy knowledge.
• Ability to use recording equipment to gather field sound.
• A natural interest in news.
• An economics, business or finance background or at least a curiosity in the subject matter.
• A practiced instinct for social media.
• Ambition and interest in improving our web and social media presence.
• Digital media skills, including proficiency in social media as a news gathering technique.
• Sound design skills.
• A knowledge of narrative audio.

JOB TYPE

• This is a temporary (~4-month) part-time position.

COMPENSATION

Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $50.48 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. 

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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